Amazon Restaurants is dead, but the e-tailer is still hungry for food delivery

Now that the company has yielded its slice of the market to DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub, analysts expect Amazon to buy its way back into the game.

By Julie Littman • June 14, 2019

Digital restaurant orders growing at a double-digit clip

An NPD Group report showed that orders made by app, text or online increased 23% over the past four years and now represent 3.1 billion visits and $26.8 billion in sales. 

By Alicia Kelso • June 13, 2019

Uber Eats drone delivery nears liftoff in San Diego

Restaurants participating in the pilot expected to begin this summer will place an order on a drone, which will then fly the food to a courier who will complete the last leg to a customer's door.

By Emma Liem Beckett • June 12, 2019

Starbucks considering virtual kitchens in US

After testing ghost kitchens in China as part of its delivery program, the chain could bring the model to U.S. metro areas, says CFO Patrick Grismer. 

By Julie Littman • June 11, 2019

Sweetgreen buys meal delivery company in first-ever acquisition

The deal with Washington, D.C.-based Galley Foods will give the salad chain access to new logistics technology, production capacity and "unparalleled insight into delivery," sweetgreen CEO Jonathan Neman said. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • June 11, 2019

Amazon Restaurants to close US operations

The online retailer is leaving the competitive restaurant delivery segment after only four years.

By Julie Littman • June 11, 2019

How restaurants can leverage the changing lunch break

With social stigma and work pressure making 37% of millennials feel they can't take a lunch break, there could be growing opportunity for restaurants to optimize delivery for midday.

By Alicia Kelso • June 5, 2019

Baskin-Robbins teams with Netflix for 'Stranger Things'-inspired ice cream truck

Inspired by the show's Scoops Ahoy Ice Cream parlor, the activation is the latest brand partnership to bring the hit show to life.

By Dianna Christe • May 30, 2019

Applebee's largest franchisee tests dropping delivery

After removing delivery from three markets, Flynn Restaurant Group reported faster growth of its dine-in and carside-to-go segments.

By Alicia Kelso • May 29, 2019

Chipotle integrates Twitter with SMS to dole out free burritos to basketball fans

Every time announcers say the word "free" on-air during official NBA game coverage, attentive followers have a chance to score a meal.

By Peter Adams • May 29, 2019

A dedicated catering team is critical to off-premise sales growth

From finding drivers to hiring well-trained sales professionals, restaurants are struggling to invest in staff that will keep this revenue stream flowing.

By Julie Littman • May 28, 2019

DoorDash secures $600M in another major funding round

The food delivery company’s valuation is now $12.6 billion thanks to an investment streak beginning in August of last year. 

By Alicia Kelso • May 24, 2019

ChowNow, delivery.com partner with Google for online orders

Local restaurants will be able to accept orders via Google's Maps, Assistant and Search, creating a competitive advantage for small delivery providers.

By Lauren Manning • May 24, 2019

Ford pilots last-yard delivery robot

This pilot, which is testing the feasibility of removing humans from the last mile, is part of a larger collaboration between the carmaker, Walmart and Postmates to test autonomous food and consumer products delivery.

By Morgan Forde • May 24, 2019

Uber seeks approval for drone deliveries

Uber Technologies affiliate Uber Elevate has filed an application with the Federal Aviation Administration to deliver food in the San Diego market. An answer is expected by June 10.

By Alicia Kelso • May 23, 2019

Uber Eats reportedly adding monthly subscription

The third-party delivery provider will join DoorDash and Postmates with an option that waives order delivery fees in lieu of a monthly fee, which analysts say will be the future of the segment. 

By Julie Littman • May 22, 2019

Convenience stores transforming into 'restaurants-to-go'

What's the future of dining? At the NRA Show, many people — from analysts to Wawa's CEO — saw c-stores as a clear player in the segment, siphoning dollars from traditional eateries.

By Thai Phi Le • May 22, 2019

78% of restaurants say off-premise is a strategic priority

While the growing segment brings in sales and new customers, it introduces challenges to both the front and back of house, from unpredictable production to confusing traffic flow, according to Technomic. 

By Julie Littman • May 21, 2019

Alcohol pairs well with food delivery, but restaurants missing out

While more diners are ordering meals for delivery, alcohol is not yet widely available and could be a big growth area, according to Technomic. 

By Julie Littman • May 20, 2019

DoorDash emulates restaurant pop-up trend in first integrated campaign

The multichannel effort launched Monday, showcasing national merchant partners like The Cheesecake Factory, Wendy's and Chipotle.  

By Peter Adams • May 20, 2019

Customized delivery menus optimize success with third parties, says Uber Eats

Bowie Cheung, the company's director of regional operations, said highlighting high-margin dishes with photos and nixing loss leaders from digital menus can drive incremental sales. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • May 20, 2019

Amazon-led funding raises $575M for Deliveroo

The latest investment will strengthen Deliveroo's position as the top delivery provider in the U.K., putting additional pressure on Uber Eats and Just Eat. 

By Julie Littman • May 17, 2019

Chick-fil-A tests restaurant-run delivery

While the fast food chain plans to maintain its relationship with DoorDash, this pilot could make it one of the first major QSRs to shift from third-party delivery to a proprietary program. 

By Alicia Kelso • May 16, 2019

Deliveroo offers free skills training to its drivers

The company's Deliveroo Academy provides access to 300 online professional development courses, from learning a new language to web design. 

By Alicia Kelso • May 15, 2019

Uber Eats still cheapest delivery service, MarketWatch reports

Despite recent changes to its fee structure and its IPO, a hamburger and fries on Uber Eats costs less than Grubhub, DoorDash and Postmates. 

By Julie Littman • May 13, 2019