# Food Delivery Strategy > Plans food delivery operations with platform selection, packaging, pricing, and quality control procedures. Use when launching or optimizing restaurant delivery service. - Skill: `reaperinvest/food-delivery-strategy` (Agent Skill) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add reaperinvest/food-delivery-strategy` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/reaperinvest/food-delivery-strategy/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: reaperinvest (https://skillmd.com/u/reaperinvest) - Updated: 2026-09-22 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/reaperinvest/food-delivery-strategy --- # Food Delivery Strategy ## When to Use This Skill Use this skill when you need to: - Launch or optimize food delivery operations for a restaurant - Select and manage third-party delivery platforms - Design delivery-specific menus, packaging, and pricing strategies - Build quality control procedures for delivery orders **DO NOT** use this skill for meal prep or meal kit businesses, grocery delivery, or catering logistics. This is for restaurant delivery operations. --- ## Core Principle DELIVERY IS A DIFFERENT PRODUCT THAN DINE-IN — THE FOOD MUST ARRIVE LOOKING AND TASTING AS INTENDED. IF A DISH DOES NOT TRAVEL WELL, IT DOES NOT BELONG ON THE DELIVERY MENU. --- ## Phase 1: Brief ### Required Inputs | Input | What to Ask | Default | |-------|------------|---------| | **Restaurant type** | "What type of restaurant and cuisine?" | No default — must be provided | | **Current delivery status** | "Do you currently offer delivery? Through which platforms?" | Not yet — planning to launch | | **Menu suitability** | "Which menu items travel well? Which do not?" | Unknown — needs evaluation | | **Delivery radius** | "How far are you willing to deliver?" | 5-mile radius | | **Capacity** | "Can your kitchen handle delivery volume on top of dine-in?" | Limited — need to manage carefully | | **Budget** | "Are you willing to absorb platform commissions or pass costs to customers?" | Pass through as delivery fee markup | **GATE: Confirm the brief before building the strategy.** --- ## Phase 2: Platform Strategy ### Platform Comparison | Platform | Commission | Reach | Best For | |----------|-----------|-------|----------| | **DoorDash** | 15-30% | Largest US reach | Maximum exposure | | **Uber Eats** | 15-30% | Strong urban presence | Urban markets | | **Grubhub** | 15-30% | Northeast strong | Regional focus | | **Direct (own website)** | 0% + processing fees | Your customers | Repeat customers, higher margins | | **Toast/Square delivery** | Lower commission | Integrated with POS | Existing Toast/Square users | ### Platform Strategy Options | Strategy | Description | Margin Impact | |----------|-------------|---------------| | **Multi-platform** | List on 2-3 platforms for maximum reach | Lowest margin, highest volume | | **Platform + direct** | Use 1 platform for discovery, push repeat orders to direct | Balanced | | **Direct only** | Own ordering website or app | Highest margin, requires marketing | ### Pricing Strategy for Delivery - **Option 1:** Raise delivery menu prices 15-20% to offset commissions - **Option 2:** Keep same prices, absorb the commission (builds volume) - **Option 3:** Create delivery-exclusive combo deals with built-in margin **GATE: Confirm platform and pricing strategy before designing the delivery menu.** --- ## Phase 3: Operations ### Delivery Menu Design Evaluate each menu item for delivery suitability: | Criteria | Pass | Fail | |----------|------|------| | Holds temperature for 30 minutes | Yes | Disqualified | | Does not get soggy or wilt | Yes | Modify or remove | | Looks presentable after transport | Yes | Modify or remove | | Can be reheated without quality loss | Bonus | Not required | | Packs efficiently | Yes | Modify container | **Menu rules:** - Remove items that do not travel well (crispy items that go soggy, items that require precise plating) - Add delivery-friendly items (bowls, wraps, sealed containers) - Create delivery-only combos that increase average order value - Offer family-size or multi-person options for higher ticket ### Packaging Standards ``` ## Packaging Requirements | Food Type | Container | Seal | Notes | |-----------|-----------|------|-------| | Hot entrees | Microwave-safe, vented | Tamper-evident sticker | Vent prevents