If you run a pizza restaurant and want to offer delivery, then it is worth spending the time to ensure you do delivery right. Customers want their pizza delivered hot and on-time, and you want your delivery drivers to be safe and efficient. So how can you streamline and optimize your pizza delivery services? Start with these tips.
Provide cars for your drivers.
Some pizza shops require delivery drivers to use their own vehicles and pay those drivers a stipend for use of their vehicles. One problem with this approach is that employees' cars are not always reliable. Plus, many people are not willing to put miles on their own cars to deliver pizzas, so your employee pool will be limited. You'll have a more efficient pizza delivery service if you provide vehicles for your drivers. Purchase a few fuel-efficient cars, have them painted with your business logo, and hire people with clean driving records to drive them. Your drivers are less likely to have a car break down on the way to a delivery, and you'll have an easier time hiring good, reliable drivers.
Try out various packaging options.
The packaging you use has a huge impact on the state of your pizza when it reaches the customer. You need packaging that keeps your pizza warm, but that also breathes a little so it does not let the food get soggy. Order a few types of packaging, and try them out before sending pizzas out in them. Let a pizza sit in each package for 20 minutes, and see which pizza is the warmest and most crisp after that time. Use that packaging for all of your deliveries.
Under-promise when giving delivery time estimates.
If you tell a customer their pizza will be delivered in 30 minutes and it takes 35, they're going to be upset. But if you tell them it will take 40 minutes and it only takes 35, they're going to be pleased with your faster-than-expected service. So, when estimating delivery times for customers, you should always under-promise. If you're really busy and you think your drivers might be delayed, you can even offer a delivery range. For instance, you can be honest with customers and say that you're really busy tonight but can have that to you in 45 to 60 minutes." This way, your customers know what to expect.
Keep these tips in mind to start your pizza delivery service.