As drone delivery becomes more prevalent in the United States, some of your favorite restaurants are joining the trend. Among the biggest names? Wendy’s, which announced this month that it was teaming up with delivery giant DoorDash and Google-sibling drone delivery provider Wing.
Now, residents of Christiansburg, Virginia can get Wendy’s Frosties via drone. But that’s not the only sort of fast food options that drones are flying through the skies. On the healthier end, California-based restaurant Mendocino Farms announced a partnership with Zipline in 2023 to deliver its gourmet sandwiches and salads to customers via drone.
And particularly as the number of drone delivery companies continue to grow, so do the restaurant partnerships.
Why restaurants love drone delivery
So why are restaurants like Wendy’s or Mendocino looking to drone delivery companies? For starters, off-premise business for restaurants has been growing since the pandemic — and drones can bring that food off-premises.
Another reason is sustainability. Drones offer up to 94% lower energy consumption per package than other vehicles, providing a greener alternative for companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
Lastly, it’s pure publicity. People probably aren’t posting a video on social media of their food being delivered in a car, but they certainly might if it’s being delivered by a drone.
While Mendocino Farms’ drone delivery service isn’t expected to begin until 2025 there’s no shortage of other restaurants that have already partnered with drone delivery services like Zipline, Flytrex, Wing, and Droneup — and many of them offer drone deliveries today.
The top restaurants for drone delivery
These 10 popular restaurants have embraced this futuristic delivery method. From healthy salads to indulgent cupcakes, there’s something for everyone:
1. Sweetgreen
Cities served: Various locations in California
Service provider: Zipline
For health-conscious diners, Sweetgreen’s partnership with Zipline is a game changer. Soon, you’ll be able to get your favorite nutritious bowls delivered swiftly from the sky. Sweetgreen is partnering with Zipline for the purposes of sustainability. Sweetgreen has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2027.
2. Chick-fil-A
Cities served: Granbury, Texas, various suburbs in NC, Brandon, FL and others
Service provider: Flytrex & DroneUp
If you are anything like me, you have spent a considerable amount of time waiting in the Chick-fil-A’s drive-thru line. You can skip the line for your chicken sandwich and Chick-fil-A sauce and have it drone delivered right to your door. Lucky for residents in Texas, North Carolina, and Florida, Chick-fil-A partners with not one, but two different drone delivery services.
3. Brugh Coffee Co
Cities served: Christiansburg, Virginia
Service provider: Wing
I don’t want to go anywhere before I have my morning coffee. So, why not get the coffee delivered by drone? No human interaction is needed. Brugh Coffee was one of the first coffee providers to send a cup of coffee via drone to a customer. Brugh Coffee partners with Wing, a drone delivery company owned by Google parent company Alphabet, to deliver their coffee.
4. Chili’s
Cities served: Granbury, Texas, and various suburbs in NC
Service provider: Flytrex
Chili’s diverse menu of American cuisine is now available for drone delivery. Flytrex makes it possible to enjoy Chili’s classics from the comfort of your home. The drone delievery company focuses its delivery in the US suburbs. Flytrex has proven convenient for those working from home. Just ask Mike Shanklin, who gets drone delivery 3-4x a week.
5. Sugar Magnolia
Cities served: Christiansburg, Virginia
Service provider: Wing
For those in Christiansburg, Virginia, Sugar Magnolia’s delightful baked goods and sweets are just a drone away with Wing’s innovative delivery service. Sugar Magnolia was part of the original partnership when Wing opened up in Christiansburg, Virginia, along with FedEx and Walgreens. Sugar Magnolia had only been open for 15 months when they began their partnership.
6. Pagliacci Pizza
Cities served: Various locations in Seattle
Service provider: Zipline
Bring a little excitement to Friday pizza night via Pagliacci Pizza, which offers drone delivery through Zipline. Pagliacci Pizza says drones are more sustainable and help alleviate drive times during peak hours. Zipline designed a special box that fits two 13-inch pizzas, a salad, and a couple of sodas.
7. Gran Rodeo Mexican Restaurant
Cities served: Christiansburg, Virginia
Service provider: Wing
Authentic Mexican cuisine from Gran Rodeo Mexican Restaurant is delivered by drones in Virginia, with burritos ranking among the most popular orders. Gran Rodeo Mexican Restaurant was one of the first ‘hot food’ places to partner with Wing, due to its location. It is located right next to Wing’s headquarters, so employees are able to walk the food over to the hub to be delivered.
8. Jersey Mike’s
Cities served: Granbury, Texas, and various suburbs in NC
Service provider: Flytrex
Jersey Mike’s famous subs are a drone flight away in North Carolina. Jersey Mike’s Subs was one of Flytrex’s national chain partnerships. Customers in the service area can now order to front and backyards, with a flight time of just five minutes.
9. Gigi’s Cupcakes
Cities served: Christiansburg, Virginia
Service provider: Wing
Satisfy your sweet tooth with Gigi’s Cupcakes, available for drone delivery through Wing. You can order Gigi’s Cupcakes and other restaurants through Wing’s delivery app, just like you would for UberEats.
10. Wendy’s
Cities served: Christiansburg, Virginia
Service provider: Wing
Wendy’s is a newcomer on the list, having joined forces with Wing in March 2024 as the first restaurant to participate in Wing’s U.S. partnership with DoorDash. Alas, you can finally get that Frosty or juicy Baconator delivered by a drone. Read more about Wendy’s drone delivery here.
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The post 10 beloved restaurants that you can order drone delivery from in America appeared first on The Drone Girl.