Those who need more of a stalking fix than Facebook provides can feed their addiction with Domino's Pizza's newly launched Pizza Tracker.
When customers place an order online or by phone, they can go online and see if their pizzas are being prepared, baked, boxed or delivered. Once delivered, customers cannot see exactly where the pizza is, but they can know it is on its way. They can also learn who is delivering their pizza and rate that employee.
The tracker, which expanded Wednesday from online orders to include phone orders, is in all five of the Gainesville-area locations with delivery capabilities.
Gainesville establishments were part of the 3,400 stores to launch the tracker this week. The goal is to have it in all stores nationwide by June 30.
Eric Smith, vice president of operations for the Gainesville franchises, did not yet know how many customers used the tracker or if they rated employees, but he expects to find out that information soon.
The real test of approval will be Sunday for the Super Bowl - "the busiest four hours of the year," he said - when the demand for pizzas will be high and customers will want to know the status of their orders.
Smith said Domino's has started using this technology solely for the purpose of giving the customers a choice, not because Domino's wants to cut down on calls.
He said technology is the driving force behind business.
"I believe that without staying on top of technology, you're going to fall behind," he said. "We're very proud of this new pizza tracker being the first in the world."
William Cossa, general manager of Papa John's on West University Avenue, said Papa John's does not have an online tracking system that customers can use, but orders can be tracked in the store by employees.
Cossa does not think that the tracking system will be a factor in customers deciding between the two restaurants.
Steve Solomon, one of the owners of Leonardo's by the Slice, said his restaurant does not deliver.
"Our product is food," he said. "Their product is convenience and delivery."
Solomon said his restaurant has a Web site but it is meant to educate.
"We're low-tech," he said, citing the use of brick ovens as an example.
UF sophomore Rutger Myers said he prefers ordering in because it's easier and more convenient.
Myers said he's ordered pizza before, but he has not used a tracker. "I'm not really interested in where the pizza is in Gainesville," he said, "just how long it's going to take to get to me."
