Whoever said, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” probably feels a bit silly right now. That’s because 2017’s newest addition to the food delivery space isn’t your average plucky, cleverly named startup with a mobile app and a dream. It’s legacy fast-food giant McDonald’s.
That’s right: In January 2017, Big Mac aficionados in Orlando, Tampa and Miami will be the first customers to try out McDonald’s new push into the food delivery space in partnership with UberEATS. Some 200 stores in the region will reportedly offer delivery options during the trial run.
Customers in the U.S., Australia, Canada, France and the U.K. can expect McDonald’s delivery to roll out to them later in 2017. By 2018, McDonald’s hopes to roll out delivery worldwide.
McDonald’s already does delivery from select locations through third parties like DoorDash and Postmates. The chain also plans to add some 25,000 of its locations to its upcoming mobile app with a mobile-order, in-store pickup option.
McDonald’s is a little late to the app-ordering party. Starbucks, Domino’s and Taco Bell already have popular digital payment options, especially with millennials (go figure).
But the fast-food giant is playing quick catchup. In addition to mobile ordering and delivery, McDonald’s is upping its in-store tech and planning to add self-service kiosk ordering, digital smart menu boards, custom-order options and even table service. It’s working toward rolling out these technology upgrades in all of its worldwide locations by the end of 2018. What a time to be alive.