Slice vs DoorDash: Which is Best for a Restaurant Business?

Slice vs DoorDash- Which is best for a Restaurant Business

The online food delivery industry continues to thrive as customers prioritize convenience, variety, and speed. The rapid growth in online ordering has transformed dining into a seamless digital experience. So, what do customers value most in an online food delivery service? Below are the features that attract consumers to restaurant delivery apps:

  • Convenient Ordering: Thanks to advanced technology, restaurants now offer online platforms where customers can browse menus, choose their favorite dishes, and order with just a few clicks. This convenience is necessary in today’s fast-paced world.
  • Mobile Accessibility: With over 3 billion smartphone users globally, mobile apps for restaurants have become a staple. Customers can order from a wide variety of restaurants and cuisines using mobile apps without any hassle.
  • Order Accuracy: Customers appreciate the accuracy of orders made through delivery apps, which reduces misunderstandings regarding items or delivery locations.

Since the rise of food delivery apps around 2011, companies like DoorDash and Slice have capitalized on consumer demand. Between Slice vs. DoorDash, both have distinctive offerings but appeal to different audiences.

Overview of Industry Giants: DoorDash vs. Slice

 

logo of DoorDash

 

 

DoorDash

DoorDash, one of the largest food delivery platforms, specializes in restaurant takeout and grocery delivery, operating widely in North America and Australia. Its popularity surged during the COVID-19 lockdowns. While coming with flexible income opportunities for drivers, DoorDash also boasts user-friendly features but comes with certain limitations:

Pros:

  • User-friendly app
  • Accurate consumer location data before acceptance
  • Detailed delivery information
  • Easy order management and decent referral bonuses

Cons:

  • The high volume of small orders
  • Limited driver orientation
  • No mileage pay and delayed initial pay
  • High cash-out fees and small insulated bags

Slice

Slice stands out as a food-ordering online platform supporting small, independent pizzerias. While larger pizza chains have in-house delivery, smaller pizzerias benefit from Slice’s low commission rates, which help them keep costs down. The platform’s commitment to supporting local businesses has led to its significant adoption.

Pros:

  • Lower commissions for pizzerias
  • Partnership with local pizzerias
  • Transparent pricing with no hidden charges

Cons:

  • Limited to pizza delivery
  • No membership program

Delivery Operations and Features

 

logo of Slice

 

Slice’s Delivery Model

Slice presents a comprehensive solution for small pizza businesses by handling digital marketing, order logistics, and even website management. While most of Slice’s partners already have in-house drivers, Slice also partners with DoorDash for delivery in some areas, guaranteeing fair delivery rates for local restaurants.

Stats and Reach:

  • Operates in all 50 states with over 19,000 pizzerias
  • Offers a restaurant-friendly flat fee of $3 per order

DoorDash’s Versatile Options

DoorDash allows both delivery and pickup orders, presenting options like group orders, planned deliveries, and a DashPass subscription for free deliveries on eligible orders. With features like activity tracking, delivery management, and customizable reports, DoorDash brings robust support for restaurants.

Unique Features

Slice: Tailored for Independent Pizzerias

Slice is designed specifically for local pizza shops, helping them streamline their operations and attract customers by bringing robust tech solutions. Here’s a breakdown of how Slice supports independent pizzerias:

  • Online and App Ordering: Slice enables both web and mobile app ordering, making it easy for pizzerias to reach customers wherever they are.
  • Built-in Loyalty Program: Slice’s loyalty program encourages repeat business, allowing restaurants to maintain relationships with regular customers.
  • Slice Marketing: The platform handles advertising for restaurants, aiming to boost visibility and drive orders.
  • 24/7 Support and Dedicated Success Manager: Slice offers round-the-clock assistance and assigns a dedicated manager to help pizzerias with business growth.
  • Website Creation: For pizzerias without a web presence, Slice has tools to create a dedicated restaurant website.

