How to Get More Orders on Uber Eats: Proven Strategies for Restaurants

Why Aren’t You Getting Many Orders?

So your restaurant's finally live on Uber Eats. Menu’s all set, your food’s legit tasty, prices are on point, and hey—you even get the occasional five-star review.

But… crickets.

Orders feel like they’re crawling in—or sometimes not even showing up at all. It’s like waiting for a customer who never shows up.

First off—breathe. You’re definitely not the only one going through this.

Lots of restaurant owners assume that the moment they get on Uber Eats, orders will start rolling in nonstop. But here’s the truth: it doesn’t work like magic.

Sometimes, it’s actually quieter than before you joined the app.

Now before you start questioning your food or thinking customers just aren’t into it—stop right there. It’s not about your food being bad. It’s not like folks are turned off by your brand or anything. It’s all about the system.

Uber Eats doesn’t just show off restaurants based on taste or good vibes. Nope. They’ve got a whole algorithm behind the scenes deciding which restaurants pop up front and center for customers—and that decision depends on a bunch of things: 

Performance. Speed. Ratings. Discounts. 

How often you update your profile and menu. Even how engaged you are with the app.

So if you’re not showing up in prime spots or converting visitors into actual orders... it’s probably not just you.

Chances are, you just haven’t figured out how to work the game yet.

That’s why we’re gonna walk through all of it right here—no fluff, just the stuff you really need.

• How the Uber Eats system actually works

• Why your restaurant might be invisible to hungry eyes

• And most importantly, what you can do to get more orders flowing in

We’re not here to throw theories at you—just real stuff you can actually put to work starting today. Stuff that’s already worked for tons of other restaurants.

Alright, let’s kick things off:

How does Uber Eats decide which restaurants show up first on a customer’s screen?

1. Ever wonder why some restaurants are always the first ones popping up on Uber Eats—while yours feels lost in the crowd? Let’s pull back the curtain.

You ever open the app, and it feels like the same few restaurants are always hogging the spotlight—meanwhile yours is nowhere to be seen? And meanwhile, your restaurant? Buried somewhere so far down, even you can’t find it.

Yeah, you’re not alone.

Uber Eats doesn’t just shuffle restaurants randomly. And no, it’s not just about who’s closest.

They’ve got this whole behind-the-scenes system that scores restaurants based on how they perform—kind of like a restaurant report card.

Here’s what actually moves the needle:

• Your Prep Time Game

How fast do you prep orders? Uber Eats loves speed—but only if it’s real.

Say you promise 10 minutes but keep customers waiting 30? The system notices.

It’s not about being lightning-fast, it’s about being reliable and honest. Better to say 25 and deliver in 20 than promise 10 and disappoint.

• Order Accuracy (Yep, They’re Watching)

When orders go out with mistakes—missing drinks, the wrong sides, or just mixed-up items—it sends a clear signal to Uber Eats that something’s off. Uber Eats tracks customer complaints and even driver feedback. Too many mess-ups? Down you go.

Nail the accuracy, and they’ll trust you more.

• Customer Feedback Still Rules

Your rating might not be flashing in neon lights, but trust me—Uber Eats keeps tabs on every score behind the scenes. Happy reviews—especially from first-time customers—give you a nice push up the ranks.

Bad ones that never get addressed? They pile up and quietly push you down.

• Your Menu & Photos (This One’s Underrated)

Messy menu? Boring dish names?Blurry food pics with weird lighting? Customers will scroll past like your menu doesn’t even exist. Customers won’t even click through.

But if your menu’s clean, clear, and your food looks drool-worthy? They’ll linger longer—and more time = more likely to order = higher rank.

• Are You Showing Up… Or Ghosting?

Uber Eats wants restaurants that show up.

Haven’t touched your menu in months? No new deals, no updates, nothing fresh? Uber Eats might assume you’ve left the building. They’ll assume you’re not serious.

Stay active, tweak your listings now and then, throw in a deal once in a while—that activity gets noticed.

• Top Eats Badge = VIP Status

When your restaurant keeps things tight—quick service, happy customers, barely any canceled orders—Uber Eats could reward you with their Top Eats badge. It's like their way of saying, “Yep, this place gets it right. ”Think of it like a digital high-five from Uber Eats—their way of saying, “This spot’s solid, let’s show it off.” And yep, it absolutely helps you show up right on people’s homepages.

