Is the 3rd-Party Food Delivery Bubble Bursting?

The once-booming food delivery industry is slowing down. Consumers, now facing higher prices and longer wait times, are growing frustrated with third-party apps. Restaurants, on the other hand, are struggling under commissions as high as 30%, leaving many wondering how to maintain profitability. According to recent projections, the U.S. food delivery market could shrink by up to 10% in 2024, signaling a need for change.

While this may sound alarming, it’s actually an opportunity for restaurants to rethink their delivery strategies and boost efficiency. Rather than relying solely on third-party apps, there’s a smarter approach—bringing control back in-house to make sure food is handed off to customers on time, every time.

This is where Curbit’s capacity management tools shine. By giving restaurants real-time control over their kitchen operations, Curbit helps streamline order flow and optimize both delivery and takeout processes. Restaurants can prioritize their own delivery channels, reduce bottlenecks, and ensure food reaches customers faster—without the headache of paying hefty fees to external platforms.

Here’s why this shift matters:

• High Commissions: Delivery apps charge between 15-30% per order, eating into already slim profit margins.
• Customer Frustration: Post-pandemic, dissatisfaction with high delivery fees and long wait times has grown by 20%.
• Market Shift: The food delivery sector is expected to decline by 5-10% in 2024, signaling a growing shift away from app-driven models.

How Curbit Can Help:

1. Dynamic Order Orchestration: Curbit allows restaurants to manage kitchen workloads in real-time, avoiding overburdening staff and ensuring smoother operations.

2. Order Throttling: Adjust orders based on real-time capacity, preventing delays and improving customer satisfaction.

3. Real-time Updates: Keep both guests and delivery drivers informed with live notifications about their orders, minimizing the risk of cold or late meals.

With the food delivery bubble bursting, restaurants can now step away from the third-party app cycle and reclaim control of their operations. Curbit provides the tools to help restaurants thrive in this new landscape, offering a better experience for both customers and staff while driving higher profitability.

For more insights, check out the full article on Salon here.