So, you’ve decided to start your own restaurant. Things are going well, and people are beginning to fill up your dining room. Now you’re wondering if you should use one of those delivery apps to deliver your food. Take a look what I found, because it might shock you to learn what’s going on behind the scenes of these apps.
Delivery Apps Charge you Money
Those apps charge both you and the customer. You have enough costs as it is; now you’ve got to tack on another charge. The amount they charge varies depending on the delivery app, so it’s best to read the fine print.
Getting ahold of these people on the phone can be challenging. If you’ve got the patience of a sloth, you might be able to get through to them. However, don’t hold your breath, or you might turn blue on the face. Read the fine print and ask around to see how much others are being soaked for having their food delivered, and you might be surprised by the cost.
You Have No Control Over Who Delivers the Food
The delivery apps are supposed to screen the delivery drivers, but their screening process leaves a lot to be desired. The person delivering your food might have a trashy car, and the person themselves could stink or just be a jerk. You have no idea who will deliver your food, which could leave you with a sinking feeling in your stomach.
When someone delivers your food, they are an extension of your brand. The customer doesn’t say to themselves that the delivery person is from the app. They’ll look at your food and determine the quality of your restaurant based on what was delivered to them. If the product is anything but stellar, you know there are going to be plenty of problems.
Something else you need to consider is you don’t know how timely the delivery driver is going to be. Will they beat around the bush or drive around in circles talking on their phone instead of delivering your food? No one knows, and anyone who tries to understand some of these delivery drivers needs to have a doctorate in mental health.
Sometimes, It’s Finest to Deliver your Own Food
If you want to have your food delivered, the best option might be to deliver it yourself. The delivery apps are super convenient, but they have their drawbacks. Small restaurants have it hard enough as it is; you add another challenge of a third-party delivery service, and things get even crazier.
It seems that every restaurant these days is delivering. You don’t want to be left out of the crowd because it could mean you lose business. The problem with it is if you have someone else deliver your food, it’s not just another person, but it’s an entirely different company. It’s a whole world of red tape and confusion just waiting to explode.
Not All Restaurants Need Delivery
The restaurant world acts like delivery is this new idea, but it really isn’t. There are plenty of restaurants that don’t deliver, and no one can force you to. If your dining area is always packed and your takeout orders are doing well, there’s no reason why you should add delivery. Sometimes, delivery just bogs down your system and causes unwanted delays for guests eating at your restaurant because you’re filling orders to be taken out the door by delivery drivers. If your loyal guests find themselves waiting longer than they normally do because you’re working on delivery orders, you could find your dine-in traffic dwindling.
