Rapid delivery: How tech and drinks can turbocharge sales

Value for money has become paramount for consumers in the wake of the pandemic and, as inflation continues to bite, most people are still thinking long and hard before ordering meals online. 

Meal deals have become a crucial tool for operators looking to increase their share of rapid delivery. KFC has been particularly active, partnering with Just Eat, Deliveroo and Uber Eats and promoting competitive meal deals featuring Pepsi MAX® and 7UP soft drinks through the apps and via social media.

Lockdowns may now be a distant memory, but people are still spending much more time at home than they were before the pandemic.

This is increasing demand for rapid delivered food and drinks at lunch, breakfast and outside traditional mealtimes. Providing a wider range of drinks carefully paired with food items can help foodservice operators stay relevant throughout the day.

Caffé Nero, for example, has teamed up with Just Eat to offer rapid deliveries from 400 of its outlets across the UK. The operator offers link deals on Plenish Health Shots, coffees and breakfast items to appeal to health-conscious customers in the morning. Likewise, offering attractive non-alcoholic drinks pairings at night can appeal to the growing numbers who don’t drink alcohol.

Tapping into social media trends and the huge power of online influencers can also pay. For example, YouTuber Mr Beast, who has 198m YouTube subscribers, is offering operators the opportunity to produce Mr Beast Burger products in their kitchens and sell them exclusively via rapid delivery services.

Bear in mind too that the new generation spends more time online than any other age group.[7] Following social media consumer trends – which have helped ginger, turmeric and matcha drinks become more mainstream in recent years – and tailoring delivered menus accordingly can deliver big dividends.