Wanna make a BILLION bucks? Sell pizza!

[Marcia]

This is amazing. And to think I still use the hang tags the local yokels leave on my doorknob with coupon specials to order out for pizza.

Papa John's surpasses $1 billion in online pizza sales [news.wired.com]

I am sooo... out of it and behind the times that it's embarrassing.

<edit>Fixed formatting boo-boo.</edit>

[edited by: Marcia at 4:53 pm (utc) on May 8, 2008]

[pageoneresults]

Papa John's said more than 20 percent of its sales come from online or through text messaging, an option it introduced last year. The company said text sales are meeting expectations, but it didn't provide specifics.

Hehehe, text messaging and ordering pizza. What has the world come to? :)

I'm working on a project now that ties in with an online dining reservations system. I'll tell ya what, those who thought ahead of the game here and developed those nifty little online ordering interfaces did the right thing. They've developed a niche for themselves.

Since launching its Web-based ordering in 2001, Papa John's said it has invested more than $15 million in online ordering technology.

So, I can't build something like this for the local pizza shop. :(

No need to, there are already online ordering services established out there that you just plug your business and menu right into. It ties in with your payment processing system and works just fine. ;)

[LifeinAsia]

Now, if you also could get paid for AdSense ads displayed on the pizza box when it's delivered...

[mcavic]

So, I can't build something like this for the local pizza shop

Sure you can. I don't know what they spent $15 million on, but you can design a site with a custom ordering system, plug it in to a credit card processor, and probably be up and running in a month, if you're working full time.

[jimbeetle]

Now, if you also could get paid for AdSense ads displayed on the pizza box when it's delivered..

Some guys tried something like that in Manhattan a few years ago, lasted about 6 months. Execution was poor and, of course, it was kind of hard to click on the ads ;-).

[Marcia]

if you also could get paid for AdSense ads displayed on the pizza box when it's delivered..

Let's not give Google any ideas, OK? That could end up being their next Beta.

Execution was poor...

I thought execution is what happens in NYC after dark if you go out on the street. See how clandestine our perceptions can be?

[Syzygy]

Impressive figures gained and well deserved through a commitment to both the future and technology - lessons many businesses could learn from. Perhaps the pizza industry rivals and possibly surpasses the pron industry for its abilities to adapt and innovate!

A couple of things though...

Customers can place online orders up to 21 days in advance.

Uh? Do people really do that, and if so, why?

"Being able to log in and do it versus trying to talk over a baby crying or a 2 1/2-year-old that's running around the house is probably one of the main reasons I like to order that way"...

It's not right to ignore your children's pleas to lay off the anchovies!

Syzygy

[jimbeetle]

The only thing I don't like about ordering online, especially something like pizza, is that they can't really hear the stress as to how you want it. Sure, you can write *well done* please, but it doesn't always seem to get the point across. Kudos to Papa John's if it's been able to get its staff to follow through on stuff like this.

[ken_b]

>>> Customers can place online orders up to 21 days in advance.

>>> Uh? Do people really do that, and if so, why?

Special occasions might be one time. And an accountant might place a standing order for one day a week for lunch for the staff during the month or so before April 15 (US tax day), just as another example.

[Syzygy]

Special occasions might be one time.

Pizza a special occasion? What sort? :-)

[webfoo]

Dang! Why Didn't I make a billion bucks? I sell code. Pizza is like a code, right?

[Rugles]

you have to sell good pizza, which Papa Johns does