sogginess | | Cold items | Separate container | Sealed lid | Keep away from hot items | | Sauces/dressings | Small sealed cups | Snap lid | Always on the side | | Drinks | Sealed cups with lids | Bag separately | Upright in carrier | | Sides | Compartmentalized or separate | Sealed | Label each container | **Additional:** - Include napkins, utensils, and condiments in every order - Add a branded sticker or thank-you card - Use tamper-evident seals on all containers - Bag hot and cold items separately ``` ### Quality Control Process ``` ## Delivery Order QC Checklist Before handing off to driver: - [ ] All items in the order are present (check against ticket) - [ ] Hot food is hot, cold food is cold - [ ] Sauces and dressings are packaged separately - [ ] All containers are sealed with tamper-evident stickers - [ ] Utensils, napkins, and condiments included - [ ] Order is bagged correctly (hot/cold separated) - [ ] Receipt or order summary visible on the bag ``` --- ## Phase 4: Polish ### 1. Delivery-Specific Metrics ``` ## Delivery Metrics - **Delivery order volume:** Orders per day/week - **Average delivery ticket:** Target 20-30% higher than dine-in - **Delivery revenue as % of total:** Track growth over time - **Platform commission costs:** Actual $ paid per platform per month - **Order accuracy rate:** % of orders with no errors (target: 98%+) - **Delivery rating:** Platform rating and review scores - **Refund/complaint rate:** % of orders with issues (target: under 2%) - **Prep-to-pickup time:** Average minutes from order to driver handoff ``` ### 2. Customer Experience Touches - Include a handwritten or printed thank-you card in every delivery - Add a QR code linking to your direct ordering site (saves future commissions) - Offer a small loyalty incentive for direct orders: "Order from our website next time and save 10%" - Respond to every delivery review on platforms ### 3. Quality Checklist ``` ## Delivery Strategy Checklist - [ ] Delivery platforms selected with commission rates understood - [ ] Delivery menu curated (items that travel well only) - [ ] Delivery pricing strategy set (markup, same price, or combos) - [ ] Packaging standards documented with container specs - [ ] Quality control checklist posted at the delivery station - [ ] Kitchen capacity plan accounts for delivery + dine-in volume - [ ] Delivery metrics defined and tracked weekly - [ ] Direct ordering option available (own website or system) - [ ] Customer experience touches planned (thank-you cards, loyalty offer) - [ ] Staff trained on delivery order workflow ``` --- ## Example **Restaurant:** Fast-casual Thai, launching delivery **Delivery menu adjustments:** - Removed: Crispy spring rolls (get soggy in transit) - Modified: Pad Thai packaged with sauce on the side (prevents mushiness) - Added: Thai Bowl combo (rice + protein + sauce, $14) — delivery-exclusive - Added: Family Pack (4 bowls + appetizer, $48) — delivery-exclusive **Pricing:** 18% markup on delivery platforms. Same price on direct ordering website. Direct ordering promoted with "Save 15% — order from our website" card in every delivery bag. --- ## Anti-Patterns - **Putting your entire menu on delivery** — not every dish travels well. A soggy delivery order loses a customer permanently. - **Ignoring packaging** — food that arrives cold, spilled, or mixed together gets a 1-star review. Invest in proper containers. - **No quality check before handoff** — wrong items and missing utensils are the top delivery complaints. Check every bag. - **Same prices as dine-in on platforms** — you are paying 20-30% commission. Either raise prices or accept the margin hit consciously. - **Not promoting direct ordering** — every delivery platform order costs you 20-30% in commission. Push customers to your own ordering channel. --- ## Recovery - **Low delivery ratings:** Audit the last 10 negative reviews. Most complaints are: wrong items, cold food, or missing items. Fix the QC process. - **Platform commissions are too high:** Negotiate rates (possible at higher volume), raise delivery prices, or push customers to direct ordering. - **Kitchen cannot handle delivery volume:** Set delivery order limits during peak dine-in hours. Stagger availability. - **Food quality suffers in transit:** Redesign packaging. Test by ordering your own delivery and eating it 30 minutes later. Fix what does not work.