The COVID-19 pandemic forced restaurants to adjust how they function. One of the biggest changes was the boost in online ordering — delivery platforms for restaurants offer a great way to give food to customers without direct interaction.
If you underestimate the value of online delivery, consider this: in 2020, delivery platforms saw a $3 billion increase in revenue. Whether you run a ghost kitchen or a traditional, brick-and-mortar restaurant, it's important to take advantage of these services. Here are the top 5 delivery services.
But First: Why Use a Delivery Service at All?
Just in case you’re wondering if delivery service apps were a pandemic-only thing, you should know they are here to stay. The pandemic kicked off a new way of customers obtaining their favorite restaurant foods. Users loved the convenience and the ability to grab specialty sushi without leaving their couch. Delivery service apps are the new normal, and that is actually great news for restaurants. Here’s why:
1. Increased Revenue: By using a delivery service app, a restaurant can reach a wider audience and increase its sales revenue.
2. Customer Convenience: Delivery service apps offer a convenient way for customers to order food from a restaurant without having to leave their homes or offices.
3. Competitive Advantage: Restaurants that use delivery service apps can gain a competitive advantage over their competitors who do not offer delivery services.
4. Improved Efficiency: Delivery service apps can help restaurants streamline their operations and improve their efficiency by automating the ordering and delivery process.
5. Access to Valuable Customer Data: Delivery service apps can provide restaurants with valuable insights into customer behavior and preferences, which can help them improve their marketing strategies and menu offerings.
UberEats
Available in 45 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, UberEats is one of the most popular delivery apps out there. It's known for providing a personalized customer experience, which includes photographs, pre-ordering and meal tracking.
Pros
Advantages of UberEats include:
- Large service area: UberEats has over 90 million monthly users.
- Personalization: UberEats lets restaurants publish photos and create a personalized brand.
- POS Integrations: UberEats can be integrated with most restaurant technology, including POS systems.
Cons
Disadvantages of UberEats include:
- Commission Fees: In NYC, commission fees can reach up to 20% per order.
- High Delivery Costs: While UberEats offers a network of delivery drivers, you have to pay a commission to use them.
RELATED READING: Restaurant's Guide to Uber Eats
DoorDash
Founded in 2013, DoorDash is a popular delivery service available in 4,000 cities across North America. DoorDash stands out for its commitment to helping local communities — for example, the company created a $500,000 fund to support economically disadvantaged youth.
Pros
Advantages of DoorDash include:
- Large customer base: Currently, DoorDash has over 18 million customers.
- Lower costs: For the first 30 days of use, DoorDash doesn't charge restaurants a commission fee.
- Higher profits: 65% of restaurants claim that DoorDash helped them increase profits during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cons
Disadvantages of DoorDash include:
- Changing fees: DoorDash changes commission rates based on the restaurant, which can lead to unpredictable fees.
- Limited service area: Currently, DoorDash is only available in North America.
RELATED READING: Ultimate Guide to Using DoorDash for Your Restaurant
GrubHub
GrubHub is prominent in the United States and can be found in over 4,000 cities across all 50 states. It's also available in London. From advanced search tools to multiple payment options, GrubHub does everything possible to create a positive customer experience.
Pros
Advantages of GrubHub include:
- Advanced search options: GrubHub lets customers search by restaurant, location, and cuisine, which widens your reach of potential customers.
- Strong communication: GrubHub offers a notes feature that facilitates communication between users and restaurants.
- Popularity: GrubHub has high rankings, including a #1 rating from Tom's Guide.
Cons
Disadvantages of GrubHub include:
- Credit card fees: GrubHub charges credit card processing fees and a 20% marketing fee.
- Customer fees: GrubHub is known for charging various customer fees, which can deter users.
Postmates
Owned by UberEats, Postmates is available across 3,500 American cities. While it's still its own brand for customers, it has merged with UberEats behind the scenes. It's a great option if you're trying to increase your reach, as it's available 24/7.
Pros
Advantages of Postmates include:
- Versatility: Postmates is incredibly versatile and supports restaurants, pharmacies and gas stations.
- Double services: If you partner with Postmates, your business will also be accessible through UberEats.
- Low fees: Postmates doesn't charge any credit card processing fees.
Cons
Disadvantages of Postmates include:
- Changing fees: Commission fees vary among restaurants, which can make costs unpredictable.
- Surge pricing: Postmates increases costs during busy hours, which may deter customers.
Seamless
Making the list of top 5 delivery platforms, this application is owned by GrubHub. Like its mother company, it's available in over 4,000 US cities and in London. From contactless delivery to online communication, Seamless offers plenty of features to help minimize customer interactions.
Pros
Advantages of Seamless include:
- Streamlined deliveries: Seamless streamlines your orders to boost efficiency and speed.
- Versatility: Seamless supports both local businesses and national restaurant chains.
- Contact-free delivery: Seamless offers a contactless delivery option, which was ideal for the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to be some people’s preference.
Cons
Disadvantages of Seamless include:
- Limited reach: Seamless is mainly known for its coverage in NYC, which isn't helpful unless you're based there.
- Changing delivery fees: Seamless can have unpredictable delivery fees.
Which Delivery Applications Do I Use?
If you hope to successfully connect with new audiences, you should take advantage of all of these apps. This is especially important for ghost kitchens, as online ordering is their main source of revenue. One issue to consider: it can be difficult to manage multiple services. Each delivery application provides restaurants with a tablet — the more tablets you have, the higher the chance of mistakes.
To protect your kitchen's reputation and boost efficiency, it's advisable to streamline orders using an application like Cuboh. In addition to sending multiple delivery platform orders to a single tablet, Cuboh can integrate with your POS system and facilitate communication with delivery drivers. Learn more by booking a demo today.
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