What’s Uber Eats Really Looking At?

They’re not judging your food based on how tasty it is (because, let’s be real—they’ve never tasted it).

What they do measure? The overall experience you’re giving to customers.

So before expecting a flood of orders, make sure your back-end game is tight: prep, accuracy, reviews, photos, the whole package.

Don’t worry—we’ll walk through all these pieces together.

Next up: your menu. Is it actually pulling people in—or pushing them away?

2. Make Your Menu Pop—So People Actually Click and Order

Think of your menu like the front window of a store.

People don’t spend much time browsing—they open the app, glance at your menu, and decide in a flash whether to check you out or keep scrolling. If your menu’s confusing, dull, or packed with low-res food pics that look like they were taken in the dark... it’s a hard pass.

A lot of restaurants focus on cooking amazing food (which is awesome!), but totally forget to polish the one thing customers actually see first—the menu.

Spend a bit of time tidying up your menu—it might be the small tweak that turns random scrolls into real orders.

Use High-Quality Food Photos

No need to hire a fancy food photographer. Just make sure your photos are bright, clear, and mouth-watering.

Quick photo tips:

• Take your food pics by the window while the sun’s out—it’s the easiest way to make your dishes look fresh and drool-worthy

• Keep the background clean—no messy counters

• Don’t overload the shot with props—let the food shine

• Try snapping from a 45° angle or straight from above—whichever one makes your food look like it’s ready to jump off the screen

Real talk—good food pics can make all the difference. No one’s getting hungry over a plain list of words.

Write Clear, Crave-Worthy Menu Names & Descriptions

“Chicken with Rice” just doesn’t cut it. Get a little creative—paint a picture with your words so people can already taste it in their heads.

Example:

• ❌Fried Rice
• ✓ Special Fried Rice with Sunny-Side Egg & Spicy Shredded Chicken

Use words that tap into emotions and cravings: “crispy,” “melty,” “spicy kick,” “customer favorite,” and so on.

Don’t Overwhelm with a Giant Menu

Nobody wants to scroll through 100 items just to find dinner.

Break things into clean sections: Entrees, Drinks, Snacks, Top Picks, etc.

Stick to 10–20 solid items you know people love and you can consistently deliver.

Highlight Best-Sellers & Combos

Got 2 or 3 all-time favorites? Pin them right at the top.

You can also offer value bundles like:

• Rice Bowl + Drink + Snack
• Meals for Two
• End-of-the-Month Budget Deals

Meal combos are a sneaky-good way to bump up order totals while making folks feel like they scored a sweet deal.

Ditch Sold-Out Items

Running out of an item often? Just hide it from the menu for now.

Nothing’s more frustrating than trying to order something that’s unavailable. It leads to canceled orders, annoyed customers, and yeah—lower rankings on the app.

Your menu’s not just a list of dishes—it’s basically your restaurant’s hype man on Uber Eats.

Take time to make it look good, sound delicious, and feel organized. Truth is, just a few days of giving your menu some TLC can seriously move the needle on how many orders roll in.

Alright, now let’s peek behind the kitchen doors—’cause how fast and accurate you are can totally make or break your game.

3. Get Orders Right and Time It Tight—That’s How You Win on Uber Eats

Two things that get overlooked way too often on Uber Eats?

• Order accuracy and prep time. 

Sure, you might be thinking, “Come on, the food tastes great—that should be enough, right?”

• Thing is, Uber Eats isn’t judging your food by flavor—they can’t even take a bite.

What really shows up on their radar? How smooth the whole experience is for the customer.

To most people tapping that order button, it all boils down to two things—did they get what they asked for, and did it land on time?

Did they get the right order?

And… did it show up on time?

If you keep messing those up—late orders, wrong items, you name it—Uber’s system picks up on it. And the outcome?

• Your restaurant’s ranking takes a dive
• You show up less in the app
• Orders dry up

Let’s break it down.

Keep Orders Spot-On, Every Time

Nothing tanks your ratings faster than a wrong order.

Wrong drink, missing toppings, or worse—forgetting the main dish. Mess up once—even just a forgotten sauce—and that might be the last time that customer ever taps your menu.

