Invest in the right packaging
The extra money that goes into proper delivery packaging will help with the overall customer experience. If a customer receives their food and it’s still warm and hasn’t mixed together into a mess, they’re more likely to order again from your restaurant. Olo suggests investing in packaging that is sturdy and flat-bottomed, insulated and ventilated (no more soggy fries), and transparent. According to the report, “clear packaging allows drivers to check orders at-a-glance before leaving the store and completing the delivery.” With these packaging features, delivery orders will fit better in a bag and are less likely to break or come apart in on the car ride.
Treat the couriers like a guest
Without couriers, delivery wouldn’t be possible. These employees need extra support to make sure they are able to get the correct deliveries to customers on time. Whether delivery is an in-house task or provided through a third-party, the courier should be able to easily and quickly find orders. If you’re experiencing a higher volume of delivery orders, it might be convenient to designate shelving specifically for delivery orders. This way the couriers can pick up the orders as soon as they enter the restaurant.
The courier should also have an employee they can reach out to if they run into an issue while out on a delivery. And this communication also goes for a courier and a customer. If a courier is running behind or runs into an issue on the road, they should be able to update the customer of their arrival time.
To cut down on confusion, Olo also recommends arranging the orders in a way that couriers can easily find them. Orders can be organized by chronologically by pickup time, numerically by order number, or alphabetically by guest name. This system will allow couriers to pick up the right orders each time. The less time the courier spends in the restaurant, the more time they can spend delivering food.
According to Olo, some brands offer rewards for loyal couriers. Couriers who have surpassed a number of successful deliveries can be rewarded in gift cards or coupons for free food. Other brands simply offer a free drink or side while a courier is waiting for food or is done with a shift. By incentivizing couriers to fulfill deliveries in a more efficient manner, the overall experience is better for the consumer and the restaurant.