Setting up delivery for your restaurant is easier than you think

Guests are hungrier than ever for online ordering and food delivery—in fact, over half of guests said they will dine somewhere else if a restaurant doesn’t offer carryout/delivery online. Plus, with two-thirds of guests ordering online 2x or more per week, restaurants who embrace this trend and meet guests where they are – whether at home, at work, or on the go – are poised to thrive in the ever-evolving food industry. By offering online ordering and delivery services, you can cater to the demands of modern consumers, expand their reach, and tap into a lucrative market segment.

But setting up delivery is easier said than done, right? Wrong. Adding delivery to your operations can be easier and cheaper than you might think—thanks to DoorDash Drive.

What is DoorDash Drive?

DoorDash Drive is a white-label fulfillment service that allows your restaurant to access DoorDash’s delivery fleet. It differs from DoorDash’s website and app (otherwise known as DoorDash Marketplace) in that it allows customers to order directly from your website, app, or other channels all for a single flat fee. That’s right, no variable commissions. So, even if you have lower-priced menu items, you don’t lose profit due to a high commission structure.

Eric Handwerger, Owner of Ocean State Sandwich Company, implemented DoorDash Drive with his first-party online ordering for exactly that reason. “I got tired of somebody ordering two water bottles for delivery. I’m losing money on that,” Eric shared. “DoorDash Drive has a flat rate and I can pass all of that to the customer if I want. Now, I don’t see any of those fees, just my base after tax. I couldn’t be happier.”

‍

‍

How DoorDash Drive works.

• Guests browse your website and decide to order delivery from your menu.
• Guests pay a flat fee on delivery orders.
• DoorDash dispatches drivers to pick up the order from your restaurant and deliver it directly to the customers on demand.
• You deliver great service to your guests AND maximize profit.

Hattie B’s, a popular hot chicken restaurant based out of Nashville, TN, started using DoorDash Drive in 2022 to maintain a branded online ordering experience for their customers. “DoorDash Drive really helps us keep our lines a little bit shorter,” Brian Morris, Executive Chef, shared with DoorDash. “Not only is it better for the guest experience, but it demonstrates meaningful, measurable financial results.” In their first quarter with the delivery service, the restaurant saw a 15% increase in delivery sales and a $3 increase in average check size.

‍

‍

Setup is easy (no, really).

While adding delivery may sound like a significant operational change, it’s simple with DoorDash Drive—especially if you’re already offering ordering directly on your online menus. Plus, it doesn’t become a significant burden on staff. The only thing they have to do is keep an eye out for drivers picking up orders.

• Set up your DoorDash Drive account.
• Enable delivery in your online ordering system.
• Select the locations where you want to make delivery available.
• Update the delivery hours.
• Choose how you want to distribute the flat delivery fee.some text
  • You can pass it off to customers, pay for it yourself, or split it between you and your customers.

With competition in the restaurant industry heating up, offering seamless online ordering and effective delivery is a great way to keep your business growing. To learn more about how DoorDash Drive can grow business for your restaurant, watch our on-demand webinar now.

‍