If you work with third-party delivery apps, optimizing your quick service restaurant (QSR) for delivery is critical to your bottom line.  Beyond helping you grow your business, finding ways to streamline processes and maintain efficiency will keep delivery drivers happy and customers coming back.

Measuring effectiveness

Before we dig into tips and strategies to make your delivery operation run more efficiently, we need to look at how you'll measure success. The table below has metrics you can track to see if the changes you implement are netting positive results. If you manage multiple locations, you can test updates in one of your locations before deciding if you want to push them at all of your restaurants.
If you work with multiple third-party delivery apps, you can use food delivery software like Prepproof to consolidate and analyze delivery data from multiple platforms to get an accurate picture of the data points below.

6 Tips for improving delivery efficiency

1. Dedicated delivery area and add monitoring devices 

Setting up a separate, clearly marked area for delivery drivers can help reduce congestion with dine-in customers and ensure that drivers know exactly where to go. This simple adjustment minimizes chaos during peak times and promotes a seamless flow for both dine-in patrons and delivery operations.

Additionally, be sure to update your delivery instructions for pickup in each of your apps. Clear, detailed instructions make it easier for drivers to find the designated pickup area without delay, improving overall efficiency.

Installing a Ring doorbell or another type of monitoring device at your pickup spot can further streamline the process. These devices allow your staff to monitor when drivers arrive and ensure orders are handed off promptly, reducing the time food sits waiting to be picked up.

2. Kitchen optimization and staff training
   
   

Streamline your kitchen workflow to handle delivery orders quickly without sacrificing quality. All staff members should be well-trained in handling delivery orders efficiently. Training should cover proper packaging, accurate labeling, and clear communication with delivery drivers. Understanding the nuances of working with delivery apps ensures a smooth handoff and reduces the chances of order mix-ups.

3. Be realistic with your time estimates
   
   

Being realistic with your delivery time estimates can make or break the customer experience. While setting a shorter delivery time might attract more orders initially, overpromising and underdelivering leads to frustration and negative feedback, and lost future revenue. 

Combate inaccurate estimates by taking advantage of the automatic time estimates provided by your ordering system and be prepared to adjust them manually during peak hours or when unexpected delays occur. Make sure to build in some buffer time to accommodate occasional errors or staff breaks. Communicating realistic time expectations and promptly notifying customers of any changes will help maintain trust.

Put yourself in your customer’s shoes and think how you feel when you have to wait longer than expected. For many customers, waiting an hour for food doesn’t feel so bad if they know what to expect. However, waiting an hour after being told it would only take 20 minutes will make many customers reconsider ever ordering from you again.

4. Pre-delivery quality assurance check
   
   

Implement a quick quality assurance check before an order leaves the restaurant. This can include verifying order accuracy, ensuring packaging is secure, and double-checking that all requested condiments or utensils are included.

5. Driver loyalty programs
   
   

Establish a loyalty or reward system for drivers who frequently pick up from your location. This could include incentives like free meals, priority pickups, or discounts, encouraging them to prefer your restaurant and handle your orders with care. A free order of fries or a cup of coffee can go a long way.

6. Be flexible and keep long term success in mind 
   
   

Delivery efficiency is an ongoing process. You might not see immediate ROI from the changes you’re making, but as your team gains experience and you refine your processes you should see improvement and revenue growth in time.

Protect your investment in delivery with PrepProof

Launching and scaling delivery capabilities can be time-consuming and expensive. Don’t risk losing hard-earned revenue to fraudulent claims or driver errors. PrepProof automatically disputes fraudulent claims and is already helping over 2,000 franchise locations manage third-party delivery services, recovering tens of thousands of dollars in lost revenue every year.

Schedule a time to talk to us about how we can help build efficiencies in your bottom line.