As more and more customers become comfortable with home delivery options, the technology for these methods has upped its game yet again, with drone delivery currently trending. Expect to see more drone deliveries from stores, restaurants and grocers in densely populated suburban neighborhoods, especially as a way to counteract the competition from Amazon’s Prime Air drone delivery that is anticipated to make its U.S. debut within the next year or so. Drone deliveries provide a cost-efficient solution to rising gas prices and are quicker and cheaper for retailers than relying on the third-party delivery process. The fun, efficient and environmentally friendly delivery method is still new enough that its wow factor is high, which should entice customers to utilize drone deliveries in the foreseeable future.
On June 24, El Pollo Loco premiered its drone delivery system, dubbed “Air Loco,” to a small number of its loyal rewards members in Corona, Calif., who live within two miles of the test restaurant site. The Air Loco drone moves 200 feet in the air at 32 miles per hour, and can carry 6.6 pounds, including drinks, in a “thermo-to-go” package that is held inside an attached basket. Once the drone reaches its destination, it hovers 80 feet above the delivery site and the basket opens while slowly lowering the package from a wire to the customer’s backyard. The process, from order to final delivery, takes less than fifteen minutes. Up to 10 more Southern California suburban El Pollo Loco units are expected to also have their own test run of the Air Loco service by summer’s end.
El Pollo Loco partnered with Flytrex, the Israeli-based company responsible for creating the autonomous delivery drones. Flytrex anticipates having multiple “drone stations” throughout the U.S. by late 2021/early 2022, and the company has already been successfully test-driving drone deliveries for both Starbucks and Walmart in Fayetteville, N.C.
Kroger also launched its own drone delivery to customers on June 9, for residents within a mile of its grocery store in Centerville, Ohio. For now, the drones can carry up to 5 pounds of items and can deliver to any cell phone’s GPS address in fifteen minutes or less. To help facilitate the weight limitation ordering process, Kroger has developed its own drone order packages, including a S’mores-themed bundle that arrives with marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate bars and a “baby care” bundle that comes equipped with diapers, baby wipes and formula. By late summer, a Southern California Ralphs grocery store, a subsidiary of Kroger, will also test drive the drone deliveries within a one-mile radius. The drones are provided by Drone Express, a division of TELEGRID Technologies, Inc. Drone Express’ future goal is to have its on-site “mini airport” trailers — which will house and service up to five drones for deliveries — in multiple Kroger grocery parking lots
