5 tips to get started with delivery

Home delivery has never been more important than it is today. With the Coronavirus crisis, there has been a significant increase in delivery, generating a growth of 47% over the last two years. To put this numerically, a study by Food Service Vision found that in 2020, delivery in France was worth €4.9 billion. This is an important business opportunity for all restaurant owners, and one that does not seem to be leaving our consumption habits behind anytime soon. 

But how can we effectively manage delivery operations? What is an intelligent way to maximize the sales? Here are 5 tips to get started with delivery!

Why should you opt for delivery of your meals?

Over the last year, so many constraints have been placed; lockdowns, curfews and sanitary measures, that this has impacted individuals in the service and restaurant industry. Restaurant owners are suffering and sadly nearly 1 out of 2 establishments could be forced to close before we see the end of COVID-19. 

The pandemic has also changed consumer habits. Customers now enjoy cooking their own meals or sharing a meal that they have ordered to take away rather than dining in. 

To face this crisis whilst still maintaining your activity in the coming months, delivery remains an ideal solution - but for good reason. Delivery presents numerous advantages to restaurant owners and customers. For example, such as the diversification of the products it offers, new communication channels and an increase in customers. As you can see, delivery is very advantageous.

But how can I start offering delivery?

If you wish to launch a delivery service, it is important that you bear in mind that it's a business in its own domain, which will take both time and resources. Delivery is an excellent way to increase your sales, however this cannot be to the detriment of your primary occupation, running a dine-in restaurant. This is why two solutions are offered to you: you can either opt for 100% in-house deliveries, or you can take advantage of the expertise of external providers. 

If you choose the second option, you will need to do a little bit of organizing. At this point, we won’t teach you anything about the different delivery companies on the market. Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Just Eat… the list goes on. You can choose one, or choose several. But beware as each delivery channel has its own set of customs and traditions. You might want to offer different products, menus or discounts depending on the delivery platform. Here is a non-exhaustive list of criteria that could help you make your choice:

• A high-visibility platform. To have the best odds, choose a delivery platform that is well referenced. Once customers order their food, they want it to arrive quickly, so they won’t choose the platform that is listed 6th or 7th on Google when they type in “home delivery”. So be careful and don’t hesitate to take a look at the ratings published by the platform's customers. 

• A mobile-friendly interface. Mobile telephones play a major role in the online purchasing process. According to the FEVAD (Federation of e-Commerce and distance selling), in 2019, nearly 16 million French consumers placed orders via their mobile devices. So it is important that you think about the possibility that your customers might order online via a computer but also mobile and tablet.

• A logical mode of transport. Whether bikes, scooters, or on foot, each platform offers its own type of delivery. Several criteria may come into play: delivery speed, eco-responsibility, the resistance of your packaging to transport hazards or the status of the delivery personnel, the list goes on. Think about the solutions available to you and the ones you wish to use for your restaurant. 

• The expenses to take into account. The financial aspect is also a vital issue in the choice of your delivery platform. So don’t hesitate to compare platforms according to several criteria such as their activation fees, delivery fees for customers or the price of commission per order. 

• The types of payments accepted. The last criterion for making your choice, is the payment of orders. Again, each platform applies its own rules and regulations: customers pay for their orders on the platform before delivery, either by cash or card. Some accept meal vouchers, others do not. All these methods can influence customers to order or not on this platform. 
  

If your choice is between several of these platforms, then we advise you to opt for a software that will allow you to centralize them and manage your business better. 

Let reliable partners accompany you

As you will have understood, the catering world is constantly changing, and even more so in the last few years. Your business is evolving, so your systems must be able to keep the pace! For an efficient delivery business, Deliverect has developed software capable of centralizing all your delivery channels to your point-of-sale system. Your menus are fully automated and synchronized, your stocks are managed directly and you benefit from detailed reports dedicated to your new activity. 

Need more convincing? Forget about manual order entry and possible errors thanks to the Deliverect and L'Addition integration. With the L'Addition cash register, all orders are automated and arrive directly on the touch screen. Tickets are printed automatically and arrive in the kitchen right away. You save time in preparation and reduce delivery times. These combined advantages can bring you up to 25% more turnover. 

Today, delivery is more than an option for the entire hospitality sector. Habits have changed and so have our ways of consuming. So listen to your customers and prospects, and don't hesitate to adapt your business and diversify.