Here’s how to step up your accuracy game:

• Use a printed checklist in the kitchen so your team can double-check everything
• Slap the order slip where everyone can see it—no more digging, no more “wait, what’s this?”
• Make it a habit to do one last double-check before that bag leaves your hands and heads out with the driver.
• Got a custom note like “no onions” or “extra sauce”? Make it loud and clear—your kitchen team shouldn’t have to squint to catch it.

One bad order could mean losing that customer for good.

Set a Realistic Prep Time—No Wishful Thinking

Some spots like to play it cool with a 5–10 minute prep time, but let’s be real—it usually takes more like 20. 

End result? The driver ends up stuck waiting, your customer’s getting impatient, and boom—you’re flagged by the system.

Fix it with these simple steps:

• Watch how long it *really* takes to prep your food over the week—no shortcuts, no pretending

• Adjust your prep time in the Uber Eats dashboard to reflect what’s actually happening in your kitchen—not what you *wish* was happening

• If your kitchen’s getting hammered with orders, no shame in adding extra prep time—better to breathe than break.

Most customers would rather wait 25 minutes and get it right—than be promised 15 and wait 35.

Why This Stuff Actually Matters

You don’t always see what Uber Eats is tracking behind the scenes, but trust me—it’s a lot:

• Percentage of late orders
• Cancelled orders due to mistakes
• Customer feedback on accuracy

When your numbers start slipping, the algorithm notices—and your visibility takes the hit. Simple as that.

But the good news? Being sharp with timing and accuracy boosts your performance—and keeps you showing up for hungry customers.

Bonus Tips to Keep You Ahead

• Use labels/stickers if you’re packing similar-looking meals
• Set up a separate line for online orders vs. dine-in orders
• Watch order flow in real-time using the Uber Eats Manager app—so you can catch delays before they snowball

Speed and precision aren’t for show—they’re the reason your kitchen stays busy and your name stays visible. They’re how you stay alive in Uber’s algorithm jungle. 

One late order might not raise alarms now—but the algorithm’s keeping score, and it remembers.

If your kitchen’s firing on all cylinders and your flow’s tight, it’s time to face the next beast—what people are saying about you after they eat.

4. Let’s Talk About Customer Ratings & Reviews—Yeah, That Part

Alright, let’s be real—ratings can drive you nuts.

You did everything right—hot food, on time, no mess—then you check the rating and it’s like… wait, what did I do wrong?

Or worse:

“No comment. No complaints. Just a cold, silent one-star.”

Yep, it happens more often than you'd think. Annoying as it is, your ratings still carry weight behind the scenes on Uber Eats. Sure, customers might not see your full scorecard—but Uber’s system definitely keeps tabs and uses it to size up your performance.

There’s an “Internal Score” Uber Tracks (Even If You Don’t See It)

Behind the scenes, Uber keeps a private checklist of things you’ll never see on your public profile, like:

• Your average customer rating

• Positive vs. negative review ratio

• How many folks actually leave feedback—and whether they’re hyping you up or throwing shade

• Whether you respond to that feedback—or ignore it

The better your internal score, the more likely you are to pop up in search results when customers go looking for food. Simple as that.

Bad Ratings Can Hit Hard—Especially Early On

Let’s be honest—one bad review can tank your score fast, especially if you’re still new and haven’t stacked up many orders yet.

Let’s say:

• You’ve had 10 orders
• Then boom—a 1-star review drops in
• Suddenly your average score takes a nosedive

That’s why it’s so important to deliver top-notch service right out the gate—from your very first order.

Easy ways to earn better reviews—no need to beg, just let the experience speak for itself.

Sure, you can’t just ask for five stars—but if you deliver a solid experience, customers will often drop a great review on their own.

Here’s what helps:

• Clean, tidy, thoughtful packaging

• Tiny personal touches—like a quick “thanks” or a fun “dig in!” note—can go a long way

• Don’t forget the small stuff—napkins, utensils, sauces, straws. These matter!

• Be on time—or better yet, early

• And never, ever send food that’s messy, leaking, or broken

How to Handle Negative Feedback (Without Flipping Tables)

Got a harsh review? Don’t ghost it. Don’t rage about it. Handle it like a pro.

