Papa Johns Begins Drone Delivery Tests in North Carolina Using Sandwiches

Papa Johns has partnered with Wing, Alphabet’s drone delivery company, to launch a test program in Indian Trail, North Carolina, near Charlotte. Instead of starting with its signature pizzas, the initial deliveries feature a limited menu of oven-toasted sandwiches such as Philly Cheesesteak, Chicken Bacon Ranch, and Steak & Mushroom. Customers in the eligible area can order through the Wing app. The decision to begin with sandwiches stems from practical challenges with pizza boxes, which are large, flat, and difficult to keep stable during drone flight without risking toppings sliding or cheese melting unevenly. Drones have payload limits and require compact, aerodynamic packaging for safe and efficient transport. Papa Johns and Wing are collaborating on custom packaging solutions that could eventually support pizza deliveries. The test represents Wing’s first direct partnership with a national restaurant brand and builds on Papa Johns’ existing use of Google Cloud technology. Long-term goals include integrating drone delivery directly into the Papa Johns app with AI-powered ordering. While drone delivery promises faster service by bypassing traffic, challenges remain including weather dependency, regulatory hurdles, operational integration at restaurants, and community concerns about noise and privacy. Similar tests by competitors like Little Caesars in Texas have focused on full pizza deliveries using larger drones. This initiative highlights the evolving landscape of food delivery technology as companies explore innovative ways to improve speed and efficiency while addressing logistical complexities.