Facebook has announced a new feature that will let users buy meals on its website through third-party delivery services like DoorDash or directly from a group of restaurants such as Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. and Five Guys.
You can order food for pick-up or delivery, directly on Facebook. The social network combines options from a number of food ordering services like EatStreet, Delivery.com, DoorDash, ChowNow and Olo, as well as restaurants like Jack in the Box, Five Guys, Papa John's, and Panera. You can even check out what your friends have to say about a restaurant before you order your food.
You can browse restaurants nearby by visiting the Order Food section in the Explore menu. On this page, you can browse food options and select Start Order when you've found what you're looking for. If the restaurant you want to order from offers takeout or delivery with multiple services, you can select which service you'd like to use. For example, if you have an account with Delivery.com, you can order with your existing login. If you don't have an account with that service, you can sign up, without leaving the Facebook app.
Facebook has been testing this since last year, and after responding to feedback and adding more partners, the company is rolling out everywhere in the US on iOS, Android and desktop.
People will be able to browse restaurants near them that take orders via Delivery.com, DoorDash, ChowNow, Zuppler, EatStreet, Slice, and Olo, as well as directly from restaurants including Papa John's, Wingstop, Panera, Jack in the Box, TGI Friday's, Denny's, El Pollo Loco, Chipotle, Five Guys and Jimmy John's.
Facebook will have to persuade U.S. consumers to start the process inside its app instead of using GrubHub, UberEats, Amazon or niche delivery services like Caviar.
Facebook is trying to boost their presence in the restaurant industry. Amazon.com recently announced a partnership with Olo, which provides order and pay technology to thousands of U.S. locations.
While Amazon might not make money on food orders, its delivery service is seen as a way to gather valuable customer data and keep in constant contact with consumers. All types of restaurants operate Facebook pages and the company has seen a rise in users searching out food on its site.
Facebook said it has no plans to hire drivers and actually deliver food.