Online ordering systems have evolved from a convenient option to a necessity for restaurants, especially when the pandemic started. Dine-in services were stopped for safety purposes, and so the only way to continue operations was through deliveries. Since then, the number of people ordering food to be delivered to their doorstep has increased dramatically and is continuously growing as time passes. Finding the right restaurant delivery model is extremely important if you own a restaurant and plan to deliver food directly to your customers to maximize your profits.
In this article, we’ll show you the best food delivery models you can choose from and the factors to consider before opting for one.
What to Consider Before Choosing a Restaurant Delivery Model
Before you decide to go with a particular delivery model, there are important factors you need to consider. By being prepared, you’re certain to have a smooth and easy process for making food deliveries.
Get Restaurant Insurance
Operating a restaurant is challenging. It’s prone to all sorts of dangers, including lawsuits and other severe liabilities. Restaurant insurance secures and helps protect your restaurant from potential risks and financial losses brought by damages and mishaps. You can choose your insurance program to include:
- General Liability
- Equipment Breakdown
- Business Interruption
- Liquor Liability
- Workers Compensation
- Food Contamination & Food Spoilage
- Commercial Auto Liability
- Umbrella Liability
- Cyber Liability
- Employment Practices Liability
- Directors & Officers Liability
The coverage mentioned above works to give your restaurant the protection it needs to stay afloat. Each model has its advantages, so you should choose the insurance that fits your specific requirements.
All restaurant operations are offered this kind of specialized coverage solution, including Fast Food Franchises, Fine Dining Restaurants, Casual Dining. Catering Services, Bars & Grills, Food Trucks, Purveyors, Coffee Shops/Roasters.
Good Food Packaging
Keep in mind that your packaging can affect your food’s quality especially when it comes to delivery orders that may take time to get to your customer’s doorstep. It is wise to invest in durable and sturdy containers so your food will always come in good shape.
Also, since certain dishes are fit to travel better than others, it’s a good idea to put some ingredients in separate containers for consumers to mix when they arrive. For example, if you’re serving buffalo wings, you can separate the sauce and chicken so they’ll still taste fresh after being on the road. Doing this will not only protect your food from spoiling but also allow you to reduce potential risks that may come with soggy dishes, making them more appetizing for customers who ordered.
Set Up a Good Team
Many people wonder if they should opt for third-party delivery services or create their own. However, regardless of your choice, having a team you can depend on is important. For delivery transactions to be successful, you need to maintain a strong, reliable team that’ll be able to respond quickly and efficiently to calls and orders. Handling delivery orders while catering to dine-in customers can be challenging, especially when it’s not your forte.
If you feel like you can’t do everything on your own, you can always ask for help. With a good team, you can easily offer an efficient, on-time service to your customers.
Communication is a Must
There’s no better way to prevent customers from being upset and disappointed with the outcome of their orders than to increase communication between the restaurant and their customers. While some food delivery models offer a chat system on their website, others only give the option of calling or texting the restaurant. Therefore, you need to always be attentive and ready to answer customer inquiries and concerns.
At the end of the day, it’s your responsibility to always be available and accessible to your customers. If you can do this, handling food deliveries will seem like a piece of cake.
Third-Party Delivery Models You Can Choose From:
Now that you know what needs to be prepared before taking on food deliveries, you can choose the third-party delivery model that will suit your restaurant with ease. There are various restaurant delivery models you can choose from, but these are the top ones:
Grubhub
Owned by Just Eat Takeaway, Grabhub connects consumers with local restaurants. This company is based in Chicago and was founded in 2004. As per Grabhub, standard fees include a 20% marketing fee applied as a percentage of each order received directly through the Grubhub platform and a 10% delivery fee for restaurants that choose to use their service.
DoorDash
Based in San Francisco, it is said to be the largest food delivery company in the country. DoorDash has been in operation for 8 years and has more than 70,000 restaurants on its database. They’re known for their one-stop delivery service that lets users order from a variety of restaurants.
UberEats
Launched by Uber in 2014, UberEats is the best platform for large orders. According to Uber Eats, restaurants on average pay a 30% commission fee on orders.
It can be difficult to decide which delivery system is ideal for you with so many options available to restaurant owners and operators. However, doing research and observing what’s best for your restaurant will make the decision-making way easier.
About Blue Sky Insurance Agency
For over 20 years, family owned Blue Sky Insurance Agency has proudly specialized in insurance and tax services for Virginia residents. Our philosophy is simple: “If you can dream it, we can insure it.” We strive to provide value to our clients by establishing and building relationships and focusing on more than just rates. We are dedicated to providing holistic and strategically tailored solutions to protect all of your assets, and to provide peace of mind wherever life takes you. To get in touch with us, fill out a complimentary quote form, or call us at one of our two locations:
North Chesterfield
Phone: (804) 745-4044
PO Box 35674
North Chesterfield, VA, 23235
Hours of Operation: Mon-Sat 9am-6pm
Richmond
Phone: (804) 404-2030
9932 Midlothian Turnpike
Richmond, VA, 23235
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