Fast-Food Restaurants Hope To Match Success Of Pizza Delivery Chains

Competition from supermarket food, sluggish traffic, and even the grueling presidential election have all dampened restaurant sales. But not pizza chain sales, which are booming. The demand for pizza has pushed share of Domino’s Pizza up 45 percent, and Papa John’s up 60 percent. Analysts point to several key reasons for this: pizza is first of all cheap and fast. And thanks to smartphone apps and ordering technology on sites like Facebook, Twitter and Apple TV, pizza is increasingly easy to order. These factors together have insulated pizza chains from the woes afflicting restaurants that rely on walk-in or drive-through traffic. But that may be changing. McDonald’s and other fast-food eateries are testing delivery service, and may soon develop the kind of customer loyalty programs that have worked so well for Domino’s and Papa John’s. [ Image credit: © Papa John's  ]