Pizza is one of the most popular food items in the world. This is why it’s important to stay abreast of the latest trends that could have an impact on your business.
Keeping an eye on industry trends, such as pizza vending machines, is critical for both chains and independent pizzerias. In this article, we’ll explore some of the key predictions and trends for the pizza industry in 2023.
1. Robotics
Robots are already a fixture of some restaurants, with machines completing basic tasks like flipping burgers and frying chips. But the industry is about to get a lot more interesting: robotic pizza makers are emerging that churn out pies at faster and cheaper rates than humans. They may eventually be the technology that drives the restaurant industry forward.
The idea of a robot making pizza for people might sound far-fetched, but engineers have been working on it for a while now. These machines stretch the dough, apply tomato sauce and sprinkle cheese and toppings without human intervention.
A startup, Picnic, has a pizza maker that can produce up to 130 pies an hour. That means the company’s pizzas can be delivered to customers at a lower cost than traditional pizza restaurants.
It also offers an opportunity for restaurant owners to reduce labor costs, a big concern in an economy where wages are falling and businesses can’t afford to hire fewer people. And since pizza is a staple, it’s the perfect early target for automation because it’s so easy to program.
In fact, a robot-powered mobile pizzeria is set to launch in Los Angeles in 2022. The concept is pretty much the same as a prototype unveiled by Pizza Hut in 2018: robot chefs prepare pizzas inside delivery vehicles, which then deliver them to customers.
But while these robots are a boon for many restaurant operators, they’ll also face some consumer skepticism. In fact, a recent study found that 32% of consumers would be OK with robots making their pizza but want to see them in action before buying one.
The skepticism may be justified, especially in this phase of the automation revolution. But as more restaurants and brands incorporate supplementary robotics into their operations, the technology could help independent businesses find a competitive edge.
2. Drones
Drones are becoming a popular way to deliver food and other goods. While they may not be as efficient as using a human driver to get food delivered, drones have several advantages, such as being eco-friendly and faster.
In New Zealand, Domino’s has been testing drone deliveries for pizza at its Whangaparaoa location. This test is aimed at cutting down delivery times and costs.
Aside from helping to cut down on delivery time, drones are also a good way to deliver food that is not easily accessible by traditional methods. For example, drone delivery is the perfect solution if you live in a remote area and can’t drive to the nearest Domino’s.
While drones are an important part of the future of the pizza industry, many safety and privacy concerns need to be addressed. For starters, drones must be tested and approved before they can take flight.
There are also questions about size, weight restrictions, and noise. Drones also have a tendency to become vulnerable to bad weather.
Finally, a large percentage of consumers are concerned about the potential for privacy issues. Some drones come equipped with cameras, which could raise privacy concerns for some customers.
There are several other ways to use drones to deliver food. One of these is the kitchen-to-sever approach, which uses drones to transport items from the restaurant’s kitchen to the dining room. In this approach, the drones have sensors and stereo-vision cameras to help them avoid hitting people and property.
3. In-Vehicle Ordering
Domino’s Pizza is taking its tech to the next level with in-vehicle ordering. It’s the first time a pizza chain has launched a system that works without a smartphone, according to the company.
The company partnered with Xevo Inc., an in-vehicle e-commerce platform allowing customers to place food orders, hotel reservations, and more from the car’s touchscreen interface. Millions of GM vehicles and some Hyundai models will have the software preloaded later this year.
Once the app is installed, drivers will be able to order their favorite Domino’s pizza via their vehicle’s infotainment screen. They can then track their order using the Domino’s Tracker feature and find a nearby store if they want to pick it up.
To use the system, users must set up a profile with Domino’s, including their preferred delivery address and payment method information. Once they’ve done that, they can link their profile with Chevrolet Marketplace, an in-car e-commerce system that works independently of the driver’s mobile device.
Alternatively, drivers can also place their orders through the company’s mobile app. The app will then send the order to a fleet of pizza preparation and delivery vehicles dispatched to customer locations by radio signals.
This technology is still in its infancy, but it could be a big game changer for pizza chains and the consumers who enjoy them. It will help them reach more people faster and increase their sales. And it’s a great solution for busy customers who simply don’t have time to pick up a pizza from the store. In addition, the new technology will allow customers to choose a time for their delivery that works with their schedule.
4. Automation
Automation focuses on technology that can minimize labor to improve productivity and efficiency. According to the Association of Business Process Architects, it can also be used to increase customer service and enhance product quality.
The restaurant industry has been exploring new technologies to help employees work faster and more efficiently. Companies are experimenting with voice-ordering systems, robotic coffee-brewing equipment, and other technologies claiming to make operations smoother.
Pizza operators may be especially interested in technology that can minimize the repetitive, manual tasks staff must perform to get orders ready for delivery. One company, Picnic, offers a pizza assembly station that enables a single kitchen worker to produce up to 100 pizzas an hour.
Besides improving efficiency, the system eliminates the time it takes to assemble pizzas and can also cut down on waste. Additionally, data on ingredient consumption and customer ordering patterns can be used to make smart purchasing and marketing decisions.
Another example of automation is a system that allows customers to order their pizzas by voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Home. These services can then send the orders directly to a pizzeria’s POS system, saving time and helping to improve accuracy.
Other automation innovations include the use of robots to prep, cook and deliver pies. Miso Robotics, which raised $108 million in 2018, is developing a robotic chicken wing maker and a burger flipper that can be rented for less than $3,000 a month.
But automation has its challenges as well. It can create a culture shift for workers and can be a costly investment. The technology also doesn’t work everywhere. During a June earnings call, McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said total automation isn’t a realistic goal for the company.
5. Personalized Experiences
One of the most powerful technologies for pizza businesses today is personalized experiences. Whether it’s using data to understand customer behavior and preferences, designing a mobile app, or offering rewards, the ability to deliver customized communications and offers is an increasingly important factor in winning repeat business and increasing loyalty.
While many restaurants capture lots of customer information, many aren’t leveraging that data to create competitively differentiating experiences. Dominos is an excellent example of a brand that’s able to leverage data by allowing customers to share their preferences.
Similarly, Starbucks has leveraged data to offer unique and customized product offers that match their customers’ interests. And Pizza Hut uses a variety of data points to personalize the experience for every customer – including their dining preferences, dietary restrictions, and party size.
To drive revenue and improve loyalty, Pizza Hut needed a more sophisticated approach to customer engagement that would allow it to deliver personalized campaigns at scale across all channels. Its marketing team needed to connect self-reported data to real-time behavior data and then create differentiated journeys based on lifecycle stages and loyalty status.
With the support of Emarsys, Pizza Hut was able to implement an agile automation platform that provided a single customer view and deep customer insights. This allowed them to quickly identify opportunities for targeted campaigns that could increase customer lifetime value (CLTV) and loyalty.
With the power of personalized experiences, a pizza restaurant can create an individualized experience that builds relationships and delivers consistent outcomes through every stage of the customer journey. Using this approach, pizza brands can build their customer’s trust and loyalty, grow their sales and revenue, and boost overall profitability.
