Technology
How Little Caesars' Pizza Portal aims to solve more than a few challenges
Little Caesars' chief development officer shares how the brand's latest innovation, Pizza Portal technology, will benefit customers as well as the brand.
November 8, 2023 by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group
Little Caesars has installed its proprietary Pizza Portal pickup in nearly all of the Detroit-based brand's U.S. stores. The tech uses heated, self-service mobile order pick-up stations and QR codes.
"We are constantly striving to enhance the guest experience for all customers no matter how they choose to access Little Caesars," David Scrivano, president and CEO of Little Caesars, said in a press release announcing the U.S. launch of Pizza Portal. "We remain deeply committed to our core pillars of value, convenience and quality, and are continually researching to understand what customers want, both now and in the future. We're using our Pizza Portal pickup and mobile app to expand our offerings, as well as evolve our business model in an increasingly diverse and digital marketplace."
Pizza Marketplace reached out to Jeremy Vitaro, chief development officer for Little Caesars, via email to learn how the Pizza Portal works and how it's putting the brand on the cutting edge.
Q:What is the Pizza Portal Technology and how does it impact the customer experience in terms of convenience and efficiency?
A:The Little Caesars Pizza Portal technology is a mobile order pickup system that enhances guest convenience and efficiency. Guests can place and pay for orders through their smartphones on the Little Caesars app, receive a unique QR code and use it to quickly retrieve their pizzas from a contactless, temperature-controlled portal, minimizing wait times and streamlining the pickup process, ultimately making it more convenient and efficient for guests.
Q:What specific challenges in the quick-service restaurant industry is Little Caesars aiming to address with its advanced technology initiatives?
A: Little Caesars aims to address challenges related to order efficiency, convenience and our guest experience in the quick-service restaurant industry through its advanced technology initiatives, such as the Pizza Portal. With the implementation of innovative technological solutions such as this, we aim to provide a faster and more streamlined pickup process. This reduces wait times and ensures guests can quickly and easily receive their orders, making the overall experience more convenient for both guests and employees.
Q: Can you provide more details about the features and functions of the Pizza Portal Technology and how it differs from traditional pickup methods?
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After ordering, guests receive a QSR they can use to pick up their pizzas from the heated boxes. Photo: Little Caesars |
A: In contrast to traditional pickup methods, the Little Caesars Pizza Portal streamlines the process, reduces wait times and provides a more convenient and contactless experience for guests. Overall, the Pizza Portal is a prime example of how technology can be integrated into the QSR industry to improve guest service and convenience.
- Mobile Ordering: Guests can place their orders using the Little Caesars mobile app or website, providing them with the convenience of ordering from their smartphones or computers.
- Customization: The Pizza Portal allows for the customization of pizza orders so that guests can specify their preferred toppings, crust types, sides, and other options.
- Prepayment: Payment for orders is typically made online when the order is placed, reducing the need for payment processing at the restaurant, which speeds up the pickup process.
- Unique QR Codes: When guests place their orders, they receive a unique QR code, which they can use to access their order from the Pizza Portal. This code is scanned at the restaurant, and it provides access to the specific order, ensuring security and accuracy.
- Convenience: The Pizza Portal provides a contactless pickup option, as guests do not need to interact with restaurant staff to receive their orders.
- Speed: The Pizza Portal is designed to be fast and efficient, reducing the time guests spend waiting for their orders. This is achieved through prepayment, QR code scanning and easy access to the order.
- Temperature Control: The Pizza Portal technology is equipped with a warming feature to ensure that the pizzas are kept at an optimal temperature until the guest arrives to pick them up. This helps maintain the quality of the food.
- Notification System: Guests receive notifications through the mobile app via Push, as well as email, when their order is ready for pickup. This minimizes wait times and ensures that the food is fresh when collected.
- Accessibility: The Pizza Portal is designed to be user-friendly and accessible to people with various levels of technological proficiency. It provides step-by-step instructions for pickup.
