With social distancing the new norm, consumers are clamoring to have takeout food delivered. Third-party delivery services are partnering with businesses large and small.
Offering delivery can help restaurants mitigate costs during this period of disruption and also ease the return to normal working conditions once COVID-19 is no longer a threat. The rate of adaption to new regulations, technologies, and ways of working has allowed thousands of operators to offer uninterrupted service in a time of great uncertainty.
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly how much growth there has been in this area, since services such as Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Postmates haven’t released recent usage statements. But higher demand has led to higher pricing in some areas and some companies are recruiting new drivers for their delivery to staff. Uber, for example, recently provided Uber-only drivers with information on adding Uber Eats food deliveries to their services. Within the first week, around 15% of Uber drivers had completed their first food delivery.
At the same time, restaurants that did not previously offer delivery are now doing so. This list includes small-town locales and fast food as well as fine dining establishments. For example, Hide, a high-end restaurant in Mayfair, London, partnered with Supper, a third-party delivery company that specializes in delivering fine restaurant meals. Prices start at £3 for bread and butter and go up to £240 for 30g of Beluga caviar.
Changing regulations means that in many places, beer, wine, and alcohol are also on the menu for delivery.
