Food delivery is one of the game-changers in the foodservice industry. In a world where people lead busy, fast-paced lives, having your food prepared and delivered right to your doorstep can be the ultimate in convenience. And yet, people want something more than pizza or Chinese. They want the full variety of options available to customers who prefer dining out. Food delivery isn’t going away anytime soon, so fill up your commercial refrigerators and walkin cooler with your best ingredients and start taking advantage of this growing sector of the foodservice market.
1. Packaging
Product packaging must be able to do two things: support food products and maintain the quality and temperature of the food as it arrives at its destination. Boxes made of sturdy paper or corrugated cardboard can be used to prevent spillage when delivering dry food items. If you’re delivering salad dishes, you can use clear plastic lids to display the brightly colored contents inside. Hot items need sturdier materials that can withstand heat. A more costly but convenient option is to use microwavable plastic containers that let customers reheat the dish at home right before eating.
2. Branding
The first thing that customers see when they receive food delivery is the packaging. If you take full use of the packaging as a secondary marketing material, customers will instantly connect food delivery with your brand. All containers must display your logo and contact information. If your customers are mostly office workers, you may want to add a condensed menu to your packaging to encourage other people to order when they see the package sitting inside the company fridge.
3. Food
Take a look at your existing menu and see what items are suitable for delivery. Some items should be tweaked to help maintain their quality while in transit. For example, tacos are a huge favorite, but they don’t hold up if they aren’t eaten right away. If tacos are your bestsellers and customers insist on having them delivered, you can offer a deconstructed tacos option where the taco shells are separated from the fillings to keep them fresh upon arrival at your customer’s front door.
4. Service
With food delivery steadily gaining ground, you won’t be the only foodservice business offering this service to your customers. What can you do to add value so that your name stands out among the competition? You can add an extra dish to your package for free, such as a dessert or a sample of your newest offering. If you haven’t made this new dish available in-store yet, you can start with delivery customers and ask for their feedback. Going the extra mile makes your customers feel appreciated and very likely to order from you again.
5. Delivery
You won’t need to invest in a new restaurant equipment, but you’ll have to purchase a branded delivery truck that is fitted with the right equipment to transport food. If you don’t have the proper logistics, you can also team up with a third-party delivery provider such as GrubHub, UberEATS, or a local service. Before you choose a delivery partner, make sure you do your research properly. Conduct a thorough inspection of their processes and equipment to ensure they observe industry best practices in handling food items.
