Massive heatwaves and snowstorms can essentially cripple sales for restaurants that depend on dine-in traffic. However, delivery partnerships can aid new growth opportunities out during severe conditions. Predictions in the weather department have made it relatively easier for restaurants to find their way around the issue of frozen sales. These weather conditions might be temporary, but the effect that they lay in their awake can be crippling for some local food joints in Canada. Thus, food delivery apps seem like a Godsend for restaurants. During cold snaps, eateries and diners get more sales due to the decreased desire to cook—sales for hot foods skyrockets. On the other hand, heat waves have also been known to kill the mood to cook near a hot stove. Thereby, foods with the word cold naturally become more popular. Nevertheless, the safety of delivery drivers is still an issue to be resolved. The Canadian food delivery apps are no exception to these extreme weather conditions.
Canadian delivery apps are known to be useful as third-party platforms. They essentially work as lifelines when the restaurant’s delivery system is down during extreme weather conditions. For example, Uber Eats is a company that controls logistics data developed with the parent company. This means that the platform provides data on traffic, weather and live metrics to provide efficient delivery services for its restaurant partners. This facility enables restaurants to prepare and deliver food in the safest way possible. According to a report, Uber hires agents to watch market conditions and provide information to delivery partners. Although some delivery apps in Canada refuse to deliver food in extreme weather conditions, some are more than eager to venture out.
This is because harsh weather usually means higher tips for delivery riders. Furthermore, with higher-order placements, severe weather sometimes becomes another way to boost income for some drivers. These drivers are then also recognized for their extra efforts with job benefits of some sort. According to research, Canada’s delivery drivers mainly get 9% to 12% more tips during extreme weather conditions. The main reason for this increase in dividends is a 21% increase in food orders during frosty weather.
For example, Pizza delivery tends to tick up during stormy weather. A pizzeria told reporters from NBC Green Bay that their sales tend to rise about 40% during stormy weather. And this isn’t just true for food delivery services in Canada! In 2015, after a blizzard in New York City, there was a 135% increase in cheese pizza orders compared to a typical Tuesday. Therefore, food delivery during extreme weather can be challenging. However, it seems the benefits outweigh the cons for most delivery platforms and delivery riders in Canada.