Phil Dumontet knows a thing or two about pizza delivery. In 2009, he founded food delivery service DASHED, which has since expanded from Boston to six other cities. Today, DASHED deliverers drive smart cars and Dumontet’s days on the streets are behind him, but early on, he personally shuttled pizzas (among other orders) around town on his bike. We tapped him for inside dirt on delivery.
WHAT’S THE WEIRDEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED WHEN YOU WERE OUT ON A DELIVERY?
More embarrassing than weird: On the first order we received, I dropped the customer’s bottle of chianti, right as she was answering the door. There was no excuse and nothing I could do but apologize profusely. Fortunately, she was incredibly understanding, and I notice she still orders from us regularly.
WORST THING THAT YOU EVER EXPERIENCED ON A DELIVERY?
Customers who answer the door wearing nothing. They sheepishly hide behind the door with an outreached hand to collect the food, but it doesn’t always work.
WHAT’S THE STRANGEST REQUEST A CUSTOMER EVER HAD?
“Please add lots of extra green peppers to my garden salad. It’s for my iguana.”
BIGGEST TIP YOU EVER GOT?
I remember the largest was $100 for carrying multiple 30-packs of Bud Light up to a fifth-floor walk-up. The tip was as big as the order.
MOST MEMORABLE THING A CUSTOMER EVER SAID TO YOU?
“Want to come in?”
WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF BEING A DELIVERY GUY? AND THE WORST?
I love the exercise. Riding my bike around the city, looking for the fastest routes and trying to improve my times was a blast—like a real-life video game or competitive sport. The worst was delivering during heavy storms on my bike. Unsurprisingly, this is when [it’s] busiest, so you’d make the most money delivering, but the fun of riding isn’t there.
WHAT’S YOUR BEST ADVICE FOR A NEWLY MINTED PIZZA DELIVERER?
Don’t forget how happy you’re making someone by delivering their dinner. For those 45 minutes the customer waits for you to arrive, you are the most important person in the world to them.
Eyes on the Pies
A Definitive Guide to Boston Pizza.
By Improper Staff Sept. 26, 2014
Phil Dumontet knows a thing or two about pizza delivery. In 2009, he founded food delivery service DASHED, which has since expanded from Boston to six other cities. Today, DASHED deliverers drive smart cars and Dumontet’s days on the streets are behind him, but early on, he personally shuttled pizzas (among other orders) around town on his bike. We tapped him for inside dirt on delivery.
WHAT’S THE WEIRDEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED WHEN YOU WERE OUT ON A DELIVERY?
More embarrassing than weird: On the first order we received, I dropped the customer’s bottle of chianti, right as she was answering the door. There was no excuse and nothing I could do but apologize profusely. Fortunately, she was incredibly understanding, and I notice she still orders from us regularly.
WORST THING THAT YOU EVER EXPERIENCED ON A DELIVERY?
Customers who answer the door wearing nothing. They sheepishly hide behind the door with an outreached hand to collect the food, but it doesn’t always work.
WHAT’S THE STRANGEST REQUEST A CUSTOMER EVER HAD?
“Please add lots of extra green peppers to my garden salad. It’s for my iguana.”
BIGGEST TIP YOU EVER GOT?
I remember the largest was $100 for carrying multiple 30-packs of Bud Light up to a fifth-floor walk-up. The tip was as big as the order.
MOST MEMORABLE THING A CUSTOMER EVER SAID TO YOU?
“Want to come in?”
WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF BEING A DELIVERY GUY? AND THE WORST?
I love the exercise. Riding my bike around the city, looking for the fastest routes and trying to improve my times was a blast—like a real-life video game or competitive sport. The worst was delivering during heavy storms on my bike. Unsurprisingly, this is when [it’s] busiest, so you’d make the most money delivering, but the fun of riding isn’t there.
WHAT’S YOUR BEST ADVICE FOR A NEWLY MINTED PIZZA DELIVERER?
Don’t forget how happy you’re making someone by delivering their dinner. For those 45 minutes the customer waits for you to arrive, you are the most important person in the world to them.
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