Instacart Appoints Two New Executives To Leadership Team

Instacart, the North American leader in online grocery delivery, today announced the addition of two new executives to its leadership team. Experienced human resources executive and people leader Christina Hall has joined Instacart as the company's first Chief Human Resources Officer. Additionally, as part of the company's continued investment in product development, Instacart has named Ariel Bardin as Senior Vice President of Product. These new leadership hires come as Instacart continues to build out its teams and scale to meet the increased consumer demand for its online grocery delivery and pickup services...

Albertsons Companies Unveils PickUp Lockers as Newest Addition to e-Commerce Lineup

Albertsons Companies (NYSE: ACI) today announced that it is piloting PickUp lockers in select Chicago Jewel-Osco and Bay Area Safeway stores as the newest easy fulfillment option for e-Commerce orders made through the company’s websites and apps.

The company already offers in-house Delivery and Drive Up & Go options through its innovative websites and apps, and has partnerships with third-party operators to provide fast delivery options. Albertsons Cos., which reported a 276% increase in digital sales in its first fiscal quarter and continues to add Drive Up & Go stores throughout the country, is looking at all of the ways that it can make customers’ lives – and their grocery shopping – easier and more exciting...

DoorDash And Taco Bell Announce Nationwide Partnership

DoorDash and Taco Bell announced their new partnership across over 5,500 locations nationwide. In celebration of the partnership, starting October 15, registered DoorDash users can get 50 percent off Taco Bell’s biggest nachos box ever, the Nachos Party Pack, with a $0 delivery fee when they spend $15 or more. The deal is exclusively available on DoorDash beginning October 15 through October 24.

“We’re excited to team up with DoorDash to give our fans the ability to satisfy their cravings for Taco Bell more easily,” said Nikki Lawson, Taco Bell’s Chief Global Brand Officer. “Growing delivery has always been a priority for the brand and through this partnership...

COVID-19 has Flipped the Value Proposition of Omnichannel Shopping for Constrained Consumers 

With few alternatives available during the widespread lockdowns earlier this year, e-commerce quickly became a go-to means-to-an-end for shop-needy consumers around the globe. Six months later, that early reliance on e-commerce has expanded into a fundamental dependence on still-evolving omnichannel shopping experiences.

The premise of omnichannel shopping certainly wasn’t borne out of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the global health crisis has dramatically elevated consumers’ use of both on- and offline channels in tandem, whether for click-and-collect, contactless delivery or an array of other fulfillment options. And across consumer groups, online channels have become the most critical shopping resources for...

Little Caesars and DoorDash Announce Marketplace Partnership

Little Caesars and DoorDash announced a major expansion of their exclusive partnership, extending the availability of Little Caesars delivery to the DoorDash app and website. Little Caesars delivery, already available directly through the Little Caesars app and website in the US and Canada, will now also be available on DoorDash's third-party delivery marketplace for the first time.

"Little Caesars is committed to providing quality, convenience and value to our customers, which is why earlier this year, we partnered with DoorDash to make fast and affordable Little Caesars delivery possible through the Little Caesars app and website," said Ed Gleich, senior vice president of innovation at Little Caesars. "Today, we're excited to expand our product availability to the DoorDash app so pizza lovers can have even more options for...

Instacart Raises $200 Million in New Funding as Grocery Delivery, Pickup Booms During Pandemic

Grocery delivery service Instacart announced it has raised $200 million in funding led by existing investors Valiant Peregrine Fund and D1 Capital Partners.

2020 has been a strong year for the company, which has seen its valuation more than double since the year began as consumers have pivoted to online grocery shopping during the coronavirus pandemic.

According to CNBC, the company’s valuation jumped to $17.7 billion following the funding round, up from $7.9 billion when 2020 began. Instacart is now...

Kroger Testing Ghost Kitchens in Pair of Midwest Stores

Through a partnership with ghost kitchen start-up ClusterTruck, top U.S. retailer Kroger will debut a pair of delivery and pickup-only kitchens in two of its Kroger stores in Indianapolis, Indiana and Columbus, Ohio.

Kroger said it the kitchens will provide a variety of freshly prepared meals on-demand with no service or delivery fees.

The decision to create the on-site kitchens stems from a pilot launched in December of 2019 in Carmel, Indiana and the aforementioned cities. Still, the pilot was an off-premises concept, the new kitchens will be about 1,000 square feet of culinary space...

More Than 60% of Americans Have Dined In a Restaurant in the Past Month, Despite COVID-19 Concerns

A survey of 501 people in the U.S. found that 63% of Americans ate at a restaurant at least once in July, with 22% dining in a restaurant five or more times. At the same time, 58% of Americans said they would feel uncomfortable or very uncomfortable eating in a restaurant because of the coronavirus. The study was conducted by B2B research firm The Manifest.

The contradiction between people's discomfort about in-restaurant dining and their actions is likely a result of access to outside dining options during the summer months.

With as many as 75% of restaurants at risk of going out of business, local restaurants and small business restaurant owners must prepare for...

Research and Markets: Consumer Spending in QSRs and Growing Online Food Delivery

According to Research and Markets, the U.S. foodservice market is projected to witness a CAGR of 3.7% during the forecast period, 2020-2025.

