In lockdown most people are prepared to go to any lengths to enjoy a taste of normality and takeaways are one our few remaining pleasures unaffected by the rules.
The only drawback, however, can be going out to collect them if our food favourite isn't offering delivery.
But in news that will be widely welcomed in this bone-chilling February, Domino’s Pizza is launching a new In Car Collection service at branches across the North East.
This means that customers who have ordered their pizzas can choose to keep warm in their cars when they go to pick them up as they will be brought direct to their vehicle, meaning the food remains hot too.
The move follows a successful roll-out of the idea in some local areas before Christmas and it is now available at Domino’s in South Shields, Sunderland, Washington, Darlington and Durham.
The service makes use of location-sharing technology to track a customer’s journey from the sofa to their Domino’s branch.
Customers can pick their pizza, sides and desserts online or by app and select 'In-Car Collection'. The option to pop in to collect the order themselves is still there for anyone who prefers it to a drop-off.
They will be sent a text message 10 minutes before their order is ready for collection and can click a link in the text to share their current location with the store.
The pizza chefs will then get busy baking the order while tracking the customer's journey to the shop.
When the customer arrives in Domino's designated parking area, the order will be brought - contact-free - straight to the car.
Already, In Car Collection is on offer south of the region at branches of the pizza giant in Wolviston in Stockton; Spennymoor; Bishop Cuthbert and Catcote Road in Hartlepool; Bishop Auckland; Ormesby Road in Middlesbrough and Redcar.
Clive West, Domino’s Group digital director, said: “Feedback from stores already offering the service has been fantastic so I’m sure our latest innovation will be a hit with local customers.
"We’re always looking to make things easy as possible for our customers and, knowing convenience and speed are key, In Car Collection offers another safe collection method.
"Simply order online or via the app and let us brave the cold to deliver you piping hot pizza to your car.”