Here’s the move:

• Check the order—was something actually wrong?

• Respond politely using the “Contact Support” feature

• If things seem off, you can always reach out to Uber for a second look—especially if it feels like the customer got the wrong idea

When you respond to reviews (even bad ones), it tells the system that you care and you’re actively trying to improve. That’s a very good signal.

Review the Reviews—Weekly

Don’t wait until your numbers tank before you start paying attention.

Take a minute each week to check in on your numbers and see if anything’s slipping—or shining.

• Are your ratings trending up or down?
• Do the same complaints keep popping up?
• Is one menu item getting all the heat?

Based on that, maybe it’s time to tweak your packaging, retrain your team, or even switch up the menu a little. Stay ahead of the curve.

Bottom Line on Ratings

Ratings aren’t just digits—they help shape where and how often your place shows up on the Uber Eats app.

If you consistently deliver quality and treat customers right, they’ll repay you with good vibes—and good reviews. You won’t even have to ask.

Alright, now that we’ve got ratings under control… let’s dive into promos and discounts to get even more people clicking and ordering.

5. Use Promos the Smart Way—Not Just the Trendy Way

Let’s be real—everyone loves a good deal.

For your customers, a promo might be all it takes to click “Order Now.”

But for you as a merchant? It’s a bit more complicated.

• Promos are kinda like fire: Use them the wrong way? You burn your profits.

• Use them right? Orders pick up, your place starts getting noticed, and folks are way more likely to come back for seconds.

The trick with Uber Eats? Don’t just copy what others are doing—use promos with strategy.

How Uber Eats Promos Actually Work

There are a few promo types you can turn on through your Uber Eats Manager dashboard:

• Flat discounts (like 20% off everything)
• Free delivery
• When customers spend a bit more—say $25—they get a nice $5 shaved off the total. Simple, but super effective
• New customer-only promos
• Buy 1 Get 1 Free

You’re in control—you decide the timing, the max redemptions, who sees it, and what the conditions are.

When’s the Right Time to Run Promos?

Not every day is promo day.

Be intentional. Think about using promos when they’ll actually make a difference:

• You know that dead zone—when lunch is ancient history and dinner’s still a rumor? It’s that odd little gap in the day where you’ve got the stage to yourself—no noise, no rush, just you setting the pace while others are still tying their aprons.

• Whipping up something new—maybe a bold dish or a full-on menu shakeup? That’s your cue to spark some buzz with a promo

• On weekends or public holidays

• After a bad review (to win customers back)

• Any day that gets people hyped—be it heart-shaped chocolate season, zombie costumes, or championship madness—is your golden ticket to drop a promo that actually turns heads

Use promos to create momentum—not to run your kitchen nonstop.

Test Before You Go All-In

Don’t just throw out discounts and hope for the best. Test small.

Try one promo for 3–5 days, then check:

• Are your orders going up?
• Are customers spending more, or less?
• Are you attracting new faces?
• Are they coming back?

If the answer’s “meh,” scrap it and try a new angle.

Don’t stick with a promo that drains your margins but brings in zero real value.

Play It Safe—Don’t Let Promos Eat Your Profits

Here’s how to stay in control:

• Set a max number of discounted orders per day
• Skip promos on low-margin items
• Make promo items pop—add “20% Off” or “Best Seller” to the item name or photo
• Use appetizing, high-quality food images

Bottom line: promos should boost orders without wrecking your bottom line.

Promo Mistakes to Avoid

• Running promos non-stop until your customers expect them every time
• Offering crazy-big discounts without crunching the numbers
• Not reviewing your promo’s performance
• Having boring or unclear menus even when promos are on (spoiler alert: people still won’t order)

Real talk—no discount’s gonna save you if your pics look like mugshots, your menu reads like a puzzle, or your service moves at snail speed. Clean that up first, then drop promos.

Wrapping It Up

Think of promos like gasoline.

Hit that sweet timing, throw a little spark into the mix, and suddenly—you’re not following the playbook, you’re writing your own menu. But if you flood the engine? You’ll stall out.

And once you’ve got your promo game on lock, it’s time to aim higher—like qualifying for Uber Eats’ Top Eats program.

That’s their elite badge that helps you stand out even more in the app. Let’s get you there.

