Survey Reveals What Pizza Shops Should Offer To Keep Delivery Drivers
Pizza is one of the most common takeout options and is often a go-to for game days, parties, or any time you need to feed a crowd. Plus, having leftover pizza can be a quick and easy meal the next day.
The ongoing labor shortage has affected the restaurant industry as a whole, and pizza places are no exception. There has been a shortage of pizza delivery drivers this year, reports CNN. Domino's and Pizza Hut have both reported that this lack of drivers can create more work for the existing drivers, longer delivery times, and unhappy customers. Domino's even offered a program that gave customers a credit towards their next purchase if they picked up their pizza, rather than having it delivered. Both chains have also reported a decrease in sales this year, says Restaurant Business Online.
According to Restaurant Dive, BTIG Research surveyed 300 Uber and Lyft drivers in an attempt to find out why they prefer driving people versus pizza.
Drivers value schedule flexibility
Through the survey results, BTIG found that 44% of Uber and Lyft drivers preferred having a flexible schedule (via Restaurant Dive). The rideshare services allow their drivers to choose their own schedules and worktimes, a contrast to the set schedule most pizza places implement. Younger drivers, especially, value the flexible work model, with 56% of respondents between the ages of 18 to 24 years old saying it is their top priority.
Allowing drivers to pick up shifts whenever is most convenient for them may be the way of the future when it comes to combating employee shortages. Restaurant Business Online reports that Domino's has already started exploring their options for shorter shifts and scheduling flexibility, and they have even looked into working with a third-party delivery service – which they have, in the past, resisted.
In the meantime, when you need pizza on a time crunch, your quickest option is to pick it up yourself.