Food Delivery: How Orders Move from Kitchen to Door
Food delivery is a courier service in which a restaurant, store, or independent food-delivery company brings food to a customer. Orders are typically placed by telephone, through a supplier's website or mobile app, or via a third-party food ordering service.
Key measured quantities
| Delivery Mode | Typical Vehicle | Typical Range | Order Channels | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Third-party app delivery | Car | 5 km | 3 channels | Online food delivery grew sharply after 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns |
| Bike courier delivery | Bicycle | 3 km | 2 channels | Common in dense city centers where stops are under 1 km apart |
| E-scooter delivery | E-scooter | 4 km | 2 channels | Battery range often 30 km per charge |
| Autonomous vehicle delivery | Self-driving car | 8 km | 1 channel | Tested since the 2010s in limited pilot zones |
| Grocery delivery | Car or van | 10 km | 3 channels | Items may include 2 kg produce boxes and chilled goods |
Practical procedure
- Place an order by telephone, the supplier's website or app, or a third-party food ordering service.
- Choose payment method: online or in person, by cash or card, and select contactless delivery if offered.
- The restaurant or store prepares the items and packs them in boxes or bags.
- A delivery person picks up the order and drives a car, or uses a bike or e-scooter in denser areas.
- The courier follows the route to the customer's address, often within a 5 km radius in cities.
- The customer receives the order, pays any flat-rate delivery fee, and may add a tip.
Ordering Channels and Payment
Customers can order through 3 main channels: telephone, a supplier's own website or mobile app, or a third-party food ordering service such as those that expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic after 2020. Payment can be made online or in person, using cash or card, and a flat rate delivery fee is often charged. Tips are sometimes customary, and contactless delivery became a common option in the 2020s.
Vehicles and Delivery Radius
The delivery person normally drives a car, but in bigger cities where homes and restaurants are closer together, they may use bikes or e-scooters. Typical urban delivery radii are around 5 km, while bike couriers often cover 3 km or less. E-scooters used for delivery commonly have a battery range of about 30 km per charge, enough for multiple short trips.
What Gets Delivered
Delivered items can include entrees, sides, drinks, desserts, or grocery items, typically packed in boxes or bags. A single grocery order might contain 2 kg of produce, 1 L of milk, and 6 eggs. Foodservice distributors also deliver wholesale to restaurants, cafeterias, health care facilities, and caterers, often in larger quantities such as 10 kg sacks.
Technology and Industry Shift
Due to shifting habits in response to lockdowns and restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic, online food delivery through third-party companies became a growing industry and caused a "delivery revolution." Nascent technologies, such as autonomous vehicles, have also been used to complete deliveries, with pilot tests dating to the 2010s. These vehicles can operate within a 8 km zone in some trials, carrying up to 20 kg of cargo.
Questions visitors ask
How far do food delivery couriers typically travel?
In urban areas, most deliveries are within a 5 km radius. Bike couriers often stay within 3 km, while car-based grocery deliveries may extend to 10 km.
What payment methods are accepted for food delivery?
Depending on the delivery company, customers can pay online or in person, using cash or card. A flat rate delivery fee is often charged, and tips are sometimes customary.
Can food delivery be contactless?
Yes, contactless delivery is an option with many services, allowing the courier to leave the order at the door. This became more common after 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.