As the foodservice industry branches out and more people prefer convenience whenever possible, the demand for online beverage delivery has skyrocketed in recent years. Delivery services such as Uber Eats, Grubhub, and DoorDash are convenient and often allow customers to customize their orders, making them preferable for restaurants and customers alike. However, this new trend of online beverage delivery has its pros and cons, which must be evaluated in order for the industry to make informed decisions.
For starters, remodeling and refurnishing the existing restaurant space to manage an increased number of deliveries can be costly. In addition, delivery services generally charge restaurants a commission for every order made through the platform, which can further erode the already slimmed down profit margins in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Assuming the newly added delivery costs are not high enough to discourage customers from ordering, the restaurant may still face the challenge of sustaining high demand for a certain period of time, due to the high cost of stocking perishable ingredients and beverages necessary for delivery.
However, on the plus side, setting up delivery service may open up a variety of potential benefits for many restaurants. Despite the costs of preparation and the commission charged by delivery services, many restaurants will experience higher sales turnover than they may have without the delivery system. Additionally, providing a delivery service allows restaurants to serve as many customers as possible with available resources, reaching even those with limited mobility. This aspect of delivery service may be especially beneficial for restaurants that have an especially loyal base of customers.
Likewise, customers can also experience many benefits from food delivery services. Customers have more control over customization of their orders when ordering through delivery services. This can be especially helpful for those with dietary restrictions. Furthermore, online delivery services are convenient and time-saving. They may also provide discounts to customers on occasion, making them more attractive when compared to the traditional method of ordering food.
From a business perspective, it may be useful to consider whether implementing delivery services is right for each establishment. Certain restaurants that already strive for healthy margins, and those that already have an effective ordering system in place, may find that delivery services would actually be detrimental to their business. Additionally, restaurants that have a difficult geographical location to reach in rural areas could benefit from delivery services, although the cost of setting up a delivery service may potentially outweigh any increased sales.
In the end, restaurant owners must carefully evaluate the cost-benefit ratio of implementing an online beverage delivery trend. Considering the potential benefits, such as higher sales revenue and convenience, it is clear that delivery services can provide customers and restaurants with a significant competitive edge. Assessing the local market and competitors, and accurately weighing out the pros and cons, should be at the top of the list for any restaurant owner hoping to benefit from online delivery trends.