Increased digitalization of food service is among the primary factors driving the market, as consumers find it comfortable to book prior and make payments online.

Fast food restaurants focusing on organic produce and healthy food are expected to be the focus of the market in the future. In the United States, the demand for organic food is rapidly rising. However, factors, like...

New York City Partners with Mercato to Equip Independent Grocers with Online Ordering & Delivery

Mercato has been selected by the City of New York to become the eCommerce marketplace that will connect underserved NYC communities to local grocery stores. Through this partnership, select stores in all five boroughs will begin offering their inventory online and via local delivery - a functionality these stores weren't previously equipped with.

"As a native New Yorker and the son of an independent grocer in Brooklyn, I am excited to work with the City to support these neighborhood grocers and to announce Mercato's commitment to improving access to quality food for residents of areas that were impacted by the COVID crisis while also providing these local retailers with a new sales channel..."

Sweet Earth Foods Launches Plant-Based Bacon Cheeseburger in Foodservice 

Sweet Earth Foods, a Nestlé brand and award-winning plant-based food innovator, announced the launch of their Plant-Based Triple Play, a fully plant-based bac'n cheezeburger to debut in foodservice.

The launch will debut at The University of Massachusetts Dining Program, which is the largest collegiate dining program in America and a recognized leader in campus food quality, nutrition, and innovation.

To celebrate National Cheeseburger Day (September 18th), they'll feature the Sweet Earth Plant-Based Triple Play in their Amherst location's dining halls, take-away, through...

Dunkin' Delivery with DoorDash Now Available at 3,500 Restaurants Nationwide

Dunkin' and DoorDash have teamed up to make delivery available at approximately 3,500 Dunkin' restaurants across the country, with further expansion planned over the coming months. To officially kick off the relationship, DoorDash is treating guests with a special offer. Starting September 15 through September 21, consumers that spend $10 or more on Dunkin' through DoorDash will be eligible for a free 25-count box of Munchkins and a $0 delivery fee.

According to Brandy Blackwell, Director of New Business, Delivery & Catering, for Dunkin' U.S., "Dunkin' guests know they can count on us to offer the most convenient ways to enjoy their favorite coffee and...

Postmates Becomes Official On-Demand Food Delivery Partner of The NFL

The National Football League and Postmates, have entered into a multi-year sponsorship agreement making Postmates the first official on-demand food delivery partner of the NFL. Postmates is also an official sponsor of NFL premier events including the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl and Draft, to name a few.

"People across the country aren't just ready to order their favorite gameday foods, they are eagerly awaiting the return of football. While most fans won't be able to physically go to the game, this partnership with the NFL allows us to bring the gameday experience, and...

Kentucky Fried Chicken Announces Partnership with DoorDash

Kentucky Fried Chicken announced that its world-famous fried chicken is now available for order and on-demand delivery through DoorDash. To celebrate the new partnership, KFC and DoorDash are offering fried chicken fans across the U.S. an irresistible deal: Beginning September 8, through Thursday, September 17, customers will receive 12 free chicken tenders with the purchase of select KFC bucket meals on orders placed through the DoorDash website or app with promo code KFC12.

To sweeten the deal, customers will also receive $0 delivery fees alongside their select bucket meal purchase, available from more than 3,000 KFC restaurant locations through September 17.

Since 1952, KFC has helped families enjoy a bucket of fried chicken practically anywhere, traveling easily while staying fresh and ready-to-eat. Some might even say...

Del Taco and Beyond Meat Team Up with DoorDash to Offer Free Delivery this Labor Day Weekend 

Del Taco Restaurants announced a new way to relax and enjoy a plant-based meal at home this Labor Day weekend, thanks to the brand’s partnership with Beyond Meat and DoorDash. Starting this Friday, September 4, through Monday, September 7, fans can use the DoorDash app to receive free delivery on all orders that include any Epic Burrito with Beyond Meat.

Del Taco’s foil-wrapped Epic Burritos deliver fast-casual quality with fast food convenience and value. Each burrito weighs about one pound, and are loaded with premium, fresh ingredients, and offered in combinations including...

Instacart Adds 7-Eleven as First National Convenience Store Partner

Instacart and 7-Eleven announced a new collaboration that brings same-day delivery to customers, often in as fast as 30 minutes. Together, Instacart and 7-Eleven now offer delivery of thousands of convenience, alcohol, and grocery items from the store to customers' doors in participating pilot markets. The multi-phased launch is live in more than 750 stores in Dallas, Miami, Baltimore, Washington D.C. and the surrounding areas, with plans to expand nationally to more than 7,000 7-Eleven stores across the U.S.

"We're excited to introduce 7-Eleven as Instacart's first national convenience store partner. 7-Eleven is a beloved, generational brand with a deep legacy. Most of us grew up with a 7-Eleven in our neighborhood and probably remember...

Retailer Introduces ‘Dark Store’ Focusing Solely on Online Grocery Shopping

Whole Foods is launching its first ‘dark store’ a facility that will solely operate to fulfill the Amazon-owned grocer’s online orders.

The store will not be open to the public, so customers cannot stroll in like a traditional grocery store. This new experiment follows the COVID-19 pandemic where online grocery ordering witnessed a significant uptick as customers were unwilling to risk a trip to pick up food.

