re: I’m noticing a big trend with DoorDash, Uber Eats, etc

Weirdly, most everyone I know who uses the apps with true regularity really can't afford to be doing it.

I totally get the reasoning behind doing it from time to time -- just like pizza delivery when we were growing up. Intoxication, hangover, sick, sick kids, a party, a worker at your house that you can't leave, etc. all makes sense. I am just blown away by people who live alone and struggle with bills opting for it every day for no reason.

Cost aside, I've seen these workers be rude as hell to restaurant staff enough times that I really try not to use it. I'd far prefer to get delivery from the handful of places near me that use their own workers.

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Tons of fast food places have their own apps now, all they need is to add a delivery driver.

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Their own apps are also marginally profitable vs in store sales. And you still need to use the DoorDash and Uber drivers. There are tons of discounts and BOGO type offers on the apps, and the corporate entities are raking in a “technology fee” off the top line sales. These things cost a lot to maintain. And all any fast food franchisor cares about is top line sales anyway, so they love the sales their app and third party delivery apps bring in without regard to margins.

But the biggest draw for these companies having their own app is, the ability to collect your data. They weigh your demographics vs your ordering trends - what you order, when you order etc and leverage that in their marketing. They also now have your email and cell phone number to push marketing. And read the fine print, they’re probably selling your info just like the 3rd parties

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they’re probably selling your info

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Probably?

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It's revenue they wouldn't have unless this service was available. If they can't make money off of cooking food and handing it to a delivery guy, then maybe they shouldn't be in business anymore.

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Hot take, a lot of restaurants really don’t understand where their actual net revenue comes from.

I’ve said this for many years, many restaurants are just bars that serve food to attract people. While their food revenue looks good, it takes a lot of effort. Bar sales are usually in the 80%+ profit margin range and takes very very little effort. Bar tender is making $8/ hour while your cook/ chef $20+. Popping open a beer bottles takes 20 seconds for a $4 net profit. While cooking a dinner plate may take 10 mins or more.

ETA: point being, serving more food does not necessarily mean more net profit for a restaurant. It also increases their expenses dramatically. Restaurants really want done in customers that are spending money on booze and drinks. Coffee, tea, and soda is a big profit % too usually.

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Some friends and I rented an Airbnb and one of them ordered a bottle of whisky and some beer from Doordash. I had no idea that liquor delivery was a thing.

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Also tobacco products. I have used these services to deliver some Cope when I was "overserved". Not cheap but helluva lot cheaper than a DUI.