Dodo Pizza | First Drone Delivery directly to office | 29.06.2014

Опубликовано 29 июня 2014, 12:37

The first pizza delivery directly to office be drone | Dodo Pizza

About pizza delivery by drons:
sila-uma.ru/2014/06/22/pizza_c...

About Dodo Pizza: sila-uma.ru/2014/04/30/smart-p...

A photo of the drone or Dodo's Pizza or both
sila-uma.ru/2014/06/22/pizza_c...
vk.com/wall2329974_13354

Q: When did drone delivery start for Dodo's Pizza?
A: On June 21, 2014 Dodo Pizza delivered first 6 commercial orders. We earned 3600 rubles. That's the first money made with drones.

Q: What went into the decision to do this?
A: In the end of 2013 we were contacted by Russian technology start-up "Copter Express" that worked on drones. They suggested to start experimenting with pizza delivery by drones. We gladly accepted the offer and started active experimenting in January 2014. There were experiments with drones (for example, Domino's Pizza and Indian pizza company) but it all were just stage videos which had nothing to do with actual business. We were looking for the operating business model which could be implemented considering the current technical limitations.

What went into the decision? There was an interest and challenge in the first place. We also wanted to have some PR but it wasn't the primary goal. Partners from Copter Express were so enthusiastic so I told myself, Why not.

Q: How exactly does the delivery work? When a person opens the door, how do they get the pizza and pay for it?
A: We created a working business model. It works like this:

We don't deliver pizza to specific address because it currently is not possible. It is unsafe and every route will have to be tested because there could be radiointerference, cables, aerials which could lead to accidents.

We deliver pizza to a specific site flying a specific route which was preliminary investigated and tested for safety. We deliver to a city park where people promenade and our agent performs active sales. He contacts vacationing people and suggests to order pizza delivered by drone to the park. People don't believe at first, then they aggree and in 15-20 minutes there is a drone in the sky that lowers pizza out of the blue. People are stunned. It is a miracle. We understand that this model is an entertainment, promo, active sales and pizza delivery.

Q: Do you have to specify drone delivery when you order?
A: We don't deliver to address yet. Our agent takes orders specifically for drone delivery.

Q: How many drones are delivering?
A: At the moment we have only one drone in service. It is a test unit but it's just the beginning!

Q: Will this impact employees? Less drivers hired?
A: Not yet. As I said it's only the beginning. There is a lot of work before drone delivery becomes a real business. I am talking about safety and laws in the first place. We take actions to ensure drone safety - Copter Express works on a special chute and other safety systems. It is also possible that there will be a lawsuit precedent for drone usage in Russia. I think we'll go to court.

Q: Is drone delivery a long term solution or more of a publicity stunt?
A: It is definitely not a publicity stunt. It is just a project which we are excited to work on. Just for the sake of excitement. This is what drives progress. I really didn't expect so much hype about all this. And I still don't know what will come out in the end.

Q: What are the benefits and what are the drawbacks to drone delivery over a human driver?
A: Drones are not competetive at the moment compared to drivers if we talk about costs. The biggest advantage of drones is that it delivers the show! People so far view drone delivery as a miracle.

Q: Is someone manning the drone at the store while it delivers?
A: There is an special drone operator who monitors safe take-off and landing but drone flies in auto to the order site by coordinates.

Q: Is Dodo's Pizza the only chain currently using drone delivery? Have you heard of others planning to try it in Russia?
A: Dodo Pizza is the only chain in the world that currently performs the commercial drone delivery.

Q: Tell us more about Dodo's Pizza history, how many stores?

A: Established in April 2011 Dodo Pizza started as one delivery-only store. As of July 1, 2014 there are 18 stores in 13 cities across Russia. Construction is going on in Brasov, Romania, where we plan to open our store in fall 2014.

We take advantage of the new technologies to build a "smart pizza restaurant" where cloud services form an integral part of business model. From the start we develop our own ERP system organized as SaaS to be in a competetive position. We combine IT and conventional fast-food process to revolutionize pizza business.

In June 2014 sales of the first pizza store in Syktyvkar totalled $200 000. Sales of the chain for June 2014 were $1 000 000. Total sales of the chain in 2013 were $6 000 000.