DoorDash: Comprehensive Food Delivery for All

DoorDash serves a broader range of restaurants and comes with flexible delivery and pickup options for customers. Key features of DoorDash include:

  • Pickup and Delivery Options: DoorDash allows users to place pickup orders in addition to delivery, helping them save on delivery fees.
  • Group Order and Scheduled Delivery: Group ordering lets multiple users add items to a shared cart, while scheduled deliveries make planning ahead easy.
  • DashPass Subscription: DoorDash’s DashPass gives a free delivery option for orders above a certain amount, making regular orders more affordable.
  • Advanced Tracking and Reporting Tools: DoorDash brings analytics and delivery tracking for restaurants, supporting them with insights into customer history and trends.

Cost Comparison

Slice

Slice charges significantly lower fees than larger platforms, making it affordable for small businesses. Pizzerias pay a flat fee for orders, with packages like:

  • Slice Essentials: $2.80/order, free for orders under $12
  • Slice Premium: $2.40/order, with additional marketing support
  • Slice Complete: $69/month with a POS system designed for pizzerias

Besides the tiered pricing structure to meet the needs of all pizzerias, Slice also shows transparency on their service fees and pricing structures:

  • Eliminated Fees for Small Orders: Slice has removed fees for smaller orders, generally those under $12, to support local pizzerias, enabling them to keep a higher portion of earnings.
  • Flat Fee Structure: Slice charges a low, flat fee to restaurants, passing as much revenue as possible to the restaurant, which helps smaller businesses increase their profits. No extra “small order” fees, which often increase customer costs on other platforms.

DoorDash

DoorDash charges a delivery fee based on restaurant location and demand, with additional fees like a service fee and a small order fee. Tipping is encouraged as Dashers often rely on tips for supplemental income.

  • Service Fee: DoorDash charges a service fee of around 12%-15% on the order subtotal, though this may vary by region and demand.
  • Small Order Fee: For orders that don’t reach the minimum subtotal (around $12, though it varies), DoorDash imposes a small order fee of approximately $3.
  • Breakdown of Fees: DoorDash transparently lists all fees and taxes, accessible through a “fees and estimated tax” item in the checkout process.

Payment Methods

Slice

Offers an in-house payment system that enables restaurants to cash out daily, providing faster payouts than many other platforms.

DoorDash

  • Accepts credit and debit cards and stores them for seamless future purchases. Some national chain perks may also be applied through the platform.

Unique Offerings and Customer Experience

Slice:

  • Local Pizzeria Focus: Slice is designed to prioritize local, independent pizzerias, providing a platform where small pizza businesses can compete with large chains.
  • Payment Flexibility: Slice has multiple secure payment options, including credit cards, Google Pay, PayPal, and Apple Pay.
  • Real-Time Pizza Tracking: Customers can track their orders from start to delivery using the Slice app.
  • Promotions and Exclusive Deals: Because Slice partners directly with the pizzerias, customers can access exclusive deals without the hidden costs often found in third-party apps.

DoorDash:

  • Wide Reach and Fast Delivery: DoorDash is known for its extensive delivery network, reaching more areas than Slice, which primarily focuses on specific markets.
  • Pickup and Delivery Options: DoorDash supports both pickup and delivery, enabling customers to save on delivery fees if they prefer to pick up their orders.
  • Group Orders and Scheduling: DoorDash offers group orders with shared cart links and allows orders to be scheduled up to four days in advance, adding convenience for customers planning meals.

Why Small Restaurants Prefer Slice Over DoorDash

For small pizzerias, the main draw to Slice over DoorDash is its restaurant-friendly fee structure. With no minimum order fees and a low flat rate, Slice lets local pizzerias keep more profit, unlike DoorDash’s percentage-based service fee, which may cut deeper into the restaurant’s revenue. Slice’s exclusive focus on pizza and specific meal categories also guarantees a targeted customer base, which often leads to more loyal patrons.

Slice is an ideal choice for pizzerias or niche-specific restaurants looking to maintain higher margins and benefit from an app tailored to their needs. It fosters close partnerships with restaurants and does not impose additional small-order fees, which can be beneficial for smaller operations.

DoorDash, with its vast delivery network, is better suited to regular grocery and restaurants wanting to reach a broad audience. Its percentage-based service fee and additional options (like pickup and DashPass) offer flexibility but come at a higher cost to small businesses.

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