How QSRs can reduce (or completely ditch) third-party delivery fees and prepare for a new era of autonomous commerce

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The Status Quo:

Third-party delivery platforms are eating your margins. But what if your product could drive itself to customers, or they could send their own cars to pick it up?

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What's Changing:

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are rolling out in major U.S. cities. These aren’t just robotaxis, they’re personally owned vehicles that will be capable of running errands while their owners relax. And they will be showing up at your curb soon.

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What It Means for You:

QSRs can get ahead by enabling two key things:

• Direct Delivery: Your food, your brand, your (driverless) cars, your margins. No more 20–30% fees.
• Self-Delivery: Let customers send their own cars to pick up orders via curbside handoff, no humans required.
  
  

How to Get Ready:

• Designate pick-up/drop-off (PUDO) zones that work for AVs
  
• Digitally manage curbside flow to avoid congestion
• Stay ahead of the curve by owning the AV channel early