Join the “Top Eats” Program on Uber Eats (If You’re Eligible)

Ever seen that little “Top Eats” label on a restaurant in the Uber Eats app? That’s not just for show—it’s a special badge given only to restaurants with top performance.

The good news?

If you qualify, you’ll see the impact fast:

•  Your restaurant shows up higher in search results

• First-time customers tend to feel more confident giving your place a try.

• Once things click, orders will roll in on their own—no need to toss out desperate discounts just to get noticed.

What Is “Top Eats”?

Top Eats is Uber Eats’ way of spotlighting restaurants that keep things sharp across the board—fast, reliable, and customer-approved.

• Fast service
• Accurate orders
• High customer ratings
• Low cancellation rates

If you’ve been taking care of all those things (especially from point 1 to 6), you’re already halfway there.

Basic Requirements for Top Eats

Uber Eats doesn’t share an official checklist, but based on what other merchants and the community have shared, here’s what usually matters:

• At least a 4.8 out of 5 customer rating
• Fast and consistent prep times
• Low cancellation rate (less than 1%)
• Few to no complaints about wrong or missing items
• Active on promos, regularly updating the menu, and responding quickly

Uber usually evaluates your performance every month. If your numbers drop, you can lose the status too.

Main Benefits of Joining Top Eats

• Priority placement on the customer’s homepage
• Higher click-through rates
• More trust from customers—they know your restaurant is “proven”
• Daily orders can double or even triple without needing discounts
• Especially for new users, the “Top Eats” badge often helps them decide where to order

How to Know If You’re Being Considered

You can’t apply directly, but you can check your performance through:

• Uber Eats Manager dashboard
• Weekly performance reports
• Notifications from Uber (email or in-dashboard banners)

If you qualify, you’ll usually get a notice saying you’ve been added to Top Eats for that month.

Tips to Work Toward Top Eats (If You’re Not There Yet)

• Make those first few orders of the day count—get them out quick and nailed down perfectly
• Get your crew on the same page so they deliver steady results no matter the shift
• Only show what you actually have—no one likes ordering something that’s not even in the kitchen
• Run smart, reasonable promotions
• Respond quickly to customer reviews or issues through the dashboard

Many small restaurants have made it into Top Eats within just 1–2 months, as long as their performance stays solid.

Top Eats isn’t just for big restaurants. Even the tiniest spot can score that badge—as long as you keep things running smooth and solid.

Trying to boost your orders without slashing prices all the time? Top Eats could be your quickest way up.

7. Give Your Restaurant Profile a Little Love

Think of your Uber Eats profile like your online storefront.

If it looks outdated, messy, or half-finished, customers are gonna wonder:

 “Is this place even still open?”

The truth? A lot of restaurant owners are so deep in the kitchen hustle, they forget to tidy up their digital presence. But here’s the thing—your profile could be the reason someone clicks “Order Now” or scrolls right past you.

Let’s fix that.

Make That Logo and Banner Pop

Your logo should be clean and sharp—not pixelated or blurry.

And if you can, throw in a banner or a nice shot of your restaurant. Something that makes people feel good about ordering from you.

Avoid dark, fuzzy, or chaotic photos.

People scroll fast—you’ve got seconds to make a good impression. Use them wisely.

Keep Your Business Hours Accurate

This one gets missed all. the. time.

Classic mistakes:

• You’re closed, but your Uber Eats says “Open”
• You forget to update hours after a holiday
• Someone orders while you’re shut down, and boom—cancelled order, bad rating

Easy fix:

Check your hours weekly. Make sure they actually reflect when you're open for real.

 And if you’re closing for something special—like holidays, repairs, or a quick break—update that too.

Match Your Profile Info Across Platforms

If you’re posting on socials like TikTok, Insta, or Google, double-check that your details line up across the board. Different info in different places? That’s how you confuse customers and lose trust.

We're talking:

• Same restaurant name
• Same hours
• Same menu (or close enough)
• A working phone number, if you list one

Consistency builds trust. It gives people that quick “yep, this is definitely the place” moment—no second-guessing, no mixed signals.

Don’t Skip the “About” Section

Your description is free marketing—use it!

