(Promo XTRA) Papa John’s is out with a new way to take phone orders — text messaging.

Customers can create an account online at www.PapaJohns.com where they can save up to four “favorite” orders such as pizza, sides and drinks, their delivery details and payment type. Then, they send a text message using the shortcodes “FAV1,” “FAV2,” “FAV3” or “FAV4” to 4PAPA. Papa John’s replies with a text message, order details and requests a confirmation.

The company has high hopes that text-messaging ordering will catch on. It’s also offering a service for people to sign up for coupons and promotional offers.

For example, customers can sign up for periodic promotional text messages offers by texting “START” or “DEALS” for special offers to 4PAPA. Or, they can text a zip code to 4PAPA to receive text messages with Papa John’s locations that serve the area. Standard text messaging fees will apply for every message sent and received.

Papa John’s ran an event last Thursday at the Mall of America in Minneapolis pitting the world’s fastest talker, Fran Capo, against LG National Texting Champion Morgan Pozgar, to determine the faster method of ordering. Pozgar was the winner of the stunt. People were offered instructions on how to text message their order. Prizes, including LG Mobile phones, were awarded to 10 people.

Papa John’s isn’t the first pizza chain to offer text message ordering. Competitor Domino’s Pizza Inc. launched a similar service more than two months ago. Under it, customers place orders from Web-enabled mobile devices. The system is available in about 3,000 Domino’s locations, with a system wide rollout planned next year.

Papa John’s is out with a new way to take phone orders—text messaging.

Customers can create an account online at http://www.PapaJohns.com where they can save up to four “favorite” orders such as pizza, sides and drinks, their delivery details and payment type. Then, they send a text message using the shortcodes “FAV1,” “FAV2,” “FAV3” or “FAV4” to 4PAPA. Papa John’s replies with a text message, order details and requests a confirmation.

The company has high hopes that text-messaging ordering will catch on. It’s also offering a service for people to sign up for coupons and promotional offers.

For example, customers can sign up for periodic promotional text messages offers by texting “START” or “DEALS” for special offers to 4PAPA. Or, they can text a zip code to 4PAPA to receive text messages with Papa John’s locations that serve the area. Standard text messaging fees will apply for every message sent and received.

Papa John’s ran an event last Thursday at the Mall of America in Minneapolis pitting the world’s fastest talker, Fran Capo, against LG National Texting Champion Morgan Pozgar, to determine the faster method of ordering. Pozgar was the winner of the stunt. People were offered instructions on how to text message their order. Prizes, including LG Mobile phones, were awarded to 10 people.

Papa John’s isn’t the first pizza chain to offer text message ordering. Competitor Domino’s Pizza Inc. launched a similar service more than two months ago. Under it, customers place orders from Web-enabled mobile devices. The system is available in about 3,000 Domino’s locations, with a system wide rollout planned next year.

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