Operators predict continued catering boom

Return-to-office is increasing demand for business catering as employers use meal plans to draw workers in-person, according to a survey from ezCater. 

By Julie Littman • May 9, 2024

Starbucks’ late-night delivery pilot ‘doubled our business,’ CEO says

A third-party partner prepared Starbucks orders for delivery offsite between the hours of 5 p.m. and 5 a.m., and the coffee giant aims to make a $2 billion business out of this model over the next five years.

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 7, 2024

Instacart adds restaurant delivery with Uber Eats

Over the next few weeks, Instacart will add a restaurant tab powered by Uber Eats to its app, giving Uber access to potentially millions of new customers.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 7, 2024

Denny’s virtual brands engage Gen Z, fuel off-premise growth

By leveraging slow dayparts like dinner and late night, the casual chain’s three delivery-only brands are increasing sales and capturing younger demographics.

By Julie Littman • May 3, 2024

IHOP adds 2 new Virtual Dining Concept brands, expands another

IHOP is focusing on virtual brands as a solution to traffic problems in non-peak dayparts and thinks two sports-themed brands could lift sales.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 25, 2024

Flynn Group, Zipline to deliver Panera Bread orders via drone

Deliveries are expected to begin next year and will be available from select Panera units in the Greater Seattle area. 

By Julie Littman • April 19, 2024

Uber Eats partners with Waymo for autonomous delivery in Phoenix

Uber Eats has been expanding its network of autonomous delivery partners since 2022 and works with Motional, Nuro, Cartken and Serve Robotics. 

By Julie Littman • April 3, 2024

DeSantis signs Florida delivery bill pre-empting local delivery regulations

The law, backed by Uber and DoorDash, requires delivery firms to delist restaurants that request to be removed and will prevent local governments from passing regulations impacting third-party delivery.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 3, 2024

DoorDash to deliver by drone from a VA Wendy’s

Wing drones will deliver meals from the fast food location to nearby customers within about 30 minutes, the company said.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated March 22, 2024

Wonder raises $700M, plans to reach 90 units in 2025

After transitioning from food trucks to food halls last year, the company has already grown to 11 brick-and-mortar units with more in the works.

By Julie Littman • March 19, 2024

DoorDash adds AI to chat feature to detect harassment between workers and customers

The aggregator is replacing an old chat monitoring tool with SafeChat+, which can detect inappropriate content without keyword matching.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 12, 2024

DC bill mandates study of delivery worker conditions, pay

As part of the restaurant rules package that passed in the District this week, the city council requires aggregators and restaurants to agree that delivery workers are allowed to use restaurant bathrooms.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 8, 2024

DoorDash shifts pay scheme, cuts flexibility in New York City

DoorDash says its fees in The Big Apple have driven down delivery sales, but the city says data from delivery firms shows steady sales.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated March 5, 2024

How is off-premise diner demand evolving? Here’s what the data shows.

Convenience and time constraints continue to drive consumers toward delivery and takeout, according to various industry reports.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 26, 2024

Los Angeles County sues Grubhub over ‘bait and switch’ fees

The county calls for an injunction against alleged deceptive business practices and for Grubhub to pay fines for possible violations of California’s unfair competition and false advertising laws. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 23, 2024

My Place Hotels of America taps Grubhub for food delivery

The hotel franchisor aims to enhance the guest experience through the partnership, as hotel dining becomes increasingly digital.

By Jenna Walters • Feb. 12, 2024

Starship Technologies raises $90M, reaches $230M in total funding

The autonomous delivery bot company will use the additional funding to expand operations, enter new markets and develop its AI technology.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 6, 2024

Gopuff introduces Starbucks delivery

Trained baristas prepare food and drink orders from the instant delivery company’s micro-fulfillment centers for delivery in about 30 minutes.

By Peyton Bigora • Updated Feb. 5, 2024

Denny’s, Franklin Junction strike 250-unit virtual brand deal

The diner chain has been deepening its virtual brand investments over the past few years, expanding its Banda Burrito test ninefold in November.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 9, 2024

Back to Basics: How to build a successful delivery program

Delivery customers tend to have larger baskets and give retailers several chances to upsell, but it’s important to curate the menu, experts say.

By Amanda Baltazar • Jan. 8, 2024

Pizza Hut celebrates delivery drivers with QR code doormat and free pizza

Delivery drivers who see the Reverse Delivery doormat displayed on a doorstep can scan the QR code to receive a courtesy pizza.

By Jessica Deyo • Dec. 11, 2023

Uber Eats adds marketing tools to bolster restaurants’ holiday sales

The delivery aggregator added holiday happy hours, multi-location offers and percentage-off offers to help restaurants attract new and existing consumers.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 8, 2023

DoorDash pauses some NYC driver perks, plans to raise fees

After a judge dismissed an appeal against a delivery driver minimum wage law last week, DoorDash will pay its drivers $29.93 per hour of active time, excluding tips, in the Big Apple.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 5, 2023

New York judge tosses delivery firms’ effort to overturn $17.96 wage

After a judge denied appeals efforts from Uber Eats, DoorDash and Grubhub, New York City says the companies must pay drivers $17.96 an hour in their next pay cycles.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 1, 2023

Why ghost kitchen pioneers want to say goodbye to the name

Omnichannel business, a focus on operations and reasonable growth timetables set the stage for ghost kitchens’ second act.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 21, 2023