As businesses expand globally, there is an increasing dependence on third-party logistics (3PLs)...
From order capture to timely delivery.
The global prepared meal market has achieved a valuation of $13.32 billion in 2023, experiencing impressive growth with a CAGR of 13.8%. As the meal delivery business continuously expands, customers increasingly seek quicker delivery times, with preferences ranging from 30-minute express deliveries to two-hour or same-day options. This shift reflects the evolving expectations of consumers, who prioritize convenience and speed when receiving their meals promptly and efficiently.
The shifting preference of consumers toward doorstep food deliveries over traditional brick-and-mortar buying has significantly transformed the operational landscape of the meal preparation industry. This changing pattern has pressured meal delivery apps to adapt & excel in response to evolving market demands.
To better accommodate the changing operational patterns of the meal prep industry, businesses are turning to technology. Gearing up your meal prep delivery business with an end-to-end dispatch management solution is an ideal approach for handling surges in order volumes with excellence. Here are a few reasons your meal prep business needs dispatch management software.
Rapid Order Allocation & Dispatch within Tight Timeframes
The meal preparation industry receives many orders throughout the day, with volumes spiking during meal times. Manual allocation of these orders to nearest drivers becomes a challenge for dispatchers, potentially leading to delays in meeting delivery timeframes. Moreover, overlapping delivery areas can increase operational costs, as two resources may work in the same area. This can lead to additional expenses for the business.
Implementing a dispatch management solution equips dispatchers to combat these daily challenges efficiently. It empowers them to rapidly capture, consolidate, and categorize orders based on delivery preferences and locations. Automated order allocation to the most suitable delivery agent allows businesses to manage operational costs while ensuring timely adherence to expected SLAs.
Optimizing Fleet Utilization to the Maximum Potential
In delivery operations associated with meal preparation businesses, the increase in order volumes along with tight delivery windows often demands heightened vehicle capacity. Ensuring timely and flawless delivery remains a persistent challenge for the meal prep industry. Operational blind spots frequently hinder businesses from fully optimizing their vehicle potential. This dilemma can either restrict operational volume or necessitate additional investments in expanding the fleet for existing operations.
However, integrating a dispatch system empowers dispatchers with the necessary real-time information about the operational aspects of every planned delivery. It provides end-to-end visibility, enabling businesses to strategically plan order dispatch based on vehicle capacity, delivery preferences, or specific vehicle conditions required for particular orders. This allows businesses to make data-driven decisions regarding fleet utilization, ultimately maximizing their fleet potential.
Also Read: Dispatch Management Software Features: An Ultimate Guide
Controlling Last-mile Delivery Costs
In the case of meal prep deliveries, the operational cost is unlikely to decline substantially, as the economics of last-mile delivery in the industry remain challenging, especially with the growing expectations for speed (typically, 30 minutes or less) and quality. Businesses are facing tight profit margins and finding it challenging to optimize operational costs, particularly in the face of a high surge in on-demand food delivery orders. The overhead costs, including idling costs and maintenance expenses, further complicate the ability of businesses to control their operational costs.
An efficiently optimized dispatch management platform can unlock businesses' logistics and operational requirements. The platform provides data-driven insights, highlighting key metrics that enable businesses to make smarter decisions. The dynamic routing of delivery routes, increased First Attempt Delivery Rate (FADR), and on-ground insights into deliveries in transit empower businesses to make informed decisions and consistently optimize their operations, reducing unexpected operational costs.
Offering Accurate Order Tracking to Customers
Modern customers desire a sense of autonomy over their orders, actively monitoring the progress from order placement to delivery. Many customers wish to convey additional delivery notes to the agents when ordering food, such as 'do not ring the bell' or 'leave the order at the doorstep. Dispatchers need to ensure that all provided instructions are diligently followed while executing the delivery. Additionally, customers expect real-time updates on the status of their orders.
Dispatch management simplifies the life of a dispatcher by providing customers with a real-time order tracking link for every order. This feature enables customers to share specific delivery instructions and minimizes the frequency of WISMO calls by offering ball-by-ball updates to the orders in transit.
Choosing the Right Dispatch Platform | DispatchOne
The golden rule of meal prep delivery is to deliver items on time and in the right condition. Delays in deliveries result in unhappy customers. An optimized dispatch plan empowers businesses to efficiently execute operational tasks by leveraging the full potential of available resources and vehicles.
As the transformations in dining habits continue to reshape the world, the implications for new and established businesses and consumers are still unfolding. Tapping and unlocking the opportunities arising from these changes demands a thorough understanding of where the market is headed and implementing the right amount of technology to follow the growth trajectory.
DispatchOne, a robust and scalable dispatch management solution, empowers businesses to execute efficient dispatch plans. The platform covers everything from capturing and consolidating orders from multiple sources to ensuring timely and route-compatible dispatch assignments for the most suitable drivers. For more information about the platform, feel free to get in touch with our experts.
