Postmates customers can get their Shake Shack delivered free this week.
The San Francisco-based delivery service on Monday said it would deliver Shake Shack for free across 17 U.S. markets this week, through Sunday. The service promises to deliver Shackburgers and other products in 35 minutes or less.
For Shake Shack, the collaboration is temporary. The chain, which operates more than 90 U.S. locations, has been carefully testing delivery in recent months, using various delivery services. The New York City-based fast-casual burger chain does not have an exclusive, permanent deal with any specific provider.
In September and October, for instance, the company tested delivery with services DoorDash and Caviar.
Yet it’s clear that Shake Shack and its CEO, Randy Garutti, have high hopes for delivery as a way to expand its restaurants’ reach.
“It’s very clear people want delivery,” Garutti said in November. “We are working patiently to make sure we continue to test and learn and see who the best partner or partners, depending on the region.”
Postmates was launched in 2011 and currently delivers in more than 250 cities. The service typically charges customers a flat $3.99 service fee for its “partner merchants.” The company also offers an unlimited, $9.99 per month subscription.
Delivery is one of the biggest trends in the restaurant industry. Numerous chains, from the giant quick-service burger chains McDonald’s and Wendy’s to upscale casual concepts like Cheesecake Factory, are working on adding the service to their restaurants nationwide.
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