Technology

Olo partners with Uber to support alcohol delivery

November 2, 2021

Uber has integrated its Uber Direct technology into Dispatch, a delivery fulfillment solution powered by Olo, an on-demand commerce platform powering the restaurant industry's digital transformation.

The integration will make more efficient delivery technology available to restaurants with plans to expand their offerings with the additional support of alcohol delivery, said Shalin Sheth, VP and general manager of Dispatch at Olo.

"Having Uber Direct on the platform adds great value to our restaurants, who increasingly rely on Dispatch as a key solution to best manage operations and costs for delivery given the significant uptick in demand for off-premise in the last year," Sheth said.

Olo's Dispatch network integrates with on-demand delivery platforms, such as Uber Direct, allowing restaurants to request delivery for orders generated through their own websites and apps. The solution manages each restaurant's delivery options and selects service providers, including a restaurant's own couriers, based on optimal price, timing, availability and other criteria.

"We are excited to work more closely with Olo, as we expand our footprint and serve new use cases," Pooja Daftary, head of Uber Direct, said in the release. "Through the Uber Eats app, we're already connected to more than 700,000 brands like Jack in the Box and Tender Greens. By expanding our Olo engagement on Dispatch, we can provide merchants with new solutions as the demand—and opportunity—for digital ordering and delivery continue to grow."

O'Charley's CEO Craig Barber said it was his goal to give guests a great experience whether they're in the restaurants or in their homes, which makes choosing delivery partners incredibly important.

"We're excited about Uber and Olo teaming up to provide seamless solutions to our restaurants and easy access to a massive, reliable national network of delivery people to serve our guests away from our locations," he said in a company press release.

Riki Swindler, VP of Brand & Marketing of Mendocino Farms, agreed saying that the team shares feedback with Uber on ways to improve the delivery experience for our guests and team members, and are thrilled about this new integration with Olo.

"At Mendo, we want to ensure that our guests receive the same wow-factor and happy experience when they order delivery as when they dine-in, and the ability to access Uber's network of couriers through its new product integration with Olo will help us do just that," Swindler said.