The food delivery market continues to grow rapidly, and restaurants that do not offer delivery are leaving revenue on the table. Whether you run a small family restaurant or a multi-location chain, adding delivery can significantly increase your reach and income. Here is how to get started.

Step 1: Evaluate Your Menu

Not every dish on your menu is suitable for delivery. Focus on items that travel well, maintain temperature, and do not lose texture in transit. Soups, curries, rice dishes, wraps, and pizza are natural choices. Delicate plated dishes with precise presentation may not translate. Consider creating a delivery-specific menu that highlights your best portable items.

Step 2: Choose Your Delivery Model

You have three main options: hire your own delivery drivers, partner with a delivery platform like GeraEats, or use a combination. In-house delivery gives you full control but requires vehicles, insurance, and staff management. Platform partnerships provide instant access to a large customer base and handle logistics, though they take a commission. Most restaurants find the platform model is the fastest way to launch.

Step 3: Invest in Packaging

Good packaging is the difference between a five-star delivery experience and a one-star review. Use containers that prevent leaking, maintain temperature, and separate items that should not touch. Invest in tamper-evident seals for food safety. Your packaging is also a branding opportunity — include your logo, a thank-you note, or a discount code for the next order.

Step 4: Optimize Your Kitchen

Delivery orders need a dedicated workflow in your kitchen to avoid conflicts with dine-in service. Set up a separate station for packing delivery orders. Use a tablet or POS system that integrates with your delivery platform to manage orders in real time. During peak hours, consider having a dedicated staff member managing delivery packaging.

Step 5: Price Strategically

Delivery involves additional costs: packaging, platform commissions, and potential waste. Your delivery prices may need to be slightly higher than dine-in prices to maintain margins. Be transparent about delivery fees. Offer combo deals or minimum order values to increase average order size and improve unit economics.

Step 6: Market Your Delivery Service

Let your existing customers know you deliver. Update your social media profiles, add signage in your restaurant, and include flyers with dine-in orders. On the platform side, invest in professional food photography — listings with high-quality images get significantly more orders. Run launch promotions to build initial momentum.

Starting delivery is not just about adding a new channel — it is about reaching customers who might never walk through your door. Partner with GeraEats to get your restaurant in front of hungry customers today.

How to Start a Restaurant Delivery Business