No matter which way you slice it, pizza delivery has changed forever.
Over the years, Domino's Pizza has been expanding its delivery methods, implementing cutting-edge (no pun intended) technology to improve efficiency and customer service. You can already design and create your own pizza, order via SMS and track your meal online and towards the end of this year, some lucky Kiwis will experience store-to-door drone deliveries.
Domino's has embraced technology, arguably more than most of the global financial industry. For example, in Australia, there are seven different ways to order electronically: its website, mobile site, accessible site, through Facebook, and via its iOS, Android and iPad apps.
We've done some research to highlight five interesting ways Domino's has enhanced delivery options for its hungry customers.
1. Drone deliveries
Earlier this week, Domino's partnered with drone delivery company Flirtey to launch the world's first Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approved commercial drone delivery service.
Trial store-to-door deliveries from a selected Domino's New Zealand store are expected to commence later this year, with plans to extend the dimensions, weight and distance of deliveries throughout the trial based on results and customer feedback.
We have invested heavily to provide our stores with different delivery fleet options such as electric scooters, e-bikes and even the Domino’s Robotic Unit - DRU that we launched earlier this year... We've always said that it doesn't make sense to have a 2-tonne machine delivering a 2-kilo order.
- Domino's Group CEO and managing director Don Meij.
2. Self-driving delivery robot
Domino’s Robotic Unit (DRU) is fully autonomous and can reach speeds of up to 20 kilometres per hour.
The bot, which is still a few years away from implementation in Australia, travels unassisted to delivery locations using GPS tracking technology powered by Google Maps.
Lifehacker's Chris Jager describes it as "a $30k military-grade robot refitted for pizza delivery".
3. Pizza Chef
Ever wanted to create your very own pizza? Domino's lets you build one from scratch or customise existing designs and have it delivered. Anything on the menu can be added by simply dragging and dropping the different ingredients on your selected base.
The interactive tool relays instructions to store workers about your order, including which ingredients should be layered and when, so the visual representation should be fairly accurate.
Not only is it fun, it's also incredibly inventive and allows customers to order pizzas exactly as they like, providing a great point of difference.
Originally, this option was only available via the iPad app, however, it's now applicable on most mobile devices.
4. SMS ordering
Taking convenience a step further, Aussie pizza lovers can order their last pizza or "fast favourite" in just a few seconds by texting the word "pizza" or the pizza emoji to Domino's SMS Ordering service.
Once the SMS is sent, Domino's will fire back a confirmation text with the order details and when you reply "yes" the order is placed and you can track it via the Domino's real-time tracking platforms - Live Pizza Tracker and GPS Driver Tracker.
5. Delivery vehicle tracking
Domino's Live Pizza Tracker displays a wheel which lets you know when your pizza is being made, when it's in the oven cooking, when it's ready in store for pick up, leaving the store for delivery and when your order is complete.
Domino's GPS Driver Tracker allows you to see where you pizza is during the delivery process. You can even watch the specific route the driver takes to bring you your hot, delicious pizza.
It also keeps drivers safe, with Domino's reporting a 50% reduction in road incidents since the app was launched. Both trackers are available for download on Google Play, the Apple App Store and Windows Store.
Pizza is unarguably one of Australia's favourite takeaway options. But in terms of popularity, Domino's dominates, securing the biggest slice of the local market.
Get great discounts off your next pizza order from your local Domino’s by using these promo codes, vouchers and coupons.
Picture: Ken Wolter / Shutterstock.com