TAMPA, Fla. — Uber Eats is waiving delivery fees on all orders from independent restaurants across the U.S. and Canada amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"We know small businesses are the backbone of this great city and we are actively monitoring the impact to our locally-owned restaurants who are facing a difficult season due to COVID-19. As we work to minimize the impact of coronavirus, we are proud to see companies like Uber Eats step up to help our community,” says Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. "Technology allows us to stay connected, despite social distancing. And by using services like Uber Eats, we can continue supporting our small businesses while protecting the safety of restaurant workers, customers, and our community."
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The company says it's also rolling out "dedicated marketing campaigns" through its app and in emails to promote delivery from local restaurants.
“We know the coming weeks will be challenging ones for many small business owners, and we want to help restaurants focus on food, not finances.” said Janelle Sallenave, head of Uber Eats for the U.S. and Canada. “That’s why we’re working to drive increased demand to more than 100,000 independent restaurants across the U.S. and Canada through free delivery and marketing efforts.”
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Additionally, the company announced a new opt-in program for all restaurants in the U.S. and Canada that use Uber Eats to get daily payouts, rather that the standard weekly payout.
“We've heard from restaurants that they're worried about what the health crisis will do to sales, and its impact on cash flow and their ability to pay suppliers or employees,” said Therese Lim, head of restaurant product at Uber Eats. “That's why, from today we'll provide restaurants with the option to receive daily payouts rather than waiting until the end of the week to see revenue from deliveries, which can be even more important as delivery becomes a bigger share of their sales during this time.”
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Uber Eats also pledged more than 300,000 free meals to be delivered to healthcare workers and other relief efforts. The company is working in coordination with local and state governments.
The company also started a user campaign to drive awareness of "contactless" delivery to make sure all orders are properly sealed. The company is working to provide delivery people with sanitization materials in the most impacted markets.
“We are always working to help keep everyone who uses Uber safe,” said Andrew MacDonald, Vice President of Platform at Uber and global head of the company’s global coronavirus response team to support users including delivery people, restaurants, and drivers. “We remain in close contact with local public health authorities and will continue to follow their guidance to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.”
