In an earlier blog, we mentioned that the market research organization NPD Group reported that, in the past five years, revenue from restaurant deliveries has jumped 20 percent and the overall number of food deliveries has increased by about 10 percent.

Further, they found that the entire food delivery business is expanding. At one time, consumers ordered food deliveries just for dinner.

But now, according to NPD, from 2012 to 2017 the number of quick-service breakfast and lunch deliveries increased by 13 percent. And, if you are a restaurant or food service business considering adding a food delivery service, there is something else you should know: some restaurants have reported their businesses have grown significantly by adding food delivery.

In other words, consumers like food delivered throughout the day and for any meal, and this can be a very lucrative opportunity for restaurants and food service outlets – if they follow a few safety tips and rules:

• Select delivery drivers that have safe driving records.
• Develop a safety program so that drivers know how to handle difficult situations and how to ensure their own safety. For instance, when delivering to a home, always park on the driveway – not in the street – and leave the car’s headlights directed toward the front door. Unfortunately, food delivery drivers have been the target of robberies and other crimes.
• Always ask the customer for a callback number and have the delivery person call that number before delivery. This helps confirm the delivery for both the customer and the driver.
• Keep a list of all delivery customers and their ordering history; customers will be flattered that you remember their last order and it can also speed up the ordering process.
• Have a credit- or debit-only policy for all food orders so that drivers do not have to carry cash. At one time, restaurants and food service outlets only required credit cards for food orders after a certain time, for instance, 9 PM. However, delivery drivers have had unfortunate experiences occur any time, day or night. A credit or debit policy throughout the day is the best option to ensure driver safety.
• Related to this, the delivery vehicle should have signs indicating that the driver carries no cash.
• Be sure to add tamper-evident labels to all food delivery packages; this tells the consumer that their food delivery has not been tampered with in any way while en route.
• Make sure delivery drivers carry cell phones at all times.

If it appears we have placed a considerable amount of time and emphasis on driver safety, you’re right—while the overwhelming number of food deliveries are carried out without incident, and many delivery drivers report that their jobs are enjoyable and fun, drivers have been the target of many assaults and crimes.

DayMark Safety Systems is encouraging all restaurants and food service outlets now entering the food delivery business to take steps to help ensure driver safety. Without the driver, there is no food delivery.

For more information on DayMark Safety Systems tamper-evident, TamperSeal™ labels, contact a DayMark representative.