With a commanding 23% share of monthly food delivery sales in March 2024, Uber Eats has solidified its position as one of the most influential food delivery apps in North America. If you're aiming to expand your restaurant's sales and reach a broader audience, Uber Eats is a must. Whether you're considering signing up your restaurant or seeking ways to optimize your existing listing for increased sales, our comprehensive guide below offers invaluable insights and strategies to help you navigate the dynamic landscape of Uber Eats.
How Does Uber Eats Work For Restaurants?
The purpose of Uber Eats is to provide customers with a variety of food options available for delivery through easy selection and ordering. Curious how Uber Eats can work for your restaurant? Here's a straightforward breakdown of how Uber Eats could function at your restaurant.
- Order Placement: A hungry customer opens the Uber Eats app, scrolls through your enticing menu, and places an order with a few taps. They can search for a specific restaurant or a specific dish, cuisine or ingredient. Customers are also able to decide between pick-up and delivery at the order placement stage.
- Order Acceptance: Your restaurant manually or automatically accepts the order, depending on your setup.
- Order Tracking: The customer can keep tabs on their order's journey right from the Uber Eats app, from preparation to delivery.
- Order Fulfillment: Your team springs into action, preparing the order to perfection.
- Handoff: Once ready, your order is handed over to a dedicated delivery partner or the customer if they ordered pickup.
- Delivery: If they chose the delivery person swiftly delivers your delicious offerings to the customer, leaving them satisfied and eager for more.
Registering For An Uber Eats Account
Adding restaurants on Uber Eats is very easy. For a full walkthrough of how to setup your restaurant on Uber Eats, visit our blog, How To Get Started With Uber Eats: A Step-By-Step Guide. These are the main steps to get setup:
- Step 1: On The Uber Eats Website, Click Add Your Restaurant
- Step 2: Fill Out The Form With Your Restaurant’s Information
- Step 3: Wait For Uber Eats To Contact You
- Step 4: Decide On Your Pricing Plan
- Step 5: Finish Setting Up Your Restaurant On Uber Eats
- Step 6: Create and Upload Your Uber Eats Menu
When creating your menu you can create it from scratch, or use a tool like Cuboh to import it from your POS or another delivery service.
We strongly encourage you to use a 3rd party integrator if you are using other delivery apps, otherwise managing all of your menus and orders will be cumbersome and more difficult to manage. By having a central place to manage all of your online orders from the various delivery platforms, you’ll save time and reduce order errors that could result in negative customer experiences. Learn more about Cuboh’s delivery app Tablet Consolidation here.
How Much Does Uber Eats Cost?
The cost of Uber Eats for merchants depends on the plan you choose. The delivery fees range from 20-30% and fees for pickup orders are 10%. It’s important to not only look at the costs but also the perks and limitations of each of these options. Here is an overview of the different Uber Eats plan for restaurants, you can learn more on Uber Eats pricing page.
Our recommendation, if you can, is to go for the Premium tier, at least to start. That way you can get your order history built and make it easier for future customers to order. Customers don’t want to be the first to order from a restaurant on Uber Eats without a rating, so you will want to get as much visibility as possible at the beginning.
Be sure you think about the expense of packaging the food. These factors, as well as the cost of the food and preparation, have to go into the price you charge your customers on Uber Eats.
Just remember that some costs of eat-in dining don't apply here. These include things like having to wash the dishes from dine-in service and the cost of free drink refills. It can also include labor costs, such as bussers and hostesses.
Some restaurants choose to start out with their food on Uber Eats the same price as the dine-in food when they sign up for delivery services. Others increase the price just enough to cover the fee from the delivery service. Take a look at your restaurant's bottom line to determine which is the best option for your needs.
How Often Does Uber Eats Pay Restaurants?
Uber Eats has a weekly payout schedule. Please note that order adjustments (like refunds) and cancellations will be excluded from your payments.
Where Is Uber Eats Available?
Uber Eats is widely available all across the United States and Canada. There are also locations where you can use it around the world. These are typically bigger cities that have many restaurants to choose from, as well as places where tourists might want to try fare from different iconic places. Some international locations include:
- Mexico City, Mexico
- London, United Kingdom
- Sydney, Australia
- Seoul, South Korea
- Paris, France
Many cities across the United States, even smaller areas, have Uber Eats available. One thing that can affect the service customers receive is how many delivery drivers are working in the area. Some areas are oversaturated with delivery drivers. Others don't have enough drivers so orders might take longer to get to customers.
How To Increase Your Restaurant Sales On Uber Eats
The convenience of using Uber Eats means that restaurants can reach a wider customer base and potentially increase their sales. But it all comes down to how much visibility you have.
