Better packaging could put more drinks in restaurant delivery orders. In the National Restaurant Association's August 2026 Beverage Trends report, 83% of delivery customers said they would order beverages more often if improved packaging made more options available. Among Gen Z and millennial customers, that figure reached 89%.
Two-thirds of surveyed operators also said they would promote delivery beverages more if packaging made transportation easier. The findings point to potential sales that restaurants may be missing, although customer interest doesn't guarantee profitable orders.
For owners considering a beverage menu expansion, four checks can help determine which drinks travel reliably, how much work they add, and whether they're worth keeping on the menu.
1. Choose drinks and set targets
Start with one or two drinks, not the entire menu. Bottled and canned beverages are generally easier to transport, while freshly prepared coffees, smoothies, and teas may require different lids, seals, or carriers. A smaller trial makes packaging failures easier to identify.
Set targets before launch: beverage attachment rates, acceptable complaint levels, additional preparation time, and contribution margin. Restaurants can also compare standalone drinks with meal bundles to see which offer performs better.
2. Test packaging on delivery routes
A cup that stays upright on the counter may leak after 20 minutes in a delivery vehicle. Pack drinks exactly as customers would receive them, then test the cup, lid, carrier, and bag together under realistic delivery conditions.
Check each order for:
- Leaks, loose lids, and damaged seals
- Ice melt or problematic temperature changes
- Lost carbonation, where applicable
- Cