DUBLIN, Ohio – Wendy’s is going all in for delivery. The burger chain announced plans to expand its delivery service—through partner DoorDash—to 2,500 locations in 48 market by 2018, the Columbus Dispatch reports. The company tested delivery in Dallas and central Ohio earlier in 2017.
Wendy’s discovered that delivery options mean more customers, according to CEO Todd Penegor this week. Delivery tickets are higher than average as customers place orders for three or four meals, rather than one or two at the drive-thru. “Food at home is the competitor,” Penegor said.
The chain needs new customers and higher sales to counter its stale earnings report in the third quarter. Same-store sales bumped up 2% during that quarter, but corporate-owned stores registered a decrease. “I’m sort of disappointed with the consumer strength lately in the fast-food zone,” said David Palmer, an analyst with RBC Capital Markets. “People should be able to spend.”
Other fast-food restaurants are turning to delivery as well. McDonald’s recently expanded its McDelivery option, with a goal of servicing 5,000 locations by the end of 2017. Even the fast-causal market is getting into delivery, with chains like Outback Steakhouse, Buffalo Wild Wings and Carrabba’s Italian Grill offering the option.