Think of Uber Eats as a search engine like Google. How many times have you Googled something and clicked on a website ranked on the second or third page? Probably, not very often. The higher you can rank in the Uber Eats search, the more sales you will get. For customers to keep selecting your restaurant on Uber Eats to get their favorite meal delivered to their doorstep, you need to stay afloat in the fierce competition. These tips should improve your rankings, get you more orders, and boost your sales.
Improve Star Ratings and Online Reviews
Encourage your satisfied customers to leave positive reviews and ratings on Uber Eats. These reviews play a crucial role in influencing potential new customers' decisions. A higher star rating not only boosts your restaurant's visibility but also improves its ranking in search results, making it more likely for hungry customers to discover and order from your establishment.
Allow Placement for Advanced Orders
Offering the option for advanced orders caters to customers with busy schedules or specific meal times. By allowing customers to schedule their orders in advance, you enhance their convenience and overall experience with your restaurant. This can lead to increased loyalty and repeat business, as customers appreciate the flexibility and reliability of being able to enjoy your food exactly when they want it.
Deliver Dishes Faster
In the fast-paced world of food delivery, speed is paramount. Ensure that your kitchen staff are trained to prioritize efficiency without compromising on quality. Faster preparation and delivery times not only satisfy hungry customers but also improve your restaurant's reputation for timely service. This can result in positive reviews and repeat orders, contributing to increased sales on Uber Eats.
Provide Discounts or Special Offers
Entice potential customers and reward loyal patrons by offering occasional discounts or special promotions on Uber Eats. Whether it's a percentage off their total order or a buy-one-get-one-free deal, everyone loves a good bargain. Promotions not only attract new customers but also encourage existing ones to order more frequently, boosting your restaurant's sales and revenue on the platform.
Customize Orders for Your Customers
Personalization goes a long way in satisfying customers and building brand loyalty. Allow your customers to customize their orders according to their preferences. By accommodating their individual preferences, you demonstrate your commitment to providing a superior dining experience, leading to increased customer satisfaction and repeat business.
Strive for the Uber Top Eats Status
Uber Eats recognizes exceptional restaurants by awarding them with a Top Eats status. This status not only distinguishes your restaurant but also earns you prime placement in the Uber Eats app, increasing your visibility to potential customers. To qualify for the Top Eats status, Uber Eats evaluates specific criteria every 90 days, including your average star rating, completed orders, online rate, missed order rate, and inaccurate order rate. Excelling in these areas demonstrates your commitment to customer satisfaction and reliable service, positioning your restaurant as a top choice for hungry diners. Learn more about Top Eats and how it can elevate your restaurant's presence on Uber Eats here.
Improve Your Order Acceptance Speed
A crucial factor for increasing your ranking on Uber Eats is the speed at which you accept incoming orders. Uber Eats prioritizes restaurants that swiftly accept orders, aiming for an acceptance time of under 7 seconds. To meet this requirement and gain a competitive edge, consider using an online ordering manager like Cuboh. With features such as order auto-accept and seamless POS integrations, Cuboh streamlines the entire online ordering workflow, automating processes and reducing manual intervention. In fact, Cuboh's advanced technology enables orders to be auto-accepted in less than 0.2 seconds, ensuring that you stay ahead of the competition and maintain a top-ranking position on Uber Eats.
As the food delivery landscape continues to evolve, restaurants must adapt and optimize their presence on platforms like Uber Eats to stay competitive. By implementing the strategies outlined in this guide, you can enhance your restaurant's visibility, attract more customers, and ultimately increase your sales on Uber Eats. From improving star ratings and offering advanced ordering options to striving for the coveted Top Eats status and enhancing order acceptance speed, every step you take toward maximizing your presence on Uber Eats brings you closer to success in the digital age. So, whether you're a local favorite or a hidden gem waiting to be discovered, seize the opportunity that Uber Eats presents and elevate your restaurant to new heights.
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Uber Eats for Restaurants FAQs
Is Uber Eats Worth it for Restaurants?
Yes, Uber Eats can significantly increase a restaurant's sales and reach by connecting them with a wide customer base through its convenient food delivery platform.
What is the Function of the Uber Eats App?
The Uber Eats app allows customers to browse menus, place orders, track deliveries in real-time, and provide ratings and reviews for restaurants.
What are the Disadvantages of Uber Eats for Restaurants?
Some disadvantages of Uber Eats for restaurants include high commission fees, reliance on third-party delivery drivers, and increased competition within the app.
How Much Commission Does Uber Eats Take from Restaurants?
Uber Eats typically charges restaurants a commission fee ranging from 20% to 30% for delivery orders and 10% for pickup orders, depending on the pricing plan selected.
Can You Pay Cash on Uber Eats?
No, Uber Eats operates as a cashless platform, and all payments must be made electronically through the app using credit/debit cards or other digital payment methods.
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