With the rise of food delivery services, restaurant owners need to choose the right delivery company to partner with. While the pandemic has sped up the process, delivery services have been around for quite some time.
Restaurant owners need to familiarize themselves with the top delivery services available to ensure that they pick a company that suits their needs. This guide will give you an overview of some of the most popular delivery services and what they offer. Read on to discover which delivery service is best for restaurant owners.
Which Delivery Service is Best for Restaurants Owners?
In today’s world of fast-paced living, consumers have come to expect the convenience of having food delivered directly to their doorsteps. This makes it essential for restaurant owners to choose a delivery service that can best serve their customers.
With factors such as delivery speed, fees, and accessibility to new customers, the answer is not always straightforward. Therefore, restaurant owners need to evaluate and compare the different delivery services available to decide which suits their business model best.
DoorDash
DoorDash is one of the most popular food delivery services available in the United States, Canada, and Australia. With over 310,000 restaurants in +4,000 cities currently using the aggregator platform, DoorDash matches local restaurants with freelance couriers called “dashers.”
One of the unique factors that make DoorDash stand out from other food delivery apps is that local restaurants do not have to hire their couriers.
In addition to this, DoorDash has also acquired companies such as Caviar, initially aimed at delivering higher-end food, but now offering a diverse selection of balanced meals. As a result, DoorDash has quickly become a go-to choice for anyone looking to get their favorite restaurant’s food delivered right to their doorstep.
Popmenu
If you’re running a restaurant in the U.S., Popmenu is the all-in-one digital toolkit you need. With no commissions on orders, a low, flat fee for delivery, and a monthly platform fee that never goes up, Popmenu is an affordable and powerful solution for modern restaurants.
Beyond online ordering and delivery, Popmenu provides you with a website and interactive online menu designed to be search-engine optimized to attract more guests in your area.
By owning the relationship and the data with each guest, you can optimize your marketing strategies more effectively. Plus, you have the flexibility to work with your own delivery drivers or a local network of DoorDash drivers without the high commission percentages. This means you can pass on the delivery fee to your customers or even partially or fully subsidize it. With Popmenu, you have the tools to take your restaurant’s digital presence and operations to the next level.
Uber Eats
Uber Eats is known for its prompt and consistent delivery times, a powerful app, and the ease of use for both restaurants and customers. Uber Eats also has a strategic partnership with Postmates. They offer flexible delivery options, including bike delivery and car delivery. Uber Eats charges restaurants a percentage of the order value for each delivery. If a restaurant fulfills their own deliveries, there is no commission involved. Uber Eats is a great option for restaurants looking for high-quality delivery services that are intuitive and user-friendly.
Caviar
Caviar is a food delivery service that focuses on high-end and upscale restaurant experiences. Caviar offers two delivery options – traditional delivery and Catering by Caviar. Catering by Caviar is designed for more extensive orders, such as corporate events or weddings. Caviar charges restaurants a commission fee between 20-30%, depending on the location. Caviar is an excellent option for restaurants that want to provide a high-end delivery experience, but beware; it comes at a premium price.
Grubhub
Grubhub was one of the first food delivery services and still remains very popular in the industry. Grubhub partners with over 300,000 restaurants across the country. They offer a range of delivery options, including self-delivery. Grubhub charges restaurants a percentage of the order value and a flat delivery fee, which varies depending on the location. Grubhub is a great option for restaurants that want to partner with a reliable, tried, and tested delivery service, but they charge a higher commission rate compared to other delivery services.
Postmates
Postmates is known for its ability to deliver anything. They have an extensive network of drivers and offer a range of delivery options, including bike delivery. Postmates partners with over 600,000 restaurants and grocery stores. They charge a commission fee of around 20% for every order it fulfills. Postmates’ strength lies in its extensive coverage network and ease of use.
goPuff
goPuff is a snack and convenience delivery service that has gained tremendous popularity in recent years. They operate in select markets and offer 24/7 delivery services that cover snacks, groceries, household essentials, and more. The delivery fees range between $2-8, depending on the location. goPuff is an excellent option for restaurants that need to deliver convenience items such as beverages or small packages.
Instacart
Instacart is a grocery delivery service that’s best known for its collaboration with grocery stores such as Whole Foods and Target. They offer same-day delivery services and real-time tracking features. Instacart charges grocery stores a commission fee for every order it fulfills. Instacart is an excellent option for restaurants that need to partner with a grocery delivery service and don’t want to invest in their delivery infrastructure.
ChowNow
ChowNow is an online ordering platform designed for restaurants that want to take orders exclusively through their website or app. Restaurants using ChowNow pay a flat monthly fee to gain access to the tools offered. ChowNow also integrates with delivery services like DoorDash, Postmates, and Uber Eats. ChowNow is ideal for restaurants that want to keep their customers on their website and not rely on third-party platforms.
Toast
Toast is a comprehensive restaurant management platform that offers online ordering and delivery services. Toast’s delivery service is built to provide a customizable, branded experience for restaurants. Toast charges restaurants a commission fee per order fulfilled on its platform. Toast is an excellent option for restaurants that require a comprehensive solution, including delivery services.
Conclusion
The best delivery service for restaurant owners ultimately depends on their individual business needs. Each delivery service has its strengths and weaknesses, and it’s important to research and evaluate each option. Some restaurants may prefer working with one delivery service over another, and this is fine as long as they’ve evaluated their options. Restaurants that plan to grow and scale need to select delivery services that are flexible, reliable, and strategic.