Q3 delivery report: Chains expand footprint with new partnerships

Cracker Barrel, Olive Garden and more have deployed different strategies to improve the overall guest experience and reach more customers.

By Emma Liem Beckett , Julie Littman , Rosie Bradbury • Updated Sept. 20, 2019

Delivery disconnect: Restaurants don't always prioritize what diners want

Data from Toast shows there's a large disparity between consumer and restaurant sentiments, whether it's what third-party apps are used or which delivery qualities are valued most. 

By Alicia Kelso • July 25, 2019

DoorDash delivery workers to soon receive entirety of customer tips

Under the company's new model, couriers will earn tips independent of base or bonus pay, CEO Tony Xu announced yesterday. 

By Julie Littman , Rosie Bradbury • Updated Aug. 23, 2019

OpenTable moves into delivery with new app feature

The reservation platform partnered with Uber Eats, Caviar and Grubhub to offer the service to over 8,000 restaurants in 90 metro areas in the U.S. 

By Julie Littman • July 24, 2019

Luckin Coffee starts global expansion in the Middle East, India

After challenging Starbucks' dominance in China, the chain is partnering with seasoned operator Kuwait Food Company Americana to move into other big markets.

By Alicia Kelso • July 23, 2019

Uber Eats launches restaurant accelerator to cover "selection gaps"

The company's three-week program in London will sponsor five to seven concepts that can help increase food offerings in areas where options are scant.

By Lauren Manning • July 22, 2019

Deliveroo will now buy and deliver ingredients to restaurants

The U.K.-based company claims its program, where it procures food supplies on behalf of multiple eateries, can save small operators up to 40%.  

By Julie Littman • July 19, 2019

Postmates adds emoji searches for World Emoji Day

Customers can combine the "taco" and "bell" emoji to look up Taco Bell, or the "hamburger" and "crown" to get Burger King.

By Robert Williams • July 18, 2019

McDonald's inks deal with DoorDash, ending exclusivity with Uber Eats

After two years, the fast food chain added a second delivery partnership, a move that will likely appease some franchisees, but could be a blow to Uber Eats. 

By Alicia Kelso • July 17, 2019

Under pressure, Domino's ups the ante on tech

Squeezed by third-party aggregators, the pizza chain is launching a nationwide e-bike program and adding GPS tracking to improve delivery.  

By Julie Littman • Updated Aug. 13, 2019

Just Eat adds restaurant hygiene ratings to app

The feature is Just Eat's latest push to improve food safety, which has included dropping restaurants with a zero rating and investing over $1 million to help eateries improve scores. 

By Lauren Manning • July 16, 2019

Food 4 Less, Smart Foodservice join the food delivery fight

Smart Foodservice's partnership with Shipt will deliver ingredients to restaurants and benefit operators, but other grocery delivery partnerships could threaten off-premise restaurant growth.

By Lauren Manning • July 15, 2019

Waitr's new fee structure faces swift backlash from restaurant partners

A week after announcing changes to its terms that include performance-based commission, at least 20 restaurants plan to boycott the delivery company. 

By Alicia Kelso • July 12, 2019

Grubhub 'cybersquatting' outcry signals changing delivery landscape

Accusations of hidden fees and buying domains without permission highlight a need for clearer communication between third-party providers and restaurants.

By Julie Littman • July 11, 2019

Fast casuals rev up drive-thru, mobile pickup plans

Chains like Chipotle, Cava and Blaze Pizza are testing drive-up windows but may soon find it more difficult to find ideal locations.

By Julie Littman • July 10, 2019

Waitr to add alcohol delivery

The company will start delivering alcohol for the first time after the Louisiana governor signed two bills into law allowing for the service with proper permits. 

By Alicia Kelso • July 9, 2019

Uber Eats adds dine-in option

This new service, in addition to its rollout of click-and-collect, allows the company to cover all areas of the restaurant experience, giving it an edge over its competitors. 

By Alicia Kelso • July 3, 2019

FAT Brands to expand via ghost kitchens, CEO says

The strategy could help grow Fatburger's delivery footprint and boost sales for its franchisees by cooking burgers at sister brand locations, CEO Andy Wiederhorn said.

By Emma Liem Beckett • July 1, 2019

Grubhub trend report shows staggering growth of plant-based meat orders

Orders of Impossible Burger through the Grubhub app have jumped 82% year-over-year, and orders of vegan-friendly dishes rose 25%.

By Alicia Kelso • June 28, 2019

DoorDash wants to make driver payment policies more transparent

The company is offering explanations for pay, reducing long-distance deliveries and adding accident insurance to improve the driver experience, but critics say it has yet to address concerns about driver tips.   

By Julie Littman • June 28, 2019

Waitr lays off over 20 employees at headquarters

Following its Bite Squad acquisition, the delivery company has made cuts to its office staff to create more efficiencies, says CEO Chris Meaux. 

By Julie Littman • June 28, 2019

Meal kits could offer untapped revenue stream for restaurants

This off-premise segment could help restaurants offer a new option to diners alongside delivery and takeout, but very few operators have jumped into the ready-to-cook segment.

By Julie Littman • June 27, 2019

Chuck E. Cheese to deliver party packs with DoorDash

These 12-person $125 kit, which include three large pizzas, a cake and decorations, is part of the eatertainment brand's delivery expansion. 

By Julie Littman • June 26, 2019

Maintaining mouthfeel: The challenge of preserving food texture on the shelf and during delivery

Manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, restaurants and packaging designers are all working together to make sure the consumer gets items that feel freshly made — wherever they are.

By Alicia Kelso • June 25, 2019

Fast food customer satisfaction slips, report finds

Despite the implementation of time-saving technology across the segment, customer satisfaction in just about every area of the QSR experience declined, according to this year's American Customer Satisfaction Index. 

By Alicia Kelso • June 25, 2019