Food delivery is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s a must-have for restaurants aiming to stay competitive and meet evolving customer expectations. With more diners choosing to enjoy their favorite meals at home, offering delivery has become a powerful way for restaurants to expand their footprint and boost sales without adding more tables.
The benefits of restaurant food delivery go beyond just satisfying cravings. It expands your reach beyond the walls of your restaurant, helps boost sales during slow periods, and offers customers the flexibility they now expect. From increasing brand visibility on food delivery apps to optimizing operations for online orders, every step plays a role in building a successful delivery model.
The global online food delivery market is forecasted to generate approximately $1.40 trillion in revenue by 2025. With an anticipated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.83% from 2025 to 2029, the market is expected to expand further, reaching an estimated value of $1.89 trillion by 2029. This rapid growth highlights the increasing shift toward digital ordering and the booming potential of the food delivery business model. In this comprehensive blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know to set up delivery for your restaurant.
1. Choose The Right Delivery Model
Before anything else, you need to decide how you want to manage delivery logistics. There are three common approaches: in-house delivery, third-party platforms, and a hybrid model.
1.1 In-House Delivery
Managing delivery in-house means hiring your own drivers and overseeing the entire delivery process. This gives you more control over service quality, branding, and customer relationships. You keep all the customer data, which is essential for future marketing campaigns.
1.2 Third-Party Delivery Apps
Using platforms like Uber Eats, DoorDash, Zomato, or Grubhub allows you to tap into a massive user base instantly. You don’t have to worry about driver management, but you do give up control over customer experience and pay commission fees—usually between 20% and 35%.
1.3 Hybrid Delivery Model
Many restaurants combine the best of both worlds. They use third-party platforms to drive new customer acquisition while encouraging loyal users to order directly through their website or app. This approach offers flexibility and improves long-term profitability.
2. Optimize Your Menu For Delivery
Designing a delivery-friendly menu is essential to ensure that food arrives in great condition and keeps customer satisfaction high. Not all dishes are suited for travel, so it’s important to tailor your offerings to what works best for off-premise dining.
2.1 Remove Fragile Or Soggy Items
Some menu items lose their appeal when packed and transported. Dishes that rely on crisp textures, delicate presentation, or intricate assembly often don’t survive the delivery process. Items like crispy fries, delicate garnishes, or layered foods that can spill or collapse should be avoided—or reengineered to hold up better. Your goal is to ensure that every order maintains quality even after 30 minutes in a delivery bag.
2.2 Focus On High-Margin, Best-Selling Dishes
Delivery menus should highlight items that are both popular and profitable. Evaluate your current sales data to identify customer favorites with strong margins. Keep prep and packaging efficient to support quick turnaround times without sacrificing quality.
2.3 Add Combo Meals Or Bundled Offers
Creating combo meals or bundles can increase the average order value and simplify customer choices. Think of options like family packs, meal deals, or set menus that cater to groups. These bundles not only make ordering easier but also help reduce decision fatigue for customers browsing your online food delivery menu.
2.4 Use Clear Photos And Descriptions
In the digital ordering space, customers shop with their eyes. High-quality, appetizing images can significantly boost conversions. A well-presented menu helps build trust and encourages repeat customers.
3. Select The Right Technology
Technology is the backbone of any successful restaurant delivery setup. The right tools help streamline operations, reduce errors, and provide a seamless ordering experience for both staff and customers. From taking orders to managing dispatch and tracking, investing in reliable delivery technology ensures your restaurant can operate efficiently and scale smoothly. The rapid rise of smartphone usage and evolving consumer habits has significantly fueled the growth of the online food delivery market.
INDUSTRY INSIGHT
“The growth potential for the online food delivery market has increased substantially over the past decade because of changing consumer lifestyles and the incessant penetration of smartphones and other digital platforms performing similar functions. This market clearly relates to ordering food from restaurants and having it delivered to the consumers’ homes via mobile applications or websites ranging from fast food restaurants to fine dining restaurants. Over the last few years, the emergence of delivery applications like Uber Eats, Zomato, and DoorDash, among others, has transformed the way consumers order food.
However, as time goes on and technology gets better, such services improve and enhance the enjoyment of the users while at the same time expanding to different regions”.
3.1 POS System With Delivery Integration
A POS system is essential for managing dine-in, takeaway, and delivery orders in one place. Choose a POS that integrates with major third-party delivery platforms and supports in-house delivery as well. Features like real-time order syncing, automated inventory tracking, and digital receipts help improve speed and accuracy. An integrated POS also reduces manual data entry and minimizes the chances of missing or incorrect orders.
3.2 Online Ordering Platform On Your Website Or App
To reduce dependence on third-party apps and avoid high commission fees, set up a direct online ordering system on your restaurant’s website or mobile app. This gives you complete control over branding, menu presentation, and customer communication. Your platform should support secure payments, order customization, loyalty programs, and real-time updates.
3.3 Delivery Management Software For Dispatching And Tracking
If you’re managing in-house delivery, invest in a delivery management tool that can automate and optimize your operations. These tools improve delivery speed, reduce delays, and help you monitor key metrics such as average delivery time, order accuracy, and driver performance.
4. Invest In Quality Packaging
Packaging plays a critical role in the success of your restaurant delivery service. It’s not just about holding the food—it’s about preserving freshness, protecting presentation, and extending your brand beyond the restaurant. The right delivery equipment ensures that your food arrives just as it left the kitchen, delighting customers and encouraging repeat orders. In a highly competitive food delivery market, investing in quality packaging is non-negotiable.