Tell people what makes your food awesome:

• “Authentic comfort food made with local ingredients”
• “Handmade pasta, cooked with love”
• “Vegan-friendly, bold flavors, halal options available”

Keep it friendly, but professional. No caps lock shouting, please.

Here’s a sample:

“Classic home-cooked meals, packed with bold flavor, spicy sambal, and generous portions. A local favorite since 2018.”

See? Relaxed, easy to read, and enough to make your stomach growl before you even scroll down.

Say Goodbye to Old, Empty Menu Items

This happens way too often—restaurants update their menu, but forget to delete items that are no longer available.

Dead menu items = bad vibes

A customer hits ‘order’ thinking everything’s set—then suddenly, the item’s MIA. They tap ‘order’ thinking they’re good to go—then boom, item’s missing. Next thing you know, they’re outta there, and your sale? Gone with the wind.

That leads to:

• Disappointed customers
• Lower ratings
• Fewer repeat orders
• Uber Eats thinking your service is unreliable

Quick tip: Check your live menu every week. If you’re not selling something, turn it off. Simple.

Wrap-Up

Your profile is your first impression.

If that part looks messy, customers will assume the food is too—and they won’t give you a chance to prove them wrong.

Spare 15 minutes once a week to tidy up your profile—it’s like wiping your storefront window. Takes no time, but makes people actually stop and look. It might just earn you dozens of extra orders with barely any effort.

Alright, your profile’s polished—now let’s talk numbers. Because at the end of the day, guessing won’t grow your orders… but data will.

8. Start Using the Data from Uber Eats Manager—Seriously, It Helps

Most restaurant owners? They’re out here making moves based on vibes and instincts alone—no judgment, but there’s a smarter way to roll. But hey—Uber Eats already gives you a goldmine of real data through the Uber Eats Manager dashboard.

Once you get the hang of it, this dashboard isn’t just numbers—it’s like having a behind-the-scenes look at how your restaurant’s really doing. You’ll be able to:

• Spot your busiest hours
• Find out which menu items are flopping
• Test your promos like you’re flipping switches in a lab—then watch the numbers spill the truth. What’s making cash? What’s just wasting sauce and screen space? Now you’ll know.
• Optimize your kitchen without wasting time or cash

First Things First: Meet Uber Eats Manager

Uber Eats Manager ain’t just some dashboard—it’s the war room where every menu tweak, prep delay, and angry review shows up in full color. If you're ignoring it, you're flying blind. It lays everything bare—what’s crushing it, what’s coasting, and what’s secretly falling to pieces while you’re out front trying to keep the chaos under control.

From this dashboard, you can:

• Track your restaurant’s performance stats
• Monitor key metrics like: total orders, ratings, prep times, and cancellations
• Edit your menu, hours, and promos
• Read customer feedback
• Download weekly reports

Never opened it before? Just go to https://restaurant.uber.com.

First time diving in? Do yourself a favor—pull it up on a laptop. No tiny screens, no endless thumb gymnastics—just the full view, loud and clear.

The Key Metrics You Should Actually Care About

Don’t get overwhelmed by all the numbers.

Just focus on the essentials:

• Orders & Revenue (daily/weekly)

 → Are things going up, or slowing down? Spot the patterns.

• Average Prep Time

 → Getting faster or slipping lately?

• Cancellation Rate

 → Try to keep it under 1%. If it’s higher, it’s time to dig in.

• Top vs. Bottom Menu Items

 → What’s selling like hotcakes? What’s just collecting digital dust?

• Peak Hours

 → So you can prep your team and focus your energy when it counts.

Make Smart Moves Based on Real Data—Not Hunches

Here’s what that looks like in action:

• Noticed your Grilled Chicken with Green Chili Sauce sells 5x more than anything else?

 → Move it to the top of your menu and upload a drool-worthy photo.

• Prep times suddenly spiked this week?

 → Check the kitchen: Got new staff? Running low on supplies?

• Cancellation rate creeping up?

 → Look for patterns: Is a certain item always out of stock? Orders running late?

Once you make a habit of checking the numbers, you’re not stuck playing the guessing game—you’ll actually know what’s going on behind the scenes. You’ll be a step ahead of the competition before they even realize what’s up.

Let’s break it down real simple—no tech talk, no spreadsheet nightmares. Just the easiest way to make your data spill the tea on what’s really going on.