According to USA TODAY, the new concept was in the works pre-COVID...

Demand for Foodservice Single-Use Products Boosted by Surging Off-Premise Dining

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing severe disruption in the nearly $4 trillion global foodservice market:

• As outlets across all industry segments face steep declines in sales volumes due to restrictions on aspects of foodservice, such as dine-in capacity, that have been implemented to contain the virus, many establishments, particularly in the full-service sector, face permanent closure.
• These shuttered businesses are expected to be replaced with new ones as the pandemic recedes and economic activities, including...

Church's Chicken Introduces New "Go Box"

Originally established as Church's Fried Chicken To Go, Church's Chicken was built on the idea of convenience and accessibility for quality, value, and Texas-inspired flavor – which has become an even more pronounced focus for the brand today.

With COVID-19 significantly shifting consumer habits and increasing demand for off-premise dining, Church's is reconnecting with its to-go roots by offering a signature carrier option for guests to grab and go. Church's new "Go Box" provides...

Incogmeato Launches Partnership with Postmates to Bring a One-Bite Challenge to Plant-Based Skeptics

To celebrate National Burger Day on Aug. 27, Incogmeato by MorningStar Farms is issuing a simple challenge to flexitarian eaters in Dallas and Denver, and Twitter users nationwide – give Incogmeato's plant-based burger just one bite.

Sixty percent of Americans want to eat more plant-based but hesitate due to fears it won't taste as good as meat. Incogmeato is attempting to reassure flexitarians that its line of plant-based burgers, brats, sausage and chik'n nuggets look, cook and taste just like the real thing. To make overcoming first bite fears easy, Incogmeato is...

Panera Accelerates Digital Commerce and Off Premise Offerings

Panera is making it easier to order food through Google Search, Google Maps and Google Assistant. As more people search for and order food online, the integration with Google's platforms expands Panera's off-premise capabilities and accessibility to meet the customer where they are. Available at participating bakery-cafes across the country, guests can easily order their Panera favorites through Google for contactless Curbside Pick-Up or Delivery with the touch of a button. For a limited time, guests who order Panera through Google will receive 20% off their first Delivery or Curbside Pick-Up order of $20 or more.

The ability to order directly on Google will allow Panera to further embrace the growing trend of mobile food ordering, where guests can easily place an order directly from their local bakery-cafe. Seamlessly integrated with contactless payments including...

BJ’s Wholesale Club Adds Contactless Shopping Option with Launch of Curbside Pickup

BJ’s Wholesale Club announced the availability of contactless, curbside pickup at all BJ’s Wholesale Club locations to make it even more convenient for members to shop.

“It’s more important than ever to provide our members with a variety of convenient options to shop the club,” said Jeff Desroches, executive vice president, Club Operations Officer. “Our new, contactless curbside pickup service is another example...

White Castle Teams Up with Postmates 

Postmates has partnered with White Castle, America's first fast-food hamburger chain and the home of The Original Slider to offer customers on-demand delivery.

"White Castle has been serving its customers for almost 100 years, and we are proud to be a part of their...

Taco Bell Announces Plans for New Restaurant Concept

Taco Bell, a brand that prides itself in evolving to deliver on changing consumer behavior, is at it again. As seen in its recent menu evolution and digital rehaul, the brand has continued to redefine itself across all consumer touchpoints.

Now, Taco Bell is merging technological advancements, innovative operations and a people-first approach into its most modern Taco Bell expression yet: Taco Bell Go Mobile. The new restaurant concept allows Taco Bell, an industry leader in traditional drive-thru service, to push...

Over a Fifth of Canadians Have Bought More Groceries Online Due to COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated Canadian usage of e-commerce with online grocery being one of the main benefactors. The latest research from Mintel reveals that by mid-April, almost four in 10 (37%) Canadians were shopping more online, with 22% of Canadians specifically noting they were buying more groceries online due to COVID-19, including 10% of seniors (those aged 65+).

Physical grocery stores have a big challenge to encourage consumers to come back into stores and spend time inside. Mintel's research shows that as of mid-April, 70% of Canadian shoppers were...

Postmates And Panera Partner to Bring Panera Favorites Straight to Doorsteps

Postmates and Panera are teaming up to conveniently bring freshly prepared, wholesome soups, salads and sandwiches to customers at participating Panera locations nationwide. Whether customers are craving freshly baked bread, their morning coffee and pastry or a comforting bowl of mac and cheese, Postmates and Panera have them covered with contactless delivery. To celebrate this exciting partnership, Postmates and Panera have launched the "Food Mood" promotion featuring Postmates' first ever virtual "Food Mood" ring which will determine a surprise offer.

"At Panera, our goal is to make high quality, delicious food accessible for all. We are excited to partner with Postmates to provide a new level of convenience for customers and reach...

Consumers Are Eager to Dine Out and Support Local

Fatigued by cooking at home, consumers are anxious to dine at their favorite restaurants according to a new Oracle Food and Beverage study. The survey found that 59% of US and 47% of UK consumers plan to dine-out as soon as they are able. In fact, as soon as it's deemed safe to reopen, 26% of US respondents and 14% of the UK said they plan to return in the first week.

