Pizza Chains Use Social Networks for Ordering, Tracking

Quick-service pizza chains have jumped right into social media, with Pizza Hut, Papa John's and Domino's each developing applications or promotions for Facebook.

Pizza Hut has developed an online ordering application for Facebook, giving members the ability to order delivery food without ever leaving the Web site.

"We are moving fast to put our online customers in charge -- any way they want to order from us, we'll be there for them," says Bob Kraut, VP, marketing communications. "Facebook is the next logical step for Pizza Hut. As Facebook's popularity grows among younger, socially connected consumers we have the opportunity to provide a pizza ex-perience they will love -- our convenient ordering combined with Facebook's relevance."

The new application, named "Pizza Hut Interface," integrates with Facebook's main commerce system for orders, and allows registered pizzahut.com users to browse the full Pizza Hut menu without leaving Facebook.

Papa John's gave free pizzas to any Facebook user who is or becomes a "fan" of the official Papa John's page -- giving them an online redemption code for a free medium pizza with any online pizza order.

During the Consumer Electronics Show in January, a demonstration by Domino's Pizza and GPS-enabled social networking site bliin allowed members to track their ordered pizza from the moment it left the store until it arrived at their door.

Founded in 2007, bliin is a location-aware software provider that allows consumers and business users to share real-time, location-based experiences. For instance, consumers can access the platform through their mobile phones, as well as from their desktop, and either allow select members of their social network -- or anyone on the Web -- to track their exact location at all times on a satellite map. The user can then blog or share real-time photos and videos, among other social-networking activities, live from each location.

The new platform also will allow bliin to work with small to large enterprises to build real-time, location-driven custom Web sites such as a site that will allow a delivery service to track its drivers.
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