• Kick off your Monday with a quick 15-minute check-in—just you, your coffee, and that dashboard telling you what really went down last week
• Grab that weekly report, pass it around the team, and chat through what worked, what flopped, and what needs a little extra love
• Flag anything that needs attention (like low-rated dishes or peak-time rushes)
• Use what you find to plan sharper promos for the coming week

Think of data like a mirror.

If you’re checking it often, you’ll always know what needs fixing.

The most successful restaurant owners?

They’re not just great cooks—they’re smart decision-makers who know how to read the numbers.

9. Get Your Team on Board with Delivery Goals

Let’s be real—you can’t run this delivery game solo.

Everything we’ve covered so far—menu tweaks, speed, accuracy, customer reviews—none of it matters if your team’s not in it with you. Especially if you’ve got a dine-in crowd to juggle too. For a lot of restaurants, online orders feel like a side hustle… and that’s where trouble starts.

If your team treats delivery like an annoying add-on, don’t be surprised when orders come out wrong, late, or just plain sloppy.

Help your team see that delivery isn’t just about boxing up meals—it’s how your restaurant makes a first impression in someone’s home

This isn’t just another item on the to-do list—how your team handles delivery says a lot about what kind of place you really run.

Let your team know:

• Delivery is your restaurant’s digital face
• Online customers can turn into regulars.
• Bad ratings on Uber Eats = less money for everyone.

Start with a quick daily huddle:

“Alright team—today we’re going for zero mistakes. Pay extra attention to those delivery tickets—they deserve just as much care as dine-in. Got any special requests? Mark ’em big and bold!”

Set Up a Clear SOP Just for Delivery

Keep dine-in and delivery paths separate so things don’t get chaotic.

A basic workflow might look like this:

• Online order comes in → print it, label it
• Prep packaging (utensils, napkins, sauces, all that).
• Give each order a solid once-over before it heads out—make sure it looks good and delivers the kind of care your place is known for
• Got a special request? Have two people double-check it (like “no spice” or “allergy alert”).

With a tight SOP, everyone knows what to do—no guesswork, no drama.

Set some easy-to-follow goals and check in regularly to see how everyone’s holding up

Try stuff like:

• Let’s challenge ourselves to get every order prepped in under 12 minutes, day in and day out this week—think we can pull it off?
• “No wrong orders for three days straight.”
• Let’s try bumping our Uber Eats rating up by just 0.1 this week—small move, big impact

Set goals that are clear, easy to track, and realistic enough to actually hit.

At the end of the week, check in with the team:

• Celebrate wins (even small ones)
• Talk through what went wrong (without finger-pointing)
• Adjust the game plan for next week

Toss in little perks every time the team crushes a goal—it keeps the energy up

You don’t need a big budget to build team spirit. Try:

• Free snacks
• A little weekly bonus
• Letting folks leave a bit early
• Meal vouchers for your own spot

It’s the consistency that counts. Even tiny rewards can keep the kitchen and FOH team motivated to treat delivery like a priority, not a chore.

Drop Visual Reminders Around the Kitchen

Stuff like:

• Posters that say: “Delivery Orders = Our Rating”
• Hanging checklists for Uber Eats orders
• Create a special station just for delivery orders—it helps keep things organized when the kitchen’s going full throttle

Remind everyone, every day: delivery isn’t the side gig. Restaurants that thrive in delivery usually have teams that take online orders seriously—like they’re just as important as any table in the house.

Delivery’s a Team Sport

It’s not just your job as the owner or manager to care about delivery. If you want smoother ops and stronger reviews, your whole crew needs to be rowing in the same direction.

Daily huddles, clear SOPs, little incentives—they all stack up to something big over time.

Once your team’s in sync, that’s when you can start thinking long-term: experimenting with new strategies, tracking advanced metrics, and leveling up across the board.

10. Keep Testing & Tweak Things Regularly

So you’ve nailed your menu, got your team on point, your ratings are holding steady—nice. But now it’s time to level up. Welcome to the world of experimentation.

Because here’s the truth: the delivery game changes fast. Trends shift, customer cravings evolve. If you stay stuck on the same playbook, you’ll get left behind.

