Text-to-order takes flight at Jet’s Pizza

A pizza chain with franchises across the country is enabling customers to place orders via text, assisted by an artificial intelligence (AI) engine.

Jet's Pizza is partnering with Michigan-based AI startup Ordr AI to enable customers to text a store using the same local phone number they would use to call in an order. The customer can text their entire order in one message, including indicating pickup or the delivery address. 

The system then facilitates payment, processes the order, sends the order information into the store, and responds with confirmation and order timing. Customers can also save their credit card information and set a PIN to reuse that same card during future orders. No coupons are needed, as a standard 20% discount on pizzas are automatically applied on all text orders.

The two companies worked together to craft the technology. Jet’s Pizza has already processed more than 1 million text orders and launched the solution in more than 75% of its stores. The system can also answer basic questions about store hours and the menu, and there is a built-in SMS marketing engine designed to perpetually boost sales.

"I think it's fair to say that text-to-order is the easiest ordering method in all of food ordering, not just pizza,” said Aaron Nilsson, CIO, Jet's America Inc. “It's the future. It is a premium experience that pairs well with our premium-tasting pizza. No apps to download, no Alexa to buy, just a great experience." 

Based in Sterling Heights, Mich., Jet's Pizza operates more than 380 stores in 19 states.