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Ordering Made Easy As Pie

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The Wall Street Journal

The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 29, 2008

Pizza chains are offering even more ways to satisfy your carb cravings. Now instead of just picking up the phone, pizza eaters can order a pie digitally - over the Web, through cell phone applications and even via Facebook, a social-networking site. Moreover, couch potatoes can order a Dominos pizza from their TV by using the broadband TiVo service available to subscribers.

We tested some of these ordering methods to see whether technology offers an edge when ordering slices.
Pizza Hut Via Facebook

To Order: We typed "Pizza Hut" in the Facebook search box, then filled out a one-time registration form. The application allowed us to choose a specialty pizza or build our pie by choosing from a list of toppings. We also had the option of entering a credit-card number.

The Result: The pizza arrived at our apartment, albeit eight minutes later than the time given in the confirmation e-mail. To the relief of the testers, Pizza Hut's application doesn't notify our Facebook friends that we ordered a stuffed-crust pizza with pepperoni and mushrooms.

Papa John's Via Text

To Order: At www.papajohns.com, we entered our user information and set our "favorites" - the pizzas and other menu items we most often order for pickup or delivery. The next day, we sent a text message to Papa John's, typing FAV2 - indicating we wanted to order the second of our four favorites for pickup. A second message was sent to confirm the order, and another message was received to give the estimated delivery time. A person at the local Papa John's also called to confirm that we wanted the pie.

The Result: The setup and pickup went seamlessly - our specified pie, a thin-crust white pizza, awaited us at our local Papa John's.

Domino's Via TiVo

To Order: Because of the one-time setup, ordering was a little more time-consuming than we anticipated. After scrolling through and selecting our menu choices, we entered our personal information using the TiVo remote. Shortly after placing the order, the Domino's driver called our house to verify directions and let us know he was leaving with the pizza soon.

The Result: The pizza arrived on schedule and was made to our specifications. This was our most-complicated order, a 14-inch pizza with mushrooms on the whole pizza, black olives on one half and green peppers on the other half.

Our Conclusion

We're left to ask if digital ordering makes life simpler. Anyway you slice it, there's still work involved with the one-time setup. But it may be worth it, for the convenience, the accuracy and occasional coupons and discounts offered for online orders. Those who are comfortable with technology and multi-tasking may be going back for seconds.

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