The restaurants that win? Winning in this game isn’t about getting it all right from the start—it’s about staying flexible, trying out bold ideas, and not being afraid to course-correct along the way.

Try Swapping Out Menu Photos, Names, or Descriptions

Sometimes all it takes is a better name to boost clicks.

Example:

•  ❌ Spicy Fried Chicken
•  ✅ Golden Crunch Chicken Drenched in Spicy Red Glaze

Or maybe your food photos could use some love—brighter lighting, tighter focus, more “OMG I need that” vibes

Start small. Pick 1 or 2 items, update the photo or title, and let them run for 5–7 days.

Then check the data—did clicks go up? Orders? If yes, roll that change out to more items.

Run Your Own A/B Tests

This might sound fancy, but it's actually super simple—and super effective.

Let’s say you’ve got two versions of a similar dish.

Try giving each version its own flavor—maybe a punchier title, a different photo angle, or a reworded description that sets it apart. Then see which one pulls more orders.

Here’s a sample test:

• Jumbo Chicken Combo vs Super Saver Chicken Box

• Big Bite for Two vs Lovebirds’ Loaded Platter

Uber Eats doesn’t give you an official A/B testing tool, but who cares? Just set it up yourself through the dashboard and keep an eye on how each version performs—it’s easier than it sounds.

Add Seasonal or Limited-Time Menus

People notice when there’s something new on the menu—but say it won’t be around for long, and suddenly everyone wants a taste before it’s gone.

Try things like:

• Holiday-themed menus (Ramadan, Christmas, Halloween)
• Limited edition weekend specials
• Weekday lunch combos just for the 9–5 crowd

These keep your restaurant feeling fresh and give customers a reason to come back just to see what’s new.

Ask for Direct Feedback from Customers

Don’t just wait around hoping for reviews in the app.

Sneak a little QR code onto your packaging that links to:

• A short Google Form
• Your WhatsApp Business
• Your Instagram DMs

Ask quick questions like:

• “Did you enjoy the food?”
• “Got any suggestions for us?”
• “Would you order again if we offered a discount?”

When customers respond, you get real feedback—and fast. No guesswork. Just raw, honest insights you can act on.

Make Weekly Check-Ins a Habit

Set aside time every week to go over all your tests and tweaks. Ask yourself:

• What worked? → Double down on it
• What flopped? → Figure out why
• What’s next to try next week?

Don’t wait for things to slow down before you start fixing what’s broken. Regular check-ins keep you agile, alert, and one step ahead of everyone else.

Because here’s the deal—strategy isn’t “set it and forget it.” 

What killed it last week might totally flop next month.

That’s why you gotta keep experimenting, tracking results, and making calls based on real-world data—not just vibes.

Even tiny tests can lead to big wins... as long as you stay curious, pay attention, and roll with what works.

Closing: Start Small, Watch Closely, Grow Steadily

If you’ve hung on till now, it says a lot—you’re in this for real. You’re not just slinging food; you actually want to grow, get more orders, and level up your brand on Uber Eats.

But here’s the deal:

Crushing it on Uber Eats isn’t about instant buzz or chasing viral moments. It’s about staying consistent.

The ones who win? They’re not the ones who explode in a day.

They’re the ones who:

• Tweak their menus and photos, one step at a time
• Fix prep times and tighten up order accuracy
• Check performance every single week
• Get their team on board, all in the same direction
• Test out small promos or tweaks—then take a real look at what’s working and what’s not.
• Scroll through your numbers, really hear what the reviews are saying, and let all that info guide your next move.

Start small.

• Change up a menu name
• Drop in a tiny thank-you card or sticker—something small that makes the order feel a little more personal
• Update your hours
• Run one simple promo
• Give the team a 5-minute huddle.

And you’ll start to feel the shift:

• More orders
• Higher ratings
• Customers who keep coming back
• And guess what? You don’t have to burn money on nonstop promos to get there.

Ready to Get on Your Customers’ Radar?

Customers are like Wi-Fi—they pick up on restaurants that are active, polished, and offer a solid experience... even through a screen.

And now? You’ve got all the tools you need to be that restaurant.

So starting today—treat delivery like your front-of-house. Make your delivery customers feel spoiled, appreciated, and seen. When you treat delivery like a real part of your biz, the orders keep rolling in.