The Latest News
Autonomous Delivery Reaches Age of Expansion
Zach Rash of Coco Robotics and Keller Rinaudo Cliffton of Zipline share plans for expansion and visions for the future of autonomous delivery at Food On Demand Conference 2026.
Zipline Grows Texas Footprint as Drone Delivery Scales
The rollout in the Rowlett area adds partners including Walmart, Crumbl Cookies and Little Caesars as drone delivery expands across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
Deliverect CEO Predicts AI Agents Will Transform Restaurant Industry
Deliverect launched AI agents and smart assistants in early April, capable of dynamic menu alterations responding to live data. CEO Zhong Xu predicts AI agents will change the restaurant industry.
Starbucks, Little Caesars Launch ChatGPT Ordering as AI Reshapes Discovery
Ordering is shifting from app-based browsing to AI-driven discovery, as Starbucks and Little Caesars test ChatGPT as a new entry point for finding and ordering meals.
Outstanding Operator: Bushfire Kitchen
A solid and diverse foundation of tech partners is at the center of Bushfire Kitchen’s approach to streamlining operations and, ultimately, expanding the family-owned brand’s footprint.
Outstanding Operator: Houston TX Hot Chicken
Drive-thru optimization, digital ordering, and tech-driven operations are at the heart of Houston TX Hot Chicken’s off-prem investments, elevating the guest experience beyond the restaurant.
Outstanding Operator: Clover
Vegetarian fast-food concept Clover uses tech to streamline off-prem operations for the growing chain with a proudly atypical approach to menu curation.
Partnerships Spell Potential Trend for 3PD Platforms and Temporary Housing Marketplaces
Instacart and Airbnb launched a “kitchen-stocking” pilot program in January. Airbnb and Landing followed with a partnership in February. The efforts take different approaches to incentivizing orders.
Domino’s Reports U.S. Growth, Potential to Double Retail Sales
Domino’s drives strong growth with a 3.7 percent same-store sales increase fueled by carryout orders and value-packed promotions.
Outstanding Operator: PJ’s Coffee
The growing coffee brand is investing in drive-thru, third-party delivery, mobile apps, technology, and data-driven insight to streamline off-prem and keep menus fresh.
Potbelly Partners with Flybuy to Elevate Off-Prem Operations
The sandwich chain rolled out Flybuy across more than 450 shops to streamline off-prem capabilities and leverage targeted marketing.
Loman AI Expands POS Partnerships with SpotOn
The voice AI platform sees POS integrations as key to increasing accessibility and value for restaurant clients.
Outstanding Operators
Food On Demand Outstanding Operators features restaurant brands with innovative operations that are taking creative paths to success with delivery and all things off-premises.
Food On Demand Topics
Finance
Nestle Invests $100M in Wonder
New York-based Wonder Group received a $100-million investment from Nestle.
Research
Tillster’s Report Details Diner Expectations for Dine-in and Delivery
Tillster’s new “Phygital Index Report” sheds new light on what diners are thinking for delivered and in-person restaurant experiences.
The Deliverers
Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux Is Scoring Big With Off-Premises
The brand offers a family friendly atmosphere and great food. Now it’s putting new emphasis on catering, delivery, and takeout.
Best Practices
What are your peers doing in delivery? Get some of the best practices out there.
AI Is Not Just For Drive-Thru. It Can Also Help With Front-of-House.
The tech is getting easier to use and more flexible than ever.