Skift Take
If there is one dominant trend this month, it's that chicken joints know that delivery matters now.
— Danni Santana
Each month, Skift Table will be highlighting some of the key industry partnerships made by fast-food chains around the world.
In this inaugural edition, our adventures take us to parts of Asia, Australia, and the U.S., where the likes of Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, and KFC were busy making moves this month. November’s main theme undoubtedly proved to be delivery, with consumers’ appetite for the service growing by the day.
Wingstop and DoorDash
Partnership announced: Nov. 26
Details: After multiple delivery tests run in Las Vegas, Chicago, Austin, and Denver, Wingstop launched its new delivery service with tech company DoorDash in the Los Angeles and Houston markets, it said this week. The chain’s market-by-market rollout with DoorDash will continue well into 2019, according to the companies. For DoorDash, this marks yet another exclusive partnership, adding to established deals with Wendy’s and The Cheesecake Factory prior.
KFC and Menulog
Partnership announced: Nov. 20
Details: Good news for about half of Australia’s 3,800 suburbs: KFC is now being delivered to homes directly through local delivery app Menulog. KFC joins upwards of 11,000 restaurant clients using Menulog’s services. The fried chicken chain plans to make 180 restaurants available for delivery in Australia through Menulog by Christmas, with 200 more locations scheduled to launch next year, News.com.au reported.
Chick-fil-A and DoorDash
Partnership announced: Nov. 13
Details: Another chicken chain, Chick-fil-A, partnered with DoorDash this month as well. However, this deal is not exclusive. After piloting DoorDash’s technology as far back as last year, the privately-held company will now offer home delivery from 1,100 of its restaurants across the U.S. For those consumers not included in a DoorDash delivery area, Chick-fil-A is also testing home delivery with other servicers.
Starbucks and Uber Eats
Partnership announced: Nov. 8
Details: Starbucks is very fixated on Asia, especially China. But this month, the coffee maker announced expansion plans in Japan, along with a new delivery partnership with Uber Eats. Starbucks said in a statement that it plans to open 300 stores by 2021 in the country, which would bring its count up to 1,700 units. As far as its Uber Eats partnership, the program became available in six existing locations across Japan Nov. 9.
