Since early March, we have been sounding the alarm that at a time when independent restaurants (and consumers) are increasingly dependent on takeout and delivery, food delivery companies are not doing their part to help.
A bit of background:
- On March 13, 2020, we published an Open Letter to Food Delivery Businesses, calling for the reduction or elimination of commission fees at a time when small businesses are fighting for their very survival.
- On March 24, 2020, we published Looking for “Good” Delivery? How Food Delivery Options Impact Local Restaurants. to remind consumers that our delivery convenience comes at a real cost to small businesses.
- The latest news highlighted in yesterday’s TechCrunch article is that Grubhub is pressuring independent restaurants to provide delivery discounts to consumers while not offering any reduction in the commision fees that they charge. TechCrunch rightly identifies the practice as predatory and exploitative.
The unfortunate reality is that while takeout (bypassing delivery) is an option for some, government orders to “stay home” and the true need for delivery by some communities (people with disabilities, the immunocompromised, those wanting to avoid public transportation, etc.) means that in many instances, delivery via a third party company is necessary.
Now is the time for food delivery companies like Grubhub, Seamless, Doordash, Caviar, Postmates, and Uber Eats to offer real relief to the independent small businesses at the heart of our communities.
How you can help
- Sign our Change.org petition. If you already signed our open letter, please sign this petition as we expand the visibility of our efforts!
- Share our Change.org petition via social media and email.
- Spend Like It Matters by prioritizing takeout, purchase of zero-commission gift certificates from our marketplace, and direct delivery from local businesses. Our Takeout & Delivery Directory makes it easy to search and filter for “Takeout” and “Delivery” that does not use a third party company.
Thanks for all that you do to #SpendLikeItMatters! Discover awesome brick + mortar small businesses in your community, suggest your favorites, and be sure that you’re following us on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter).
Intentionalist is your local guide to small businesses and the diverse people behind them. We believe that where you spend your money matters, and we’re sure glad you do too! Whether you identify as a localist, activist, or just a good neighbor, we make it easy for you to connect with, learn about, and support small businesses in your community through everyday decisions about where you eat, drink, and shop.