Jan 23, 2025
The rise of third-party food delivery services like DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub began as a necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, what started as a short-term solution for social distancing has become an enduring shift in consumer behavior. In March 2024 alone, major meal delivery services in the U.S. experienced an 8% year-over-year increase in sales, underscoring how integral they have become to the dining landscape.
As customer reliance on third-party delivery grows, restaurants must rethink their designs to accommodate this evolving business model. The need for seamless delivery operations now rivals the traditional dine-in experience. Thoughtful planning and design can ensure restaurants serve all their customers—whether they’re dining in, picking up, or delivering—efficiently and without compromising quality.
The location of a restaurant plays a pivotal role in how it can best serve third-party delivery services. Urban restaurants, especially in cities where bike couriers dominate, should prioritize features like dedicated bike parking and convenient pedestrian access. These considerations allow delivery drivers to park their bikes in a safe space and pick up orders quickly and efficiently while minimizing disruptions to a passersby.
In suburban areas, the focus shifts to parking. Delivery drivers often need dedicated spots close to the restaurant entrance to streamline their journey. Clear signage directing drivers to these designated areas can significantly reduce confusion and improve the flow of traffic around the restaurant.
For restaurants seeing high volumes of delivery and dine-in traffic, rethinking the entrance design is essential. Where possible, having separate entrances for dine-in guests and delivery drivers can help maintain distinct experiences. This separation not only improves efficiency but also keeps the dine-in environment more serene, free from the hustle and bustle of pick-up traffic.
Perhaps the most critical design element in the age of delivery is defining clear customer journeys. Restaurants must consider the needs of three distinct groups:
Each group requires its own clearly defined space to ensure a smooth experience. For example, dine-in patrons benefit from intuitive layouts that guide them effortlessly from entry to seating. Pick-up customers need a convenient area to grab their orders quickly, while delivery drivers benefit from a separate waiting zone that doesn’t encroach on other areas of the restaurant.
Restaurants often encounter challenges when trying to balance the needs of these groups. For instance, during peak hours, waiting areas can become overcrowded, especially with large third-party delivery bags. Designing spacious and organized pick-up zones with ample standing room can alleviate this issue.
Another common problem is order accuracy. Delivery drivers occasionally pick up the wrong order, leading to unhappy customers and wasted time. Clearly marked pick-up areas for direct orders versus third-party delivery can reduce these errors, and thoughtful signage ensures that drivers know exactly where to go.
Finally, paths of travel within the restaurant should minimize crossover between groups. Congested spaces can lead to frustration for customers and inefficiencies for staff. By thoughtfully designing pathways and separate zones, restaurants can create circulation paths that benefit everyone.
Third-party delivery is no longer just an add-on service but an integral part of how modern restaurants operate. By embracing design strategies that cater to this growing trend, restaurants can stay ahead of the curve while continuing to serve their dine-in customers with excellence. At Chipman Design Architecture, we specialize in creating spaces that adapt to the evolving needs of our clients and their customers. Together, we can design the future of dining.
Lauren Chipman, a true multi-disciplinary designer and performing artist, brings a distinct sense of creative leadership to her position as Chief Executive Officer at Chipman Design Architecture. Prior to her work at Chipman, Lauren performed professionally as a string instrumentalist with a resume that includes recording for television, film, and top Billboard artists. Today, Lauren is proud to be part of the third generation to carry on her family’s legacy. Lauren’s unconventional background and innate sense of innovation allow her to bring a fresh perspective to the impact of hospitality, retail, and restaurant spaces. Despite helming a well-established firm that supports national clients like Chick-fil-A, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Ulta Beauty, Marriott, Peet’s Coffee and CVS, Lauren’s entrepreneurial vision often goes beyond traditional industry approaches. From pioneering integration of new technology in the conceptual design process to almost exclusively recruiting multi-hyphenate talent, Lauren directs the company with the future in mind. A holistic leader, Lauren leverages her own experience as an industry outsider to cultivate a unique, forward-thinking environment composed of a team with diverse backgrounds. She pushes the firm to not only solve present design challenges but also develop foresight into cultural and behavioral changes. This high-level of adaptable strategy allows the firm to keep clients ahead of the curve, and nimble in response to industry shifts. Lauren has spoken at numerous conferences, including Globalshop, Google Zeitgeist, design:retail Forum, MUFES, MUFSO and Bitac Luxury. A Professional Affiliate of the AIA, Lauren also holds memberships in such industry organizations as NOMA and RDI and was recently recognized with vmsd’s “40 under 40 award.”
Chipman Design Architecture (WBE) is a people-first, family-owned senior living, retail, and hospitality, architecture firm composed of innovators, architects, and interior designers who love collaborating, breaking boundaries, and creating spaces for tomorrow. For over forty-five years, the firm has separated themselves with a focus on the future in regard to organizational structure, customer experience and fostering community. With corporate headquarters in Chicago, and five additional national offices, Chipman Design provides interior design, experiential design, and architectural expertise throughout North America. Today, the firm’s Principal team, led by third generation family member, and CEO, Lauren Chipman, offers innovation and professionalism through complete architectural and interior design services. Through membership in the U.S. Green Building Council, the firm’s commitment to sustainability and lowering energy consumption continues to reinforce recognition of the critical role of architects in today’s world.
