Wendy’s is delivering food by drone for the first time — with one big catch
For when you need your fast food on the fly.
Wendy’s customers around the country may soon be able to receive their orders via drone, thanks to a bold new collaboration between DoorDash and Alphabet’s Wing, the food delivery company announced.
A pilot program rolled out Thursday in Christiansburg, Va., has drones dropping off burgers, fries and a Frosty in “30 minutes or less,” DoorDash said in a press release.
DoorDash is partnering with Wing’s drones in pilot program to deliver Wendy’s items in Virginia.
“Select local consumers will be able to order eligible menu items from Wendy’s — the pilot’s first restaurant partner — through the DoorDash marketplace and have them delivered via drone,” a DoorDash spokesperson said.
Wing drones will reportedly fly the “eligible items” — including Baconators, Frosties and even chili — at 65 mph before gently dropping them off on a customer’s front lawn.
If there are too many orders, the meal will be delivered by a squadron of these automated delivery droids.
Customers simply have to select the “deliver by drone tab” and place their Wendy’s order. The meals then will be prepped, packaged and delivered via Wing drone — for free.
All homes within a 2.5-mile radius of the Wendy’s at 2355 N. Franklin Street will be eligible for the service provided they have a lawn or other landing pad.
DoorDash plans to expand the service to other US cities before the end of the year.
“We’re optimistic about the value drone delivery will bring to our platform as we work to offer more efficient, sustainable, and convenient delivery options for consumers,” said Harrison Shih, Senior Director of DoorDash Labs.
Doordash first partnered with Alphabet’s drone delivery system Wings in Australia in 2022.
It now drops off deliveries from over 60 merchants.
Wing has already been delivering items from 36 Walmart stores in seven states, including an expansion to Dallas, Texas, last August.
Amazon also offers drone delivery from its pharmacy for residents of College Station, Texas.