Q: How does Little Caesars plan to adapt to the evolving labor market and the challenges of hiring and training in the QSR industry?
A: Finding and retaining skilled staff is one the most pressing issues QSR concepts face, and as the labor market continues to evolve, Little Caesars recognizes the importance of innovative resources that will create sustainable solutions and support its workforce. Through implementing technology-driven solutions like automation, mobile ordering and the Pizza Portal, Little Caesars is not only addressing guests' needs but also reducing the necessity for direct guest interaction. This, in turn, enables our staff to prioritize providing efficient and convenient service options, allows staff to focus on timely order completion, and creating a positive guest experience.
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Guests pick up their pizzas from a heated Pizza Portal. Photo: Little Caesars |
Q: Could you elaborate on the long-term technological strategies Little Caesars is implementing to remain relevant to customer expectations in 2024?
A: As the third largest pizza chain in the world, Little Caesars recognizes the importance of implementing long-term technological strategies to exceed guest expectations for convenience and efficiency. Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond, guests in the QSR space are valuing convenience and efficiency more than ever, which is why we plan to prioritize augmenting our tech strategies with enhanced mobile ordering, contactless pickup options, and digital guest engagement. Each year, we continue to see the rise of our digital orders, which we anticipate will continue trending as our technology advances.
Q: How does the use of AI and innovative technology at Little Caesars impact the overall operations and efficiency of the brand?
A: Innovative technology at Little Caesars enhances overall operations and efficiency by streamlining order placement, payment processing and pickup, reducing wait times, improving accuracy and increasing guest convenience, ultimately contributing to a more efficient and competitive brand.
Q: What benefits does the implementation of the pizza portal offer to the Little Caesars workforce, and how does it impact staff roles and responsibilities?
A: The implementation of the Pizza Portal at Little Caesars reduces the demand on the workforce by automating specific order-related tasks, freeing up staff to focus on other aspects of guest service and kitchen operations, potentially reducing the need for as many front-of-house staff and minimizing errors in the order preparation process. This technology allows staff to assume more specialized roles related to food preparation and guest support, contributing to improved operational efficiency and enhancing the overall guest experience.
Q: Are there plans to expand or enhance the technology offerings at Little Caesars beyond the Pizza Portal, and if so, what can customers expect?
A: Little Caesars is continually exploring opportunities to enhance and expand its technology offerings to meet evolving guest needs, but specific details will be revealed in due course.
Q: How does Little Caesars balance the integration of advanced technology with the brand's commitment to delivering quality, convenience and value to its customers?
A:At Little Caesars, we balance the integration of advanced technology with our commitment to quality, convenience and value by leveraging technology to enhance guest convenience and streamline operations, ensuring that the quality of our products is maintained through temperature control features and timely pickups. We also aim to pass on the operational efficiencies gained through technology to guests by offering affordable pricing, reinforcing our commitment to providing both quality and value.
Q:Can you share any insights into the customer feedback and reception of the Pizza Portal technology and its impact on the overall brand image of Little Caesars?
A: Guest feedback regarding the Pizza Portal Technology has been overwhelmingly positive, with guests appreciating the convenience, speed and contactless nature of the system. This technology has not only improved the overall guest experience but also enhanced Little Caesars brand image, positioning us as one of the most forward-thinking and guest-centric brands that value efficiency and innovation in the QSR industry.
About Mandy Wolf Detwiler
Mandy Wolf Detwiler is the managing editor at Networld Media Group and the site editor for PizzaMarketplace.com and QSRweb.com. She has more than 20 years’ experience covering food, people and places.
An award-winning print journalist, Mandy brings more than 20 years’ experience to Networld Media Group. She has spent nearly two decades covering the pizza industry, from independent pizzerias to multi-unit chains and every size business in between. Mandy has been featured on the Food Network and has won numerous awards for her coverage of the restaurant industry. She has an insatiable appetite for learning, and can tell you where to find the best slices in the country after spending 15 years traveling and eating pizza for a living.
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