The food app revolution will eat its drivers
By John Gapper
Wang Xing, co-founder of Meituan Dianping, aspires to “make life better for everyone”, says the prospectus for the world’s largest food delivery company, which floated this month in Hong Kong at a value of $53bn. That is an impossible dream, but his company is changing how millions eat.
Uber’s on-demand taxi service used to be the ultimate disrupter, but rides for people are being challenged by delivery of food. Motorcycles and bikes speed around cities, carrying meals for millennials without the time or inclination to cook themselves. Uber hopes to grab more of an expanding market in Europe and Asia by partnering with Deliveroo, one of its delivery rivals.
Serving pizzas does not sound like a bigger deal than driving humans; takeaway food was not invented by Deliveroo, Uber Eats or Meituan. But the growth of personal services on two wheels — in Indonesia, on-demand massages and beauty treatments are available, as well as meals — is a cultural revolution.
Like other revolutions, it is breaking out on the streets. The emblem of food delivery in London is a large red L — the learner driver sign fixed to motorcycles that shows two things. Many couriers have not yet qualified to drive safely and responsibly, and most of these companies do not require it.