Ballina has become the latest battleground in the global food delivery wars, with Doordash officially launching its service this week.

The US-based multinational has signed up 27 local outlets for the launch, ranging from high-end favourite Che Bon to fast-food chains like McDonald’s and KFC.

Italian, Indian, sushi and a wide range of local cafés are also on the list.

Six Lennox Head eateries have already joined, while homes in Lennox and Skennars Head can also order from Ballina outlets.   

The rollout also includes Byron Bay and Casino, although at this stage, Alstonville and Wollongbar are not covered.  Lismore and Goonellabah have also been left out.

Taking on Uber Eats

Doordash enters a market where Uber Eats has operated for several years, with mixed results.

Uber has much the same roster of restaurants and cafés, plus supermarket groceries and liquor deliveries.

But in Ballina, customers have complained the service has struggled in the past with driver shortages, with the limited pool of Uber drivers preferring higher-paying passenger trips.

Doordash is attempting to win over both customers and food providers and says it’s confident it has a big enough driver pool to ensure a good customer experience from launch.

Special terminals have been installed in food outlets to speed up processing and Doordash is offering new users up to $20 off their first order as it seeks to build market share.

Café Owners Welcome Competition

River Street’s Café Boker has signed up to both platforms, although owner Shai Chason (pictured above) has welcomed the new entrant saying Doordash is taking a smaller slice of his profits.

 “Margins are tight, so having another way to reach customers is important,” he said. 

“Uber Eats has brought us some regulars, but Doordash offers a better rate of return for the cafés themselves –  and that keeps us alive.”

Mr Chason said while home delivery is convenient, there’s still value in customers dining in.

 “When people come in, they see the other things we offer, they get the vibe, and sometimes they’ll book a table. 

“You can’t replace that with an app.”

Big Business Meets Local Flavour

Doordash is also talking up the local benefits. 

Company Vice President Simon Rossi says the aim is to “connect people with the food they love, while giving small businesses the tools to grow.”

Participating restaurants include Lennox favourite Quattro, with owner Alessandro Matricardi calling the partnership “an exciting step forward” that will help them reach new markets.

For now, Doordash is only offering deliveries from cafes, restaurants and takeaway outlets in Ballina and Lennox, but the company is expected to expand into groceries and other services soon.