I tried Domino's 2-minute curbside pickup guarantee and it was one of the quickest ways I've ever picked up food

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I tried Domino's 2-minute curbside pickup guarantee and it was one of the quickest ways I've ever picked up food
  • Domino's launched 'carside delivery,' with a guarantee that it will be brought out in two minutes.
  • Pizza restaurants thrived during the pandemic and delivery grew.
  • Fast curbside service makes Domino's better able to compete with traditional fast-food chains.
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Domino's now offers what it calls "carside delivery," which is essentially curbside pickup by another name.

Domino's now offers what it calls "carside delivery," which is essentially curbside pickup by another name.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The offer comes with a two-minute guarantee, meaning that after pizza is ordered online and says it is ready, it will arrive at your car within two minutes of you checking in.

The offer comes with a two-minute guarantee, meaning that after pizza is ordered online and says it is ready, it will arrive at your car within two minutes of you checking in.
The carside delivery comes with a two-minute guarantee. Domino's
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If the pizza isn't ready and in your car in two minutes, you have your choice of a free pizza or 20% of your next order.

If the pizza isn't ready and in your car in two minutes, you have your choice of a free pizza or 20% of your next order.
Domino's is offering a free pizza if it misses the deadline. Domino's

I downloaded Domino's app to test out this guarantee.

I downloaded Domino's app to test out this guarantee.
Domino's released a "Two minute service guarantee" for carside delivery. Domino's
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The app shows which stores are closest to you, and also how they're operating right now under COVID restrictions. My area only had contactless options.

The app shows which stores are closest to you, and also how they're operating right now under COVID restrictions. My area only had contactless options.
Domino's released a "Two minute service guarantee" for carside delivery. Domino's

Carside delivery is available online or through Domino's app. The app is nothing special, but it's easy enough to use.

Carside delivery is available online or through Domino's app. The app is nothing special, but it's easy enough to use.
Domino's released a "Two minute service guarantee" for carside delivery. Domino's
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It makes is simple to build a pizza with the toppings, crust, and sauce of your choice.

It makes is simple to build a pizza with the toppings, crust, and sauce of your choice.
Domino's released a "Two minute service guarantee" for carside delivery. Domino's

You can even control how much of each topping you want, or if you just want it on half of the pizza, which seems convenient when ordering for a group.

You can even control how much of each topping you want, or if you just want it on half of the pizza, which seems convenient when ordering for a group.
Domino's released a "Two minute service guarantee" for carside delivery. Domino's
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Apply coupons in the app, and make sure your order is right before checking out.

Apply coupons in the app, and make sure your order is right before checking out.
Domino's released a "Two minute service guarantee" for carside delivery. Domino's

Choose what time you'd like to get your pizza, and how you want to pick it up.

Choose what time you'd like to get your pizza, and how you want to pick it up.
Domino's released a "Two minute service guarantee" for carside delivery. Domino's
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For carside delivery, Domino's requires that you input some information about your car, presumably to make delivery easier. Curbside pickup programs at Walmart and Target have adopted similar measures.

For carside delivery, Domino's requires that you input some information about your car, presumably to make delivery easier. Curbside pickup programs at Walmart and Target have adopted similar measures.
Domino's released a "Two minute service guarantee" for carside delivery. Domino's

One of the most useful features is pre-selecting where you'd like the pizza placed in the car, which can make delivery even faster.

One of the most useful features is pre-selecting where you'd like the pizza placed in the car, which can make delivery even faster.
Domino's released a "Two minute service guarantee" for carside delivery. Domino's
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Once the order is finally placed, watch its progress on Domino's tracker.

Once the order is finally placed, watch its progress on Domino's tracker.
Domino's released a "Two minute service guarantee" for carside delivery. Domino's

The chain also sent me a text that my order was received and a way to check-in if I didn't have the app.

The chain also sent me a text that my order was received and a way to check-in if I didn't have the app.
Domino's released a "Two minute service guarantee" for carside delivery. Domino's
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When the app told me my pizza was ready, I got in my car and headed to the restaurant.

When the app told me my pizza was ready, I got in my car and headed to the restaurant.
Domino's released a "Two minute service guarantee" for carside delivery. Domino's

There was a parking spot right in front of the entrance marked for carside delivery.

There was a parking spot right in front of the entrance marked for carside delivery.
Domino's is offering carside delivery. Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
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The same instructions in the app were also posted on the store's window.

The same instructions in the app were also posted on the store's window.
Domino's is offering carside delivery. Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

After taking a few pictures, I checked in and turned on the hazard lights.

After taking a few pictures, I checked in and turned on the hazard lights.
Domino's is offering carside delivery. Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
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I had my fiance, who was in the car with me, start a timer on his phone the second I checked in. The server brought it out in just under a minute, safely within the guaranteed time frame.

I had my fiance, who was in the car with me, start a timer on his phone the second I checked in. The server brought it out in just under a minute, safely within the guaranteed time frame.
Domino's is offering carside delivery. Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I test out a lot of drive-thru and curbside experiences, and this was definitely one of the quickest, though the restaurant was also not very busy when I went, which may have contributed.

I test out a lot of drive-thru and curbside experiences, and this was definitely one of the quickest, though the restaurant was also not very busy when I went, which may have contributed.
Domino's is offering carside delivery. Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
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Pizza sales boomed during the pandemic as they already had the infrastructure set up for delivery as dining rooms closed and people felt safer staying at home.

Pizza sales boomed during the pandemic as they already had the infrastructure set up for delivery as dining rooms closed and people felt safer staying at home.
Scott Olson /GettyImages

Now, as the US reopens and people venture back into restaurants, carside pickup is Domino's pitch to customers to stay relevant in 2021 and beyond.

Now, as the US reopens and people venture back into restaurants, carside pickup is Domino's pitch to customers to stay relevant in 2021 and beyond.
Domino's is offering carside delivery. Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Source: Insider

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The new model also puts Domino's more on par with fast food like McDonald's or Burger King as a reliably fast meal that can be picked up on the go.

The new model also puts Domino's more on par with fast food like McDonald's or Burger King as a reliably fast meal that can be picked up on the go.
Domino's is offering carside delivery. Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Do you have a story to share about a retail or restaurant chain? Email this reporter at mmeisenzahl@businessinsider.com.