In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the food delivery landscape has undergone a transformative journey, evolving into an integral facet of the culinary industry. While over 112 million Americans have embraced the convenience of food delivery services, the market, projected to soar to $1.45 trillion by 2027, is experiencing a shift from the frenetic days of pandemic-induced reliance.

"As consumer expectations evolve, we envision a more seamless and hyper-personalized delivery experience, where tech and convenience meet hospitality," said Darden Coors, the CEO of Salad Collective, who will reveal her delivery strategy at the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit, March 24-26 at the InteContinental in Kansas City. She and three other restaurant executives will discuss delivery issues during a breakout session called, "Predicting the Future of Restaurant Delivery" at 2:45 p.m., Monday.

Salad Collective's 2023 partnership with a robotics company marked a shift toward advanced delivery methods, combining technologies like drones and AI to redefine the landscape, emphasizing speed, efficiency and sustainability, Coors said in an email interview.

"Embracing delivery innovation while still offering friendly, memorable service is a delicate balance and essential for businesses to make a lasting impression in this new era of off-premise business," she said. "In response to the rapidly evolving landscape, Salad Collective is committed to exploring emerging tech to deliver healthy meals faster and more efficiently."

Over the next five years, Coors said she expects to see partnerships among restaurants and grocery, retail, healthcare and gaming marketplaces offering combined delivery services reaching new audiences outside the restaurant walls.

Max Sheets, founder and CEO of Chicken N Max, who will also be on the panel, agreed, saying he expects to see a continued integration of delivery services between in-house and third party.

"I believe we will see consolidation in the third-party segment," he said in an email. "We will also have the opportunity to continue to negotiate more favorable third-party rates."

John Berberich, vice president of EMEA and North America for Shake Shack, and David Wentworth of Schooxwill round out the panel, designed to help attendees plan their delivery strategies.

"Although none of us have a crystal ball, it's safe to say that delivery operations are going to continually evolve based on customer demands, so learning from operators who are rolling with those changes is one of the best ways to stay competitive," said Cherryh Cansler, VP of Networld Media Group, which produces the Summit.

Click hereTo register for the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit.

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