Diners are looking for reassurance on cleaning procedures and technology to reduce contact with servers. Forty percent of those surveyed in the US and 39% in the UK said they would feel safer if they could view the menu from their mobile device, while...

Kroger Ship to Integrate a Marketplace this Fall

The Kroger Co. announced Kroger Ship will expand to offer an extended ship-to-home assortment through a marketplace offering of third-party sellers powered by Mirakl, the leading software platform enabling B2C and B2B digital marketplaces.

"Our customers are increasingly turning to our e-commerce solutions provided at Kroger.com for their grocery and household essential needs. To better serve our customers, we're continuing to invest in technology that enables us to expand our digital services to deliver anything, anytime, anywhere," said Jody Kalmbach, Kroger's group vice president of product experience. "Leveraging Mirakl's best-in-class marketplace solution, we are...

Uber Sees Doubling in UberEats Operations as Ride Hailing Business Stays Low

On August 6, Uber Technologies Incorporated (San Francisco, CA) announced its quarterly earnings results. The company's UberEats unit remains the bright spot for the company, seeing revenue doubled to $1.2 billion as Americans continue to stay at home despite changes in restaurant operation across various states since April. This is in contrast to the ongoing sharp declines in the company's flagship ride-hailing unit as fewer riders and drivers in the US returned to the platform despite improvements in other countries where coronavirus effects are currently more muted...

Applebee's to Celebrate National Chicken Wing Day with Special Offer 

This Wednesday, Applebee's is celebrating National Chicken Wing Day. On July 29th, Applebee's is offering guests buy one, get one free for to go or delivery on any of its wing options. The offer is valid for online orders only, which consumers can place through the restaurant's website or app for carside pickup or delivery.

Guests can choose from two orders of boneless, two orders of bone-in, or one of each. Once added to the cart, consumers should enter WINGDAY at checkout to get the deal. Options include...

Denny's Announces Free Delivery for the Remainder of 2020 

Denny's announced the opportunity for all Rewards members to receive free delivery for the rest of the year through the Denny's on Demand platform.

Denny's Rewards members just need to place an order between July 27 – August 9 and they will receive a weekly coupon via email to be redeemed for free delivery once a week until the end of 2020. Non-Rewards members can still get in on the free delivery action by signing up for Denny's Rewards and placing an order between July 27 – August 9.

"Over the past several months as in-restaurant dining has been in a state of change due to COVID-19, we have seen...

Food and Beverage E-Commerce Sales Growing Rapidly but Still Small

Even prior to the coronavirus pandemic, online sales of food and beverages in the U.S. have been growing rapidly and totaled about $17 billion in 2018. They are forecast to increase 32% per year through 2023, according to Packaged Facts in the report U.S. Beverage Market Outlook 2020: Grocery Shopping & Personal Consumption in the Coronavirus Era.

Yet, while e-commerce sales are growing rapidly, they still represent a very small percentage—about 4%—of total food and beverage sales.

The impact of online sales varies by food category, ranging from less than 1% to 3% of sales. Coffee and tea sell the best, while dairy and juices...

Hard Rock Cafe Announces Free Delivery Promotion Through July 28 in Partnership with Grubhub

Hard Rock Cafe announced participating U.S. locations are offering free delivery on orders of $10 or more now through July 28 in partnership with Grubhub, to bring guests' favorite Hard Rock Cafe dishes directly to their home.

Guests looking to place an order for delivery or takeout are encouraged to visit www.hardrockcafe.com or Grubhub.com to view the menu and make a selection. Diners can then place their order through Hard Rock Cafe or Grubhub's website, as well as Grubhub's mobile app.

In addition to the limited-time delivery promotion, Hard Rock is offering a free kids meal with purchase of an adult entrée. Kids menu favorites include...

7-Eleven Launches Order Ahead and Expands Delivery Footprint 

7-Eleven's proprietary 7NOW delivery app has officially expanded to offer customers the option to order and pay for items ahead of time, offering added convenience and minimized time spent in stores.

“As people struggle to adapt to new routines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, 7‑Eleven is committed to helping customers get what they need — when, where and how they need it,” said 7‑Eleven Chief Operating Officer Chris Tanco. “The new pickup option on our 7NOW delivery app is an example of how we’re meeting customer’s needs to be in and out of stores quickly with minimal touchpoints and increased physical distancing, while also...

Tim Hortons U.S. Partners with Grubhub for Delivery in Select Markets

Tim Hortons U.S. is partnering with Grubhub, a leading online and mobile food-ordering and delivery marketplace, to offer delivery in select regional markets, including Grand Rapids, Michigan, Detroit, Michigan, Rochester, New York, and Columbus, Ohio. For a limited time, Tim Hortons guests can receive free delivery and a free 10-pack of Timbits on orders of $10 or more exclusively through Grubhub.

From bakery favorites, including the new line of Dream Donuts, to Tim Hortons signature coffee, it has never been easier to get Tim Hortons delivered. Guests in select markets can now easily order all their Tim Hortons favorites through...

