Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Ordering Pizza Hut From Your Facebook Page? It's on the Way

Source: http://adage.com/digital/article?article_id=132322

Fast-Food Chains Experiment With Takeout/Delivery Services Via Social Networks and IPhone Applications

CHICAGO (AdAge.com) -- A number of fast-food chains are reaching across the digital divide to get young consumers to order via Facebook or their iPhones. And they're building valuable databases of their customers in the process.
Pizza Hut is launching a free-download promotion with eMusic.com.
Pizza Hut is launching a free-download promotion with eMusic.com.


Pizza Hut, which recently crossed the $1 billion benchmark in online sales, is launching a Facebook application that allows fans to place orders without leaving their profiles. Although online ordering isn't new -- the chain has offered it in some form since 2001 -- Bob Kraut, VP-marketing communications at Pizza Hut, said the bulk of that $1 billion in sales has come in the past 18 months. The chain is also launching text-ordering capabilities and e-gift cards, which can be purchased, exchanged and redeemed online. 

Pizza Hut's not alone: A number of the nation's biggest fast-food chains are beginning to embrace text and iPhone ordering capabilities, at least as tests.