When we think of fast food burger chains, we instantly think of McDonald’s and Burger King, the heavyweight chains that originated from American food culture in the mid-1950s. The delivery pizza industry mirrors that of the fast food burger industry, with big names like Pizza Hut, Domino’s and Papa John’s having originated in the US and expanding to have a global presence as well. Let’s talk about the China operations of these delivery pizza heavyweights and compare the delivery pizza experience.

Although the big brands like Pizza Hut, Domino’s and Papa John’s have expanded globally, they’ve made sure to adapt to local markets. It explains why the casual American is really surprised to learn that Pizza Hut operates like an upscale restaurant serving more than just pizza and sides.

Expanding to the China market over 20 years ago, Pizza Hut introduced Pizza Hut Casual Dining to introduce pizza to Chinese consumers. As a result, it’s made visiting Pizza Hut a special occasion. Pizza Hut in China offers much more than just pizza. Sit down in one of their many restaurants and open the vast menu, with offerings like steak, salads, rice dishes, pastas, chicken, cakes, smoothies, and even escargots.

Papa John’s is a relative newcomer, having opened its first franchise store in 2006. Its business model is similar to that of Pizza Hut’s, but its offerings are not as wide-ranging and its franchise stores operate as either sit down restaurants or fast casual restaurants where you can order a slice, a side and a drink. Menu items feature mostly classic pizza toppings along with rice dishes, pastas, and chicken.

Last but not least, Domino’s, which delivers over 500 million pizzas worldwide every year, opened its first six stores in Beijing in 1997. Unlike its rivals, Domino’s doesn’t adapt its business model too much. Internationally, you can count on it being a delivery/takeout restaurant. Also, its menu items carry both American classics like pepperoni, sausage and Hawaiian, but it also carries pizzas adapting to local tastes like lobster salad & clam, pineapple shrimps and tuna delight.

Some major similarities these above-mentioned pizza chains have are an advanced delivery pizza service that delivers your orders as fast as possible and a huge fleet of delivery people who bring your orders on electric bicycles. Pizza Hut and Papa John’s operate sit down restaurants that have delivery capabilities as well as some delivery-onlyoutlets, but it’s Domino’s that has them beat when it comes to fastest deliveries. Because Domino’s is a delivery/takeout-only business, it usually churns out pizzas in about 20 minutes and even has a 30-minute delivery guarantee (if your order arrives in over 30 minutes, you get a coupon for a free pizza on your next order). Pizza Hut and Papa John’s deliveries take about 40 minutes on average.

When it comes to ordering, all three chains have made it easy with their online-ordering system. In previous years, orders were taken only by phone. Luckily, they had and still continue to have English-language options for those with limited Mandarin. Now, all offer easy to use online ordering systems where you can visualize and confirm your orders.

As a way to increase sales, delivery pizza chains are competing with fast food chains like McDonald’s and KFC. Look online and keep an eye out for ads and special deals. Normally, you can find great discounts on packages or limited-time deals as well as free delivery (with a minimum order). Also as of late, Pizza Hut occasionally has specials like discounted new items while Dominos offers 30% off on Tuesdays and Papa John’s upgrades pizzas to larger sizes on Thursdays.

Delivery Pizza Websites:

Pizza Hut: www.4008123123.com

Domino’s: www.dominos.com.cn

Papa John’s: www.papajohnschina.com