Grubhub Releases Second Annual State of the Plate Report

We're officially in the second half of 2020, and it's time to turn the dial back to take a look at how we ate our way through the beginning of a year unlike any other we've seen before. Grubhub, a leading online and mobile food-ordering and delivery marketplace, launched its latest report, "State of the Plate", looking at trends across the more than half a million orders placed a day. Grubhub's mid-year report checks in on the popular food trends to date and what quarantined Americans ordered through contact-free delivery, and predicts what we can expect to see more of in the second half of the year.

From grabbing a chorizo burrito (270% more popular) for breakfast, a cheesy breadstick snack (412% more popular), a plant-based burger (291% more popular), or a fit-for-quarantine meal kit (orders of meal kits rose 55%), below are the trends loved so far this year...

Target Enhances Online Grocery Pickup Service

Target’s making it easier than ever for consumers to get what they need to enjoy the season. Starting this week, consumers can shop fresh and frozen grocery items via Target's Order Pickup and Drive Up services at more than 400 stores.

“When it comes to safe, fast and easy shopping, Target leads the way,” says Dawn Block, senior vice president, digital, Target. “By expanding our Order Pickup and Drive Up assortment to include fresh and frozen grocery items, we’re making the Target Run even easier—ensuring that guests can get everything they need, using the fast, convenient services they already love.”

Select stores in Illinois, Ohio, Colorado, Utah, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky and Kansas now offer the enhanced service, where guests can shop 750 items across...

Uber Unveils Grocery Delivery

Uber Technologies, Inc. announced that users in select Latin American and Canadian cities can now order groceries through the Uber and Uber Eats apps, in partnership with Cornershop, the popular grocery delivery startup based in Santiago, Chile. This follows the companies’ 2019 agreement for Uber to acquire a majority stake in Cornershop, which is expected to close in the coming days. Today’s news marks Uber and Cornershop’s first integrated grocery delivery experience.

Uber connects people and communities with the tap of a button, including rides, prepared food, retail goods—and now groceries. Starting today, shoppers in select cities in Latin America, Canada and coming later this month, the United States, can find grocery delivery opportunities through both Uber and Uber Eats apps, furthering Uber’s vision of bringing people closer to...

Wingstop Opens First Ghost Kitchen in U.S.

Wingstop has announced the opening of its first domestic ghost kitchen located in the brand’s hometown of Dallas.

At the onset of COVID-19 in March 2020, Wingstop moved quickly to close its dining rooms and shift to 100% off-premise. Wingstop was well-positioned based on its pre-COVID investments in digital and technology platforms, allowing for the brand to seamlessly shift from 80% off-premise and adapt to the change in consumers’ dining behaviors. The resiliency of Wingstop was demonstrated in its April 2020 same-store sales growth of 33.4% and 65% digital sales, which included a delivery sales mix of more than 30% of total sales.

“We have a goal to digitize 100% of transactions as we drive to become a top 10 global restaurant brand and we believe ghost kitchens are a great step for the brand as...

Domino's Introduces Carside Delivery 

Domino's Pizza is offering customers of the brand yet another way to carry out their favorite pizza: via Domino's Carside Delivery. Domino's Carside Delivery is a new contactless carryout option that customers can choose when placing a prepaid online order, and it is now available in stores across the U.S.

"Domino's is all about providing a delicious, hot meal, the way customers want it – whether via carryout or delivery," said Dennis Maloney, Domino's senior vice president-chief innovation officer. "Domino's Carside Delivery gives customers the option to stay in their vehicle while...

Chipotle Announces Partnership with Grubhub to Expand Delivery Footprint

Chipotle Mexican Grill announced that it is partnering with Grubhub, the nation's leading pickup and delivery marketplace with the largest network of restaurant partners, to expand its delivery footprint in the U.S. Chipotle and Grubhub have established a fully-integrated partnership to provide efficient operations and a seamless diner experience, ensuring food arrives as fresh and fast as possible. Available now, customers can order from Chipotle locations through the Grubhub app or Grubhub.com.

Digital orders from Chipotle are customized via the brand's Digital Kitchens, which are comprised of a dedicated ingredient station and operated by a special team in nearly all Chipotle locations. Chipotle deliveries also feature a tamper evident packaging seal to help ensure food is untouched during delivery. Grubhub users will also...

Church's Chicken Rallies in Q2, Sets Sights on Continued Growth and Positive Momentum

Just six months ago, Church's Chicken turned in its best performance in ten years for comparable same-store sales, and made 2020 the launch date for the brand's five-year strategic plan. Then, like all restaurants and businesses, plans were set back due to COVID-19 and the brand enacted a refocused action plan in response. Overall, the COVID-19 sales challenges were only temporary for Church's, as it reports that domestic sales have returned to pre-pandemic positive trends the past two months.

"Without question, our ability to weather this crisis is due to our entire franchise community, corporate and restaurant team members coming together to quickly and effectively adapt to a changing market and continue to...

Six Flags Announces New Mobile Food Ordering

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation announced the biggest planned rollout of Mobile Food Ordering in the regional theme park space. As more Six Flags parks open with new safety guidelines in place, the program offers a minimal to no-contact process with the use of the Six Flags App.

“Social distancing is a key component of our operations. By utilizing Mobile Food Ordering, guests will spend significantly less time in food lines and more time enjoying their visit. More than 75% of our dining locations now offer...

