A new way to takeaway: How much money could YOU save?

New research from Chicago Town, reveals the real cost of saving for Christmas, with almost two thirds of those polled (58%) saying that money pressures in the lead up to Christmas can impact their mood.

But, the average UK takeaway fan could save over £100* in the five weeks leading up to Christmas with one in ten (11%) saving as much as £150**, thanks to a new online calculator launched by the UK’s number one frozen pizza brand. And all without compromising on great takeaway taste.

And, for one UK city Christmas came early! To mark the launch of the calculator, a 25ft Christmas tree covered from top to bottom with REAL pizzas was erected in the centre of Birmingham. Not only the city crowned the takeaway capital of the UK earlier this year, with more takeaways ordered per head than any other *** but one that is also proudly twinned with Chicago Illinois, the inspiration behind the tasty frozen pizza brand.

The poll revealed that half of Brits (50%) admit to spending more money on takeaway over the festive season than the rest of the year. With the reasons given being; we’re busier tha ever (31%), we feel we deserve a tasty treat more at this time than any other (30%) or, that we’re more inclined to be socialising at home with others (26%).

It’s also a time when 49% worry that we’re spending so much extra that we’ll miss out on social occasions or have to go without our favourite food.

But the time for compromise is over. In just a few clicks, savvy shoppers can now find out just how much money a simple takeaway switch could save.

It’s not just price that prickles the nation when it’s time to talk takeaway.

Four out of five (81%) said they’d been disappointed by a meal they’d ordered in.

The biggest gripe of all with pizza takeaway is that it simply doesn’t taste great. Over six out of 10 (62%) said that was their number one disappointment.

More than four out of 10 (43%) said they got hungry and impatient waiting for their pizza to arrive. And over half (51%) complained it was cold by the time it finally reached them.

The UK-wide survey also looked at people’s takeaway habits and found a third (33%) didn’t get the portions they were expecting. Others said it wasn’t cooked they way they liked it, or the pizza delivered to their door looked nothing like the one advertised.

When it comes to that takeaway taste though, fans can get it at a fraction of the price. With boat loads of squishy signature sauce, a load of tasty cheesy goodness and loaded with toppings, Chicago Town Stuffed Crust Takeaway pizzas don’t compromise.

Generally speaking, Brits love their takeaways – with 59% saying they order in food at least once a week.

But the pizza bill for most (58%) get-togethers of family and friends is over £24.98 and one in five say it sets them back over £30. Half of those quizzed said they paid at least an extra £2 for delivery.

Chicago Town’s online calculator instantly adds up potential pizza savings, based on how many times a week customers order pizza, and how many people they’re feeding. For a limited time only, discount vouchers are also up grabs for those who try the calculator, meaning even more pizza pennies saved.

Thrifty influencer Gemma Bird partnered with Chicago Town. She tried it for herself and said: “My family and I switched our usual Saturday night pizza takeaway. The pizzas are full of taste and, we were blown away. Consider that with the savings we made and, we’re quids in for Christmas. We worked out on the Chicago Town Pizza Pennies calculator that we could save as much as £150 over the next five weeks.

“Christmas is such a magical time for everyone, particularly families but money troubles and making ends meet, particularly right now can give many of us sleepless nights. Making little changes like this can literally save families hundreds of pounds.”

Chicago Town spokesperson Rachel Bradshaw said: “We’re really pleased to share our calculator with the nation. It shows a simple switch to our Stuffed Crust Takeaway pizzas with frozen fresh dough, cooked for the first time in your oven, for that unrivalled pizza taste, could give you more money to spend on presents or to do the things you love at Christmas.

“But it’s not just money saved, it’s time too. And you get a delicious, tasty treat that’s packed to the crust with flavour and fully loaded with cheese, at a portion of the price.”