Tampa Bay Area Chick-fil-A Takes to the Skies with Drone Delivery
Chick-fil-A is expanding its drone delivery trial by introducing aerial food drops in Florida. The chain, known for its busy drive-thru lines, initiated drone delivery testing at a Brandon, Florida location, according to updates on the restaurant’s social media profiles.
In Florida, customers within the designated drone delivery zone (within a 1.2-mile radius.) for the restaurant can place orders via the Chick-fil-A app for drone delivery. The food is packaged in a cardboard box and gently lowered into customers’ backyards, with the drone maintaining a hovering position without landing. The delivery process involves using a wire to lower the food to the ground. The social media post indicates that the drone delivery fee is currently waived for a limited period.
Behind-the-scenes of drone delivery.
A video shared on Instagram offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse, revealing that Chick-fil-A is collaborating with DroneUp, a drone company based in Virginia Beach. According to TampaBay.com, the company introduced a drone delivery service in collaboration with a Walmart store in Tampa almost a year ago.
Although drone delivery is still in the experimental phase in the United States, it is gaining traction among major retailers and restaurant chains. Business Insider reported that Flytrex, an ultrafast drone delivery service from Tel Aviv, has partnered with Chick-fil-A restaurants in Texas and North Carolina since September 2022.
Flytrex also provides drone services for various other businesses, including Walmart, Raising Cane’s, Papa John’s, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Unilever’s The Ice Cream Shop, Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers, Little Caesars, Starbucks, and Chili’s. Additionally, Amazon is conducting drone delivery trials in California and Texas.
Despite the promising advancements, MIT Technology Review highlighted some challenges associated with drone delivery. They noted that drones often deliver to designated pickup locations rather than directly to doorsteps. Additionally, drones face a higher risk of becoming stuck or trapped in challenging locations compared to human delivery. This potentially poses a greater risk of injury during the delivery process. Concerns about maintaining food quality, particularly in terms of freshness and temperature, have also been raised.
4 Fast-Food Restaurants Flavorful Plant-Based Picks
The once-challenging quest for vegan options at fast-food restaurants has gotten a lot easier in recent years. Gone are the days of painstakingly customizing orders to suit specific dietary needs. Or worse, just having French fries and lettuce. Fast-food chains have taken significant strides in recent years, expanding their menus to offer an array of plant-based choices.
Plenty of fast-food chains have recognized the shifting dietary preferences of their customers and have embraced the challenge of providing satisfying vegan options. The evolution of vegan choices at these establishments has been impressive. From the golden arches of well-known burger joints to the cozy corners of popular sandwich shops, the vegan revolution has made its mark.
Plant-based and vegan fast-food options
Vegans no longer have to rely solely on customizing existing meals to meet their dietary requirements. Instead, they can revel in the sheer variety that now graces the menus of fast-food chains. These establishments now proudly feature vegan burgers that sizzle and satisfy, dairy-free milkshakes, and even plant-based twists on classic comfort foods.
With an increasing number of people embracing plant-based lifestyles and seeking sustainable dining choices, the fast-food industry has risen to the occasion. These establishments understand that providing diverse options isn’t just about following a trend but about fostering inclusivity and catering to many people with specific tastes and needs. So, the next time you’re in a hurry and hunger strikes, rest assured that the vegan options at fast-food restaurants are not only abundant but also thoughtfully crafted to satisfy your cravings and nourish your values.
Whether you’re on a diet, dairy-free, vegetarian, or simply vegan there are fast-food places for you to grab a quick bite. Check out these fast-food vegan restaurant menu items. If you’re a very strict vegan, you might consider checking with the establishment regarding any potential cross-contamination with meat products when placing your order.
Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it.
She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel.
A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community.
She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.