Chipotle Expands Digital Platform with Canadian App Launch and U.S. Ordering Enhancements

Chipotle Mexican Grill announced a series of innovations to its digital platform to increase access and convenience for guests, including the introduction of the Chipotle app in Canada. Now guests in Canada can order their favorite Chipotle meals via Chipotle.ca or the Chipotle app, as well as through DoorDash and Uber Eats.

"Investing in our digital ecosystem in Canada will enhance the guest experience and position us well for future growth," said Anat Davidzon, Managing Director – Canada, Chipotle.

Chipotle is also introducing a series of enhancements to its mobile ordering capabilities including Pepper, its Concierge Bot on Facebook Messenger. Beginning June 22, customers can...

Instacart Announces $225 Million In New Funding Led By DST Global, General Catalyst And D1 Capital

Instacart, the North American leader in online grocery, today announced it has raised $225 million as part of a new financing round led by DST Global and General Catalyst, with existing investor D1 Capital Partners participating. The investment comes as Instacart continues to experience an unprecedented surge in customer demand for grocery delivery and pickup. Today's announcement increases the company's valuation to $13.7 billion...

COVID-19 Is Reshaping the $4 Trillion Global Foodservice Industry

COVID-19 is reshaping the nearly $4 trillion global foodservice industry, with a number of permanent effects expected. Not only is the pandemic accelerating growth of existing trends like online food delivery and curbside pickup, it is giving rise to new ones, such as expanded sanitation protocols and social-distancing dining.

While creative fads are unlikely to go mainstream, foodservice establishments must find ways to adapt to market challenges such as limited-capacity seating and quell consumer concerns about contagion in order stay competitive.

A new Freedonia Group analysis examines the short- and long-term impacts of COVID-19 on global foodservice revenues, which are forecast to rise...

Impossible Foods Launches Direct-to-Consumer Sales and Accelerates Retail Expansion

Impossible Foods is launching an all-new e-commerce site today, allowing people in the lower 48 states to buy the award-winning, plant-based Impossible Burger and cook it at home.

The startup’s direct-to-consumer channel offers family-size quantities of the award-winning, plant-based Impossible Burger starting at $49.99 (plus tax). The orders come with compostable and recyclable packaging, free shipping and two-day home delivery.

Impossible Foods has increased its retail footprint nearly 20-fold since the start of 2020, and its flagship product is now available in over...

DoorDash Launches Initiative to Continue Supporting Local Restaurants

DoorDash announced Main Street Strong, an initiative to help restaurants navigate the recovery phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this initiative, DoorDash is launching a suite of products, programs, and policies to help restaurants grow their business and take control of the customer experience by building their own digital ordering solutions.

As part of the "Main Street Strong" initiative, DoorDash is announcing new products and programs aimed at helping restaurants build their own brands online according to their unique needs.

Launching DoorDash Storefront, a service that enables restaurants to create their own online stores, providing them with a turnkey solution to offer their customers on-demand access to their restaurant without investing in in-house logistics. By our estimate, 40% of our restaurant partners today do not have...

Food E-commerce Market Projected to Reach $498 Million by 2026

Consumer behavior in the food industry is transforming owing to rising e-commerce and technological trends. The food and beverage industry is gradually moving towards e-commerce, that's certain, but its full potential is yet to be exploited.

Infinium global research has recently published a global report on "Food E-commerce Market," the reported study estimated the market for food e-commerce to be USD 138 million in 2019 and is projected to reach up to USD 498 million in 2026, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 20.3%, over the forecast period of...

Has the Coronavirus Caused Consumers to Adopt New Eating Behaviors? 

Although social distancing measures have forced many people to stay indoors and start experimenting in the kitchen, the verdict is mixed on home cooking. According to Datassential, two in five consumers did not actually start cooking more often. However, about 35% found joy and excitement in discovering new dishes, yet more than a third of Gen X and households with children are sick of having to cook more often for their families.

For the most part, the pandemic has encouraged very few consumers to adopt new shopping and dining strategies, the rest are maintaining their prior routines. Online grocery shopping and grocery delivery have benefited the most from these new trials, with 21% trying grocery pickup for the first time, and...

Technomic: Consumer Perspective on Social Distancing Measures within Restaurants

Following CDC guidelines for safe social distancing, half of consumers would be comfortable dining in at restaurants with a 6-foot distance between tables. However, more than a quarter would be more comfortable with 9-15 feet.

More consumers willing to social distance than wear protective gear

More than half of consumers would follow social distancing measures, but less than half would be willing to wear a mask or gloves when in a restaurant. Consumers ages 35-44 are more likely to...

SNAP Online Purchasing to Cover 90% of Households

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced that households in 13 new states – Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia – will soon be able to purchase food online with their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Once operational, online purchasing will be available in 36 states and the District of Columbia, home to more than 90% of SNAP participants. 

In addition, Secretary Perdue also announced an expansion of independently owned and operated retail stores beyond those included in the original pilot. Soon more SNAP authorized retailers, under...

Postmates Introduces Curbside Pickup For Restaurants And Retailers

Postmates announced an industry first: Curbside Pickup. This new pickup product for merchants is meant to help responsibly accelerate reopening of local businesses by enabling customers and fleet to pick up orders curbside, rather than going into the physical store -- a capability that most businesses don't currently have today.