4.1 Use Leak-Proof, Insulated Containers
Your packaging must keep food secure and maintain temperature during transit. Use leak-proof containers for sauces, soups, and gravies to prevent spills. Insulated packaging—like foil wraps or double-walled containers—helps retain heat for hot meals or keep cold items chilled. The goal is to ensure that food arrives in a condition that matches the dine-in experience.
4.2 Choose Eco-Friendly, Branded Materials
Today’s customers value sustainability, so opt for biodegradable or recyclable packaging whenever possible. Eco-friendly packaging not only reduces environmental impact but also reflects positively on your brand. Custom-branded packaging—like printed boxes, stickers, and labels—enhances brand recognition and gives your delivery orders a professional touch. It turns every meal into a marketing opportunity and reinforces your identity with every customer interaction.
4.3 Include Inserts For Promotions Or Feedback
Use the unboxing moment to your advantage. Add printed inserts like thank-you cards, discount codes, or QR codes linking to a feedback form or loyalty program. These small additions help you engage with customers, gather valuable insights, and drive repeat orders. Personalized touches also improve the perceived value of the delivery experience.
5. Prepare Your Kitchen And Staff
As delivery becomes a core part of your business, it’s crucial to adapt your kitchen setup and staff workflows to handle online orders efficiently. Delivery operations bring a new layer of complexity, and without the right systems in place, it can quickly lead to delays, errors, and frustrated customers.
5.1 Create A Dedicated Prep Area For Delivery
To avoid bottlenecks and confusion during busy hours, set up a separate station in your kitchen specifically for preparing delivery orders. This space should include all the tools, packaging materials, and condiments needed for your delivery team to assemble and pack food quickly. By isolating delivery prep from dine-in operations, you reduce the risk of order mix-ups and improve overall efficiency.
5.2 Train Staff On Packaging And Order Handling
Your kitchen and front-of-house teams need to be trained on delivery protocols. Staff should know how to pack orders securely, label them correctly, and double-check contents before handing them off to delivery personnel. Training should also cover handling third-party pickup interactions and ensuring the right order goes to the right driver.
5.3 Use A Kitchen Display System (KDS) To Manage Order Flow
A Kitchen Display System (KDS) helps streamline order management by digitally displaying incoming orders in real time. It can separate dine-in, takeaway, and delivery tickets so your team knows what to prioritize. A KDS improves communication between the front and back of the house, reduces paper waste, and helps your team work faster and with greater accuracy.
6. List Your Restaurant On Delivery Apps
If you plan to use third-party platforms, getting your restaurant listed on food delivery apps is a crucial step in expanding your reach and increasing online orders. These platforms already have large customer bases and built-in marketing features, making them a powerful channel for boosting visibility and sales.
6.1 Sign Up On Platforms Like Swiggy, Uber Eats, Or Grubhub
Start by choosing the food delivery apps that are most popular in your region. Create a business account and complete the onboarding process, which typically involves submitting your menu, restaurant details, licenses, and bank information. Be sure to understand the platform’s commission structure, payout schedule, and service policies before signing any agreements. Listing your restaurant on multiple platforms can also help maximize visibility and order volume.
6.2 Add High-Quality Images And Descriptions
Customers order with their eyes, so upload clear, appetizing photos of your best dishes. Avoid generic images—real photos of your food build trust and increase conversion rates. Make your menu easy to navigate, and ensure everything from pricing to availability is accurate and up to date.
6.3 Highlight Best-Sellers And Promote Deals
Most delivery platforms allow you to promote featured items or run exclusive offers. Use these tools to draw attention to your most popular and profitable dishes. Offer limited-time discounts, combo deals, or free delivery promotions to boost visibility and attract new customers. Featuring best-sellers at the top of your listing also makes ordering faster and easier for users.
Conclusion
Setting up delivery for your restaurant is more than just adding a new revenue stream—it’s a strategic move that positions your business for long-term growth and resilience in a digital-first dining landscape.
For long-term delivery success, focus on consistency, speed, and customer feedback. Keep refining your menu, monitor key performance metrics, and adjust your operations as needed. Use promotions and loyalty programs to drive direct orders and reduce dependency on high-commission third-party platforms.
If you’re just getting started, don’t feel pressured to go all-in at once. Begin with a small delivery zone, a curated menu, and one or two platforms. Test, learn, and scale smart. The key is to build a foundation that grows with your business while keeping the customer experience at the heart of your strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
To set up a restaurant delivery service, choose a delivery model (in-house, third-party, or hybrid), optimize your menu for transport, and implement technology like a POS system and online ordering platform. Invest in quality packaging, train your staff, and promote your service across digital channels.
You can add delivery by partnering with food delivery apps like Swiggy, Uber Eats, or Grubhub, or by setting up your own ordering system on your website or app. Ensure your kitchen workflow, menu, and staff are prepared for efficient order fulfillment and timely deliveries.
To start your own in-house delivery service, hire and train delivery drivers, use delivery management software to assign and track orders, and integrate your system with a reliable POS. Focus on local delivery zones first, ensure excellent customer service, and gradually expand as you grow.
Begin by identifying your target market (e.g., healthy meals, family dinners, office lunches), create a delivery-optimized menu, and set up an online ordering and subscription system. Use reliable packaging, plan delivery routes, and leverage digital marketing to attract and retain customers.
