Tech & Science

Facebook officially launches its ‘Order Food’ app across U.S.

Published

October 13, 2017

Facebook is not directly competing with other food ordering services. Instead, they are partnering with existing services, including GrubHub, Delivery.com, DoorDash, ChowNow, Zuppler, EatStreet, Slice, and Olo, reports The Verge.

Facebook is also working directly with some restaurant chains, such as Jack in the Box, Five Guys, Papa John’s, Wingstop, TGI Friday’s, Denny’s, El Pollo Loco, Chipotle, Jimmy John’s, and Panera. The new option, “Order Food,” is easy to find in the Explore menu on the Facebook app.

After browsing a list of restaurants in your area, you can click “Start Order” when you decide what you want. Orders can be either take-out or delivery, and if you already have a Delivery.com account, you can use your existing login. If you don’t have one, Facebook says you can sign up right on the app.

Pizza

rob_rob2001/Flickr

The restaurant you choose will have to support one of Facebook’s ordering partners. If they do, you will be able to browse through the existing websites for Delivery.com and all the others. Once you choose one of the services, that is when the actual ordering takes place.

After placing your order and payment, a confirmation screen appears letting you now that you’ll also receive an email to confirm your order and a time frame for when it will be ready for pick-up or be delivered.

You’re really not doing all that much with the new Facebook app, but it is a convenience. Basically, the company is introducing an in-app browser so you can order a meal. And it is especially easy if you happen to already be on Facebook. You will also pay within Facebook, in an experience powered by either Delivery.com or Slice.

Hamburger

Media News

“We’ve been testing this since last year, and after responding to feedback and adding more partners, we’re rolling out everywhere in the US on iOS, Android, and desktop,” Alex Himel, Facebook’s VP of local, said in a press release. “People already go to Facebook to browse restaurants and decide where to eat or where to order food, so we’re making that easier.”

Of course, the “Order Food” app is an attempt to keep Facebook users inside its app for longer periods of time. The company has been rolling out several features with the same goal in mind, such as weather info, instant games, a jobs board, fundraisers, movie listings, booking appointments and getting quotes, and more.

In this article:deliverycom, Facebook, inapp browser, order food, Technology

Written By Karen Graham

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear friend Karen Graham, who served as Editor-at-Large at Digital Journal. She was 78 years old. Karen's view of what is happening in our world was colored by her love of history and how the past influences events taking place today. Her belief in humankind's part in the care of the planet and our environment has led her to focus on the need for action in dealing with climate change. It was said by Geoffrey C. Ward, "Journalism is merely history's first draft." Everyone who writes about what is happening today is indeed, writing a small part of our history.