"Restaurants and retailers across the country are ready to open their doors again and we've created Curbside Pickup to help them open quickly and serve customers as smoothly as possible," said Bastian Lehmann, CEO and co-founder of Postmates.

To use this feature, the merchant will...

While Total U.S. Restaurant Traffic Declines by 22% in March, Digital and Delivery Orders Jump

March is supposed to come in like a lion and leave like a lamb, but with 97% of U.S. restaurants impacted by mandated dine-in closures by mid-March, the month left like an angry lion for America’s foodservice industry. Restaurant traffic declined by 22% in the month compared to same month year ago, but a testament to the U.S. consumers’ want for someone other than themselves to make their meals, digital restaurant orders increased by 63% and delivery by 67% in March, reports the NPD Group.

Visits to quick service restaurants (QSR), many of which already had off-premise operations, like carry-out and drive-thru, in place prior to the dine-in closures, decreased by...

Technomic: Foodservice Spending Continues a Slow Rebound 

Consumer spending estimates bottomed out at a decrease of 35% of expected sales the week of April 12 and has grown to a level that may be pulling us off the bottom of the market. The cumulative loss in spending has declined for the first week since the start of the pandemic. However, it is important to note that previous weeks showed fluctuations that could foretell more up and down movement in the trends in coming weeks.

Off-premise ordering at FSRs sees high growth this week

Ordering by nondelivery, off-premise methods has increased across all segments this week. For fast-food restaurants, this was driven by drive-thru orders (59%). Growth at FSRs was driven by a mix of drive-thru and takeout orders. Overall, casual-dining and fine-dining restaurants saw the largest jump...

Dunkin' Expands Options Through New Partnership with Uber Eats

As more Americans rely on restaurant delivery, Dunkin' continues to step up for its customers with new options for getting their coffee, espresso, baked goods, and breakfast sandwiches delivered right to their doorstep. As part of the brand's efforts to make it easier and more convenient for Americans to run on Dunkin' without leaving home, Dunkin' is expanding its delivery options to include Uber Eats. With this new partnership, Dunkin' is now available for delivery through Uber Eats at over 1,700 restaurants, with more than 4,000 total locations nationwide to offer the service by the end of May.

Dunkin' delivery with Uber Eats is currently available at select stores across eight states, including California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio, and...

The Cheesecake Factory Offers Special Happy Hour Menu Online for Pickup and Curbside To-Go

The Cheesecake Factory is featuring a limited-time Happy Hour Menu online for pickup and curbside to-go orders Monday through Friday 2-4:30 p.m. today through Friday, May 15. Featuring ten signature menu items for $7.50 including full-sized portions of The Cheesecake Factory’s most popular appetizers and its special “Happy Hour” Burger – a double cheeseburger available exclusively during Happy Hour – bottles of private reserve house wine for $15 and “mix and match” six packs of beer for $12.95, the Happy Hour Menu is the perfect solution for afternoon snacks and libations to enjoy at home.

“We are so pleased to offer a Happy Hour Menu to-go for the very first time,” said David Overton, Founder and CEO of The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated. “With so many people working from home right now, we thought...

Taco Bell Unveils At Home Taco Bar; Just in Time for Cinco de Mayo Celebrations

Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, Taco Bell is giving fans the perfect recipe to recreate their favorites from home with the At Home Taco Bar, available via delivery and contactless drive-thrus nationwide starting Friday, May 1, for a limited time.

The At Home Taco Bar comes deconstructed, packed and sealed for an easy and safe way to feed a party of 6 for $25. Complete with staple Taco Bell ingredients including flour tortillas, crunchy taco shells, nacho chips, seasoned beef, shredded lettuce, nacho cheese sauce, hot sauce packets and more, fans will have the chance to recreate beloved favorites from the comfort of their own homes.

To help inspire the inner chef in us all, Taco Bell is also rolling out a series of recipe cards straight from the Taco Bell Test Kitchen. The cards provide step-by-step instructions on... 

Walmart Introduces Express Delivery

Walmart is announcing Express Delivery, a new service that delivers more items from the store than ever before to customers’ doors in less than two hours.

Walmart has accelerated the development of the service in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, piloting Express Delivery in 100 stores since mid-April. The service will expand to nearly 1,000 stores in early May and will be available in nearly 2,000 total stores in the following weeks. Express Delivery allows customers to order across more than 160,000 items from Walmart’s food, consumables and general merchandise assortment such as... 

Mintel: UK Online Grocery will Grow by Around 33% in 2020

The latest research from Mintel reveals the online grocery market is forecast to grow by 33% in 2020 to reach an estimated value of £16.8 billion, up from £12.7 billion in 2019. This phenomenal rise follows four consecutive years of slowing growth: in 2019 growth fell to a historic low of just 2.9%. The market is set to be worth £17.9 billion by 2024, growing by 41% over the five year period.

Online shopping behaviour as a whole

This comes as Mintel reveals a dramatic change in online shopping habits over the COVID-19 lockdown period, habits that Mintel believes could prove lasting. In the very early days of the spread of the coronavirus in the UK, before social distancing measures were announced, 7% of Brits...

