Uber Eats opens its doors to 50,000 restaurants

Uber Eats has announced it is to add 50,0000 restaurants to its offering, as the food delivery app unlocks its technology to restaurants with their own delivery drivers.

Launching nationwide today, the new service will offer restaurants in 100 towns and cities, whether they want to use their own delivery drivers or access independent couriers via the Uber Eats app. Previously Uber Eats was only available to restaurants who wanted to offer delivery using independent couriers available on the app.

Crucially the new delivery option is expected to provide the app’s users with a vastly enhanced selection of restaurants to choose from. Uber Eats is currently partnered with 10,000 restaurants in 100 towns and cities across the UK, and expects this number to more than double in 2019.

The changes will be accompanied by a new service fee structure and self-service sign up tool designed to make it quicker and easier for restaurants to partner with Uber Eats.

The announcement comes as new data reveals the growing food delivery market, which is expected to be worth nearly £10bn by 2021, is playing an increasingly important role in the growth of small and medium sized restaurants. For the 78% of Uber Eats restaurants that are small and medium sized businesses, on average food delivery is expected to account for more than 10% of their total revenue.

Toussaint Wattinne, general manager, Uber Eats UK & Ireland said: “We want to help as many restaurants as possible open their virtual doors and unlock the value of their business with food delivery. That’s why we’re opening our technology up for all restaurants who want to grow their business with Uber Eats.

“Whether that’s helping a family run fish and chip shop make their first delivery or supporting a household favourite serve more customers. We strongly believe this will help restaurants big and small thrive long in to the future, while vastly enhancing selection for users.”

Kate Nicholls, CEO at UKHospitality added: “Hospitality and food businesses are integral to high streets and will have a significant role to play if they are to prosper in the future. It’s no secret that high streets across Britain face a number of challenges but technology and food delivery apps like Uber Eats can present unique opportunities particularly for many smaller businesses.

“We urge more companies to invest in Britain’s high streets and nurture the lifeblood of our local economies.”