Sauce, a first-party ordering, delivery and retention platform for restaurants, announced a strategic partnership with Grubhub, a leading U.S. food-ordering and delivery marketplace. The collaboration will make Sauce a direct ordering and delivery partner available to Grubhub merchants, allowing restaurants to support direct sales while leveraging Grubhub's nationwide delivery network for fulfillment. The partnership, reported via www.newmediawire.com, addresses a growing need among restaurants to build stronger direct channels without sacrificing reliable delivery operations.
Under the agreement, Sauce will power the customer-facing ordering experience and data tools, while Grubhub connects merchants with drivers for last-mile delivery. This division of labor means restaurants can offer a seamless online ordering experience while retaining ownership of customer data and relationships, a critical factor for building loyalty and repeat business. The partnership comes as restaurants increasingly seek ways to reduce dependence on third-party marketplaces that often charge high commissions and limit access to customer information.
"Restaurants deserve online order and delivery technology that grows their business, strengthens connections with their customers, and delivers a best-in-class ordering experience," said Li-ran Navon, CEO and Co-Founder of Sauce. "We're excited to partner with Grubhub to give restaurant operators a powerful direct ordering solution backed by one of the most trusted delivery networks in the industry. Together, we're making it easier for restaurants to support direct sales while building lasting customer loyalty." The sentiment was echoed by Grubhub's Rachel Winkelman, Vice President, Enterprise Partnerships, who noted that the partnership reflects a shared commitment to helping restaurants support their business and better serve their customers.
Eligible restaurants will gain access to a suite of tools through the partnership, including Sauce's high-converting branded online ordering platform, direct ordering websites optimized for mobile and SEO, integrated loyalty and marketing features, and AI-powered customer engagement tools. Additionally, merchants will receive exclusive promotional opportunities and onboarding incentives. For more information, visit www.getsauce.com.
The implications of this partnership are significant for the restaurant industry. By combining direct ordering technology with a nationwide delivery network, Sauce and Grubhub are offering a viable alternative to the traditional third-party delivery model. Restaurants can now drive direct orders, maintain control of their brand and customer relationships, and still rely on Grubhub's logistics for fulfillment. This could lead to higher profit margins for restaurants, as direct orders typically avoid the steep commissions charged by delivery marketplaces. It also empowers restaurants to use customer data for targeted marketing and loyalty programs, fostering deeper connections with diners.
For Grubhub, the partnership expands its merchant services beyond its own marketplace, potentially increasing delivery volume and driver utilization. For Sauce, it provides access to Grubhub's extensive network and merchant base, accelerating its mission to help restaurants take back control of their brand, data, and revenue. As the restaurant industry continues to evolve, collaborations like this may become a model for how restaurants balance the convenience of delivery with the economic benefits of direct ordering.
