Curbside service has been all the rage in recent months as a wide range of restaurant companies look to adjust their service models during the coronavirus pandemic.
That includes chains with otherwise strong sales. On Monday, Domino’s Pizza announced new Carside Delivery service with contactless carryout at its locations throughout the U.S.
Customers can choose the service when they make a prepaid online order. Once they make their selection, they add their vehicle color, make and model so workers can identify the car, and also indicate where they would like the order placed.
Once customers arrive at the store, they hit the “I’m here” button on the Domino’s Tracker page or reply “Here” by text.
The service is available from 4-9 p.m., though additional hours could vary by location. The service “gives customers the option to stay in their vehicle while a team member delivers the order to them, making for a convenient, contactless carryout experience,” Dennis Maloney, Domino’s chief innovation officer, said in a statement.
The move comes even though Domino’s overall sales have thrived during the pandemic as consumers opted to order more delivery. Same-store sales have risen 14% between March 23 and May 17.
Yet the pizza giant has been pushing carryout aggressively in recent years, seeking to target customers who avoid delivery and prefer the lower-cost option. Domino’s has remodeled stores to target this group and more recently has started “fortressing” markets by building new locations closer together, a move largely aimed at carryout customers.
It also started advertising “carryout insurance” this year for customers whose pizzas are damaged as diners bring them home.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.