OFF-PREMISE DINING - POPULAR AND PROFITABLE

The popularity of off-premise dining is not in doubt. The evidence continues to grow showing it is also profitable.

Nearly all the major restaurant chains have made a push in to the off-premise dining sector. This was partly to increase sales and profits and partly to avoid their competitors getting an advantage.

Some CEOs and owners were early converts and believers, while others expressed concerns about the long-term profitability of the move and whether it would cannibalize existing sales, meaning it would simply move a portion of existing in-house dining off-premise.

But any remaining resistance is being worn down by mounting evidence that delivery can generate truly incremental sales and profits. Regular readers of this site will have seen dozens of reports from chains showing sales and profits from delivery and off-premise dining growing.

The latest confirmation comes from the new CEO of Outback Steakhouse parent Bloomin’ Brands, who stated the facts simply and succinctly on a recent conference call with analysts. On the subject of delivery he remarked, “This business is profitable” and “reaching scale.”

GOOGLE ADDS ORDER FEATURE

Google has just added an "Order Delivery" feature.

Google just announced a new food ordering feature making the already easy task of ordering online, even easier. According to the company press release:

"Starting today, we’re making it even easier to get food delivered to your doorstep.

Find food and order faster

Now you can use Google Search, Maps or the Assistant to order food from services like DoorDash, Postmates, Delivery.com, Slice, and ChowNow, with Zuppler and others coming soon. Look out for the “Order Online” button in Search and Maps when you search for a restaurant or type of cuisine. For participating restaurants, you can make your selections with just a few taps, view delivery or pickup times, and check out with Google Pay.

Let the Google Assistant handle dinner

To use the Assistant on your phone to get your food fix, simply say, “Hey Google, order food from [restaurant].” You can also quickly reorder your go-to meal with some of our delivery partners by saying, “Hey Google, reorder food from [restaurant].” The Assistant pulls up your past orders, and in just a few seconds, you can select your usual dish."

How long do you think it will be before technology just takes over for us entirely. Siri or Google assistant or Alexa will just tell us they ordered food for us based on our previous order patterns, tastes and times we were hungry!

Finally! A Taco Bell Hotel

Taco Bell will launch a limited time hotel in Palm Spring in 2019!

Taco Bell Hotel - Coming Soon

Since we cannot find the words...we will just go ahead and share some of the press release!

A TACOASIS RESORT OF FOOD, FUN AND ALL THINGS TACO BELL AWAITS FANS IN PALM SPRINGS

Get ready for “Bell”hops and Baja Blasts, fire sauce and sauce packet floaties, because the Taco Bell Hotel is coming and will give fans an unexpected and unforgettable trip of a lifetime. Beginning August 9 for a limited time, doors will open at The Bell: A Taco Bell Hotel and Resort in Palm Springs, California, making fans’ dreams come true with an immersive way to celebrate the best of the brand.

From check-in to check-out, The Bell: A Taco Bell Hotel and Resort reimagines what a hotel stay can be, unveiling a destination inspired by tacos and fueled by fans. Everything from guest rooms to breakfast and poolside cocktails will be infused with a Taco Bell twist, making this the flavor-filled getaway of 2019.

A not-to-miss gift shop will offer exclusive apparel to spice up fans’ summer style. Guests can also stop by the on-site salon for Taco Bell-inspired nail art, fades and a braid bar. And whether it’s daily happier hour or saucy snacks, The Bell: A Taco Bell Hotel and Resort will deliver beloved iconic flavors and introduce new menu surprises only available at the hotel.

“The Bell stands to be the biggest expression of the Taco Bell lifestyle to date. It will be fun, colorful, flavorful and filled with more than what our fans might expect,” said Taco Bell’s Chief Global Brand Officer Marisa Thalberg. “Also, just like some of our most sought-after food innovation, this hotel brings something entirely new for lucky fans to experience and enjoy.”

Taco Bell, a Southern California-based brand founded by Glen Bell in 1962, chose iconic Palm Springs as the ideal resort destination for its next hospitality venture. Reservations will open in June and those eager to learn more about how to score a room at this “tacoasis” in the desert can head over HERE to stay up to date with announcements on this experience meant for Taco Bell super-fans 18+.

Ok, now we have had time to think about this and use our journalistic skills to formulate an important question....WHY?