Restaurants seeking to balance direct sales with dependable delivery now have a new option. Sauce, a first-party ordering, delivery and retention platform, has 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 drive direct orders while leveraging Grubhub's nationwide logistics network for fulfillment. According to the announcement, the partnership aims to help restaurants build stronger direct channels without sacrificing reliable last-mile delivery.
The significance of this partnership lies in its potential to shift the economics of online ordering for restaurants. By integrating Sauce's high-converting direct ordering platform with Grubhub's delivery infrastructure, merchants can retain ownership of customer data and relationships—a critical factor for building loyalty and reducing dependence on third-party marketplaces. Sauce powers the customer-facing ordering experience, including branded websites optimized for mobile and SEO, integrated loyalty and marketing tools, and AI-powered customer engagement. Grubhub handles the delivery fulfillment, connecting merchants with drivers. This division of labor allows restaurants to focus on their brand and customer experience while relying on Grubhub's logistics for reliable delivery.
"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 partnership arrives as restaurants increasingly seek ways to build direct channels while maintaining reliable delivery operations. By combining Sauce's ordering technology with Grubhub's nationwide delivery network, eligible restaurants gain access to a suite of tools designed to drive sales and streamline operations. These include Sauce's branded online ordering platform, direct ordering websites, integrated loyalty and marketing features, and ownership of customer data. Additionally, merchants can tap into exclusive promotional opportunities and onboarding incentives. For Grubhub, the collaboration expands its merchant offerings and reinforces its commitment to providing innovative solutions for restaurants.
"We're excited to partner with Sauce to bring together direct ordering technology and delivery capabilities in a seamless experience for restaurants," said Rachel Winkelman, Vice President, Enterprise Partnerships at Grubhub. "This partnership reflects our shared commitment to helping restaurants support their business and better serve their customers. By combining Sauce's direct ordering technology with Grubhub's nationwide delivery network, we're providing merchants with an end-to-end solution that helps drive sales, streamline operations, and deliver a great customer experience."
The implications for restaurant operators are substantial. In an industry where third-party delivery commissions can erode margins, this partnership offers a way to maintain direct customer relationships while still providing delivery. Sauce's commission-free model, as described in its own materials, could enable restaurants to improve profitability. The partnership also signals a growing trend of collaboration between direct ordering platforms and delivery networks, potentially reshaping how restaurants approach their digital presence. As more restaurants look to own their online ordering and customer data, solutions like this may become increasingly vital.
For more information, visit www.getsauce.com. The original release can be viewed on www.newmediawire.com.
