Pizza Hut Tests Automatic Pizza Pick-Up Cubbies

Pizza Hut is testing new automatic pick-up cubbies where you can order ahead and then come by and quickly pick up your pizza order without having to wait in line.

The way it works is: you place an order (via phone, online, or even at the restaurant), pay, and then head to your designated cubby (it'll display your name on it) when your order is ready and tap twice on the cubby to grab your food (and drinks if applicable).

There's basically a whole wall of cubbies and they each have a digital screen to show relevant information (like your name and how to get your order). Each cubby has special linings to keep your food hot and your drinks cold. It's a little like a modern automat.

Pizza Hut describes the new concept as a "seemless carryout experience" that is "designed for the time-strapped, introvert in all of us." Although if you still want to interact with another human being, there continues to be a staffed counter as well.

The cubbies are being piloted at the Pizza Hut restaurant located at 6660 Sunset Blvd in Hollywood, CA.

The chain plans to roll-out additional pizza cubbies in additional West Coast cities in 2020.

The automatic, self-service pick-up concept is very similar to Little Caesars' Pizza Portal, which was tested in 2017 and can now be found at participating location chain-wide.

Update 7/29/19: Some of you expressed concern about the security of your order in the comments. According to Nicolas Burquier, Chief Customer & Operations Officer at Pizza Hut US, "In order to nix any order mishaps, customers will simply sign a receipt when they arrive in-store to pick-up their order. Once the receipt is signed, the customer’s name and cubby number will appear on the digital display above the cubby wall and on the upper corner of the designated cubby.  Then their designated cubby will unlock and the customer will just tap twice to open the cubby and retrieve their food."

Photos via Pizza Hut.