7-Eleven Expands Delivery Footprint Through Third-Party Providers

In addition to its proprietary 7NOW delivery app, 7-Eleven, Inc. has joined with national delivery platforms Postmates and DoorDash, in addition to Google, to make convenient delivery from 7-Eleven stores available to as many customers as possible. Texas customers also can use Favor Delivery.

As stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders are extended, many Americans are confined to their homes and unable to run to the store for basic necessities or even a treat. 7-Eleven wants to better serve those needs by expanding on-demand delivery providers, giving customers convenient access to hundreds of products. With this expansion...

Chipotle Introduces New Lifestyle Bowls 

Chipotle Mexican Grill announced five new Lifestyle Bowls inspired by wellness experts and the Chipotle Together Wellness Live-Streams to help fans get back on track with their health and fitness goals.

Chipotle partnered with YouGov to better understand how consumers food behavior and patterns have shifted during this unprecedented time of social distancing. The brands' joint study found over a third of Americans surveyed (35%) are struggling to maintain healthy lifestyles, and over four in ten (44%) aren't maintaining...

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Announces DoorDash Partnership

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store announced its partnership with DoorDash, to bring the comfort of Cracker Barrel to guests' homes nationwide.

"We have served as a home-away-from-home for more than 50 years, and as families spend even more time together now, we want to make mealtime a little easier by providing the comfort and value guests have come to expect from Cracker Barrel in their own home," said Jeff Sigel, Vice President of Marketing for Cracker Barrel. "We are pleased to partner with DoorDash to provide our homestyle food to guests, wherever they may be."

To help make their guests' next family meal more special, the companies will offer...

Coronavirus Takes European Food Delivery on a Bumpy Ride

Food delivery platforms were expected to be one of the few winners of the ‘corona crisis.’ However, platforms seem to have had a rough start, due to both supply and demand developments. Although recovery is seen in some cases, it remains to be seen whether this bumpy ride will get smoother.

Food Delivery Platforms Swell With New Entrants

For foodservice companies, business has drastically changed these last few weeks. Restaurants and bars across Europe were told to shut down and resort to food delivery. Many restaurants have made this shift, from fast-food chains to Michelin-star restaurants.

Even though some restaurants decided to take on the task of delivery themselves, many see the added value of teaming up with delivery platforms such as...

Kroger to Accept SNAP Benefits for Pickup

Kroger announced the acceptance of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for Pickup. The low-contact, convenient service allows customers to shop online for groceries on Kroger.com or the Kroger app and pick up their order curbside at a nearby Kroger store.

"Kroger is rolling out a payment capability across our nearly 2,800 grocery stores to allow more customers to access fresh, affordable food and essentials through our Pickup service," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO. "We are committed to supporting all families as we work together with...

Pizza Hut Launches Contactless Curbside Pickup Nationwide

Pizza Hut is doubling down on its efforts to keep team members and customers safe, today announcing the availability of contactless curbside pickup at participating restaurants nationwide. Pizza Hut is the only national pizza brand to make it easy to select contactless curbside for online orders—all you have to do is check a box during checkout. The brand will also be introducing new health and safety measures aimed at protecting team members, customers and the communities it serves, with a focus on helping to ensure that team members and guests feel safe, valued, and cared for during this critical time.

Nationwide Contactless Options

With an increase in customer demand for contactless options—over 60% of online delivery orders are now via contactless delivery— Pizza Hut is introducing curbside pickup for customers that...

Tim Hortons U.S. Partners with Uber Eats for First-Ever Delivery Option

Tim Hortons U.S. announced its signature coffee, Iced Capp beverages, baked goods, and more can now be delivered right to consumers' doorstep through Uber Eats for the first time. Also, guests can receive a free 10-pack of Timbits with each order of $5 or more from April 17 through April 30.

With the tap of a button, guests can now place a food and beverage order of their Tim Hortons favorites on the Uber Eats app. Whether it’s a breakfast sandwich or an afternoon Iced Capp, it has never been easier to get Tim Hortons delivered. Simply download and open the free Uber Eats app from...

U.S. Restaurant Transaction Declines May Have Bottomed Out in the Week Ending April 5

U.S. restaurant customer transactions declined by 41% in the week ending April 5 compared to year ago, following a 42% decline in the prior week ending March 29, which may indicate the industry is bottoming out, reports The NPD Group. The apparent “bottom” is likely due to the full effect of on-premise dining closures throughout the country and the industry’s collective ability to convert to off-premise modes, like carry-out, delivery, and drive-thru.

“The 41% decline in restaurant transactions is similar to last week and may indicate a bottom. We also need to be aware that further erosion could occur if consumers’ economic situations worsen,” says David Portalatin, NPD food industry advisor and author of Eating Patterns in America. “To date, many consumers have...

Grubhub Provides Business Update During COVID-19 Pandemic 

Grubhub Inc., a leading online and mobile food-ordering and delivery marketplace, announced it will release first quarter 2020 earnings results after the market close on Wednesday, May 6, 2020.

The company also today provided a brief business update due to the extraordinary circumstances stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Founder and CEO Matt Maloney and Adam DeWitt, President and CFO, released the following business update...