Papa Johns drone delivery skips the pizza

Your next Papa Johns order could soon drop from the sky. Just do not expect a large pepperoni pizza to come floating down yet.

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A sandwich box is compact. A pizza box is wide, flat and fussy. Anyone who has ever carried a pizza home on the passenger seat of their vehicle knows the rule. Keep it level or prepare for a cheese landslide. That same problem gets trickier when a drone is involved. Drones have payload limits. They also need packages that fit their delivery systems and stay stable during flight.

The test is limited to residents near Sun Valley Commons in Indian Trail, North Carolina. Eligible customers can place orders through the Wing app and choose from a curated menu of Papa Johns Oven Toasted Sandwiches. Charlotte-area residents can check delivery eligibility and sign up for updates through Wing's delivery page at wing.com/get-delivery

Drone delivery has been talked about for years, but it still feels rare for many communities. Wing already works with companies such as Walmart and DoorDash, and it has expanded service in several metro areas.

Still, the business has to clear several hurdles. The weather can disrupt flights. Regulations can limit how drones operate. Restaurants have to train staff. Customers also need to live in the right delivery zone. Then there is the money. A drone can look amazing in a promo video. The tougher question is whether each delivery makes financial sense when the system runs every day.

If you live near the test area, this could be a fun way to try a faster food delivery option. It may also give you a preview of where takeout is heading. However, drone delivery will probably roll out in small steps. At least at first. Customers need to live in the right delivery zone, order through the right app and choose items the drone system can carry safely.

The bigger shift could come later. If Wing's system connects directly with the Papa Johns app, customers may eventually see drone delivery as one more option at checkout. That would make the experience feel much more normal than opening a separate drone app just to order lunch. For customers, the biggest benefits could be speed and convenience. A drone can avoid traffic, parking issues and some of the delays that hit traditional delivery during peak hours.

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