How Has the Rise Uber Eats and GrubHub Impacted the Landscape for Restaurant Workers?

The rise of food delivery platforms such as Uber Eats and GrubHub has dramatically changed the landscape for restaurant workers. 

These platforms have revolutionized the way that people order food, and they have also created new opportunities for people to work in the food service industry. 

But, they’ve also created new challenges and concerns for restaurant workers.

One of the most significant changes that these platforms have brought about is the increase in demand for delivery drivers. With more people ordering food for delivery, there is a growing need for drivers to deliver that food. This has created new job opportunities for people who may not have previously considered working in the food service industry. However, it has also created new challenges for restaurant workers.

One of the biggest concerns for restaurant workers is the impact that these platforms have on their wages. Many restaurant workers are paid minimum wage or lower, and they rely on tips to supplement their income. However, with the rise of food delivery platforms, there is a growing trend towards delivery drivers being paid a flat fee per delivery, rather than being paid an hourly wage plus tips. This can result in lower earnings for delivery drivers, which can have a ripple effect on the entire food service industry.

Another concern for restaurant workers is the impact that these platforms have on the quality of the food that is being delivered. Because these platforms prioritize speed and efficiency over quality, there is often little attention paid to the quality of the food that is being delivered. This can result in food that is cold, stale, or otherwise unsatisfactory. This can lead to dissatisfied customers, which can hurt the reputation of the restaurant and the entire industry as a whole.

Furthermore, the rise of food delivery platforms has also created new challenges for restaurants when it comes to managing their staff. With more orders coming in for delivery, restaurants may struggle to keep up with demand. This can result in overworked staff, which can lead to burnout and high turnover rates. It can also result in a decrease in the quality of the food and service that the restaurant is able to provide, which can have a negative impact on their reputation.

Despite these challenges, there are also some benefits that these platforms bring to the food service industry. For one, they can help to increase the visibility of restaurants and attract new customers. They also make it easier for people to order food, which can lead to increased sales for restaurants. Additionally, these platforms can help to streamline the delivery process, which can result in faster delivery times and happier customers.

However, in order to fully reap the benefits of these platforms while minimizing the challenges and concerns they create, it is important for restaurant owners and managers to take steps to manage their staff effectively. This includes providing adequate training for delivery drivers, ensuring that they are paid a fair wage, and providing them with the tools and resources they need to do their job effectively.

It is also important for restaurants to take steps to ensure the quality of the food that is being delivered. This includes investing in high-quality packaging and delivery vehicles, and taking steps to ensure that the food remains fresh and hot during delivery.

Ultimately, the rise of food delivery platforms like Uber Eats and GrubHub has had a profound impact on the food service industry. While these platforms have created new opportunities for workers and made it easier for people to order food, they have also created new challenges and concerns. 

However, by taking steps to manage their staff effectively and ensuring the quality of the food that is being delivered, restaurants can maximize the benefits of these platforms while minimizing the challenges they create.

Now, back to work.

About 1Huddle

1Huddle is a coaching and development platform that uses quick-burst mobile games to more quickly and effectively educate, elevate, and energize your workforce — from frontline to full-time.

With a mobile-first approach to preparing the modern worker, a mobile library of 3,000+ quick-burst employee skill games, an on-demand game marketplace that covers 16 unique workforce skill areas, and the option for personalized content, 1Huddle is changing the way organizations think about their training – from a one-time boring onboarding experience to a continuous motivational tool. 

Key clients include Loews Hotels, Novartis, Madison Square Garden, PIMCO, TAO Group, and the United States Air Force. To learn more about 1Huddle and its platform, please visit 1huddle.co.