{"id":43650,"date":"2020-03-31T09:00:26","date_gmt":"2020-03-31T08:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/?p=43650"},"modified":"2022-06-15T11:36:42","modified_gmt":"2022-06-15T10:36:42","slug":"convert-restaurant-into-food-delivery-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/convert-restaurant-into-food-delivery-service\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Convert Your Restaurant into a Food Delivery Service"},"content":{"rendered":"

Over the years, food delivery services have grown exponentially as takeaways took off. Arguably the biggest players in home delivery services, Just Eat, processed a staggering 122.8 million orders in 2018. They have over 35,700 restaurant partnerships and are committed to delivering to 95% of UK postcodes. When combined with other key players, such as Deliveroo and UberEATS, as well as locally based takeaways, the number of people using food delivery services on a daily basis is astronomical.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Food delivery services through third party apps are an established way for high street restaurants and takeaways to add another steam of revenue to their businesses. But recent events have seen many business owners look at adapting their offering, and many restaurateurs are now also looking at the feasibility of becoming dark kitchens<\/a>, offering takeaway food, or starting their own food delivery service from within their now closed premises.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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What is a food delivery service?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Typically, food delivery is a courier service to get food to customers. There are two ways a customer can order food – either directly with the food business, who will deliver it as soon as possible, or through a third party. Traditionally, third parties such as Deliveroo or JustEat, will take a percentage of the order placed, as well as charge a fee for the partnership. Items available for delivery usually include main meals, sides and desserts. However, it can also include groceries, something we\u2019ve seen an increase of lately.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Should You Become an Operating Kitchen for Food Delivery Service?<\/h2>\n

According to Leon founder John Vincent, over 50 million meals are eaten out of the home. With restrictions now in place as we all respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, these meals are no longer able to be consumed out of the home. This has forced consumers to turn to supermarkets, where they previously might have turned to sandwich shops, restaurants, bars and cafes. This is having a dramatic impact on the supermarkets, who are struggling to fill their shelves as they do their best to meet this upsurge in demand.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Furthermore, large businesses such as McDonald’s, Greggs, Pret-a-Manger, Burger King and Caffe Nero, have taken the decision to cease trading, including stopping trading as takeaway-only sites. The statements they issued demonstrate a commitment to putting the wellbeing of their staff first, and following government guidance to stay indoors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, as traditional takeaway meal providers like this shut up shop, and supermarkets struggle to cope with demand, there is an opportunity for restaurants, pubs and cafes to work within their communities and provide food via delivery.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Consequently there are now pubs and restaurants, both independents and chains, that are looking at whether they <\/span>can<\/b> safely operate without compromising their own staff nor the public, as well as whether they <\/span>should<\/b>. Stepping in to provide food delivery at this time will no doubt help alleviate some of the pressure for the UK food supply chain, but it could also ease stress for those in their communities who are struggling to find food items.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Chef<\/p>\n

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What are the Legal Requirements for Food Delivery Services?<\/h2>\n

Previously, if a business wanted to change its use from a drinking establishment, or restaurant to a takeaway business, it would need to apply to their local council for a <\/span>change of use<\/b>. In the current climate, these restrictions have been suspended for 12 months.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On March 18th, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government announced<\/a> it was relaxing restrictions on takeaway food outlets:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>The government will introduce a time limited permitted development right through secondary legislation (negative SI) to allow the temporary change of use of a pub (A4 – drinking establishment) and a restaurant (A3 \u2013 restaurants and cafes) to a hot-food takeaway for a period of up to 12 months only.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This relaxation on trading restrictions means that pubs, cafes and restaurants can all now trade as hot food takeaway establishments, should they wish to. However, it remains that<\/span> all food businesses must comply with food hygiene law<\/b>. In guidance released by the FSA, they remind businesses that there should be an existing Food Safety Management System (FSMS) that works with their Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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All food businesses are responsible for making sure that the food they sell or supply is safe and meets all applicable legal requirements. Under EU law Regulation (EC) No 178\/2002<\/a>, food sellers must ensure that:<\/span><\/p>\n