Top 4 meal delivery platforms

More and more consumers are using it, and more and more restaurateurs are offering it. Can you guess which service we're referring to? We're talking about meal delivery, and in particular app-based delivery. 

The nature of your restaurant and your location will help you select the best application(s) to develop your multi-channel sales strategy. Discover the top 4 meal delivery platforms to help you get started. 

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How do I choose the right delivery platform? 

Nowadays, most customers use several delivery apps on their smartphones to broaden their choice of restaurants. Among the market leaders, Uber Eats and Deliveroo stand out by targeting different audiences. 

Uber Eats offers a vast selection of fast-food and burger restaurants, while Deliveroo focuses on independent, vegetarian, gluten-free and other options. Some establishments have even opted for exclusivity, limiting themselves to a single platform.

In some cities or neighborhoods, one meal delivery platform may have the monopoly. In such cases, it may be wise to choose a single platform to maximize your establishment's visibility among targeted customers in your locality.

However, it's essential to bear in mind that, in most situations, being present on all platforms ensures better visibility to a variety of customers. By being present on several platforms, you increase your chances of reaching a wide audience. In short, the more present you are, the better!

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1. Uber Eats 

Uber EatsProbably the best-known meal delivery platform, works with a large number of partner restaurants, including fast-food giants such as McDonald's. This is an important criterion to take into account if you're a fast-food business and want to get away from the shadow of these giants. From the app or website, customers have access to a catalog of dishes classified according to cuisine type. Italian, veggie, Mexican, Thai, there's something for everyone! Consumers also benefit from a highly effective filter system: price range, vegan, gluten-free, halal, etc. All of this directs them to the establishments and dishes capable of meeting their expectations and needs. 

When the order is placed, the customer is informed of the delivery time and the total cost, including the price of the meal, delivery and taxes. 

The company's commission is 30% on each order. You're probably wondering what this amount includes? It includes the promotion of your restaurant on the platform, visibility and delivery driver remuneration. Another parameter to take into account is that VAT is not charged on this commission, as this company does not pay taxes in France. 

The cost of listing on the platform is around €600. This covers hardware (touch-screen tablet), photo shooting of dishes and integration of menus on the application. 

If you opt for this platform, Uber Eats delivery drivers will be at your disposal, but if you prefer to work with your own drivers, the commission will be divided by 2. 

The price of delivery is charged to the customer and varies according to the distance between your establishment and the delivery address. It is generally around €3.50. Consumers must also pay a service charge equivalent to 10% of the order amount. 

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2. Deliveroo

Where Uber Eats offers a wide range of fast-food brands, Deliveroo focuses on independent restaurants with a strong and/or original concept. The platform relies on product diversity and quality to set itself apart from its rivals. It also sets itself apart from the competition through the quality of its customer service. Finally, its fleet of bicycles and scooters guarantees a high level of mobility. 

As with its direct competitor, commission is 30% on each order. It is, however, negotiable with the retailer and may be revised downwards. This amount includes visibility on the application, delivery in under 30 minutes, customer service and the cost of the service. 

Listing feesare €299, but are not fixed. Use your negotiating skills!  

Delivery costs vary between €0.99 and €5, while the €0.20 service charge is constant. 

👉 To find out more: Decoding the evolution of the office meal delivery market

3. Just Eat 

Just Eat, formerly Alloresto, may sound familiar. With 20 years' experience, this delivery platform is considered one of the pioneers on the French market. It is well established in the Paris region and in provincial cities. This dense national network is one of the company's key strengths. Like the other brands, its interface includes a geolocation system, enabling users to filter their searches according to open locations, special offers, ratings, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free options, etc., as well as opening hours and prices. Opening times, prices and most popular dishes are also clearly displayed. 

Thanks to the absence of selection criteria at registration, the application lists a large number of establishments. The commission charged by this brand is lower than that of its competitors, at 15%. How can this difference be explained? Just Eat does not offer a delivery service, except in Paris, Lyon and Bordeaux, where the commission is 30%. There are no listing fees. For the time being, there are no delivery charges for customers in the 3 cities mentioned above. In other cities, you'll have to set your own delivery charge. 

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4. Your own delivery service

Rather than subscribing to one of the delivery platforms listed below, why not launch your own delivery service? That way, you won 't have to pay any referral fees, and you'll be in control of your business from A to Z. 

To achieve this goal, technology will be your greatest ally. Order reception, data processing, distribution organization - digital solutions like those offered by Innovorder will make your job easier!

Why have your own delivery service?

1. Free yourself from the high commissions of other platforms
2. Increase your average shopping basket by 43% (observed by our Innovorder customers)
3. Enhance your brand image

Then choose between : 

• salaried delivery staff , in which case you'll need to invest in a fleet of vehicles and ensure communication and follow-up with your customers,
• delivery drivers via a service provider. 

"I make up to €500/day in deliveries, without going through the platforms." Anthony Lloret, Ankka franchisee in Grenoble

👉 To find out more: Why franchisee Anthony hired a delivery driver

However, this list is far from non-exhaustive, so if you want to dig deeper, don't hesitate to check out the following brands: ChowNow, GoDelivery, ApperStreet, Grubhub, Giongo Delivery, DoorDash, Glovo, etc. 

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Would you like to implement online ordering in your restaurant? Contact our team of restaurant experts for tailor-made support.