Grab a slice of these numbers! Americans sure do love their pizza. Some quick math shows we are consuming approximately 4.1 million pizzas a day. And nearly half of all pizza sales comes from carryout and delivery — in the ballpark of 20 billion dollars per year. That’s a lot of sauce!

Close to 80% of consumers order pies from places they’ve been usually many times before, so familiarity and engaging return business is key. Also, just under 50% order extra amounts to save for leftovers, meaning there’s real opportunity to increase ticket sizes.

Pie-Charting Delivery

Let’s break down how people order pizza:

• A whopping 40% still call in orders (this skews heavily toward boomers) — maintaining a delivery phone line remains crucial.
• Millennials are more likely to order through an app, with 28% of the public using this method.
• 24%, primarily Gen X, are inclined to order through your website.

A common refrain among pizza patrons is that they want more available coupons/deals to help them place more orders. At the same time, more than 50% of consumers are not enrolled in a loyalty program, suggesting you can capture more customers by offering them incentives.

Next Gen

Tech savvy and much more flexible than previous generations as far as where/when they eat pizza or how they order, younger guests are critical to your long-term success. They love late-night pizza snacking, causing many restaurants to reevaluate hours and nighttime logistics. Their interest in delivery advancements will only grow over time. Here are some priorities of these younger gens that may benefit your business:

• Favorite orders automatically saved for rapid reorders
• Delivery vehicles with portable ovens
• Pizza boxes that break down into usable plates
• GPS order tracking

Heard Around the Table

Most delivery pizza is consumed directly out of the pizza box, after a wait. Addressing concerns from the kitchen to the front door can help you dial up repeat orders. For example, it’s essential to monitor consumer feedback. Promoting one of your staff to a guest relations role to address any concerns shows you are responsive and on top of things.

You may also want to establish an in-house taste testing process for quality control. Setting up the kitchen for prime pizza-making starts with items like Ultimo!® pre-rolled pizza crusts or frozen doughballs, and adding shredded low-moisture mozzarella to a universally loved Roma® sauce can lower the time from order to door.

It’s vital to keep the pizza as warm as possible and negate any sogginess. Roma Crown Pizza Boxes are built to withstand the heat and moisture from freshly baked pies, keeping them warm and intact during delivery. With a branded thank you message to spotlight service, these boxes work for pizzerias seeking affordable, imported, eco-friendly options.

A Pizza-Party Package

Pizza is a group activity. Package deals with the ability to choose-your-own adventure creates a “something for everyone” appeal. Customization of toppings, crusts, and sauces can be attractive to those with multiple dietary restrictions and budgets. The ability to swap between styles like thick or thin crusts, flavors like spicy or traditional sauces, and international vs. classic toppings makes it easier to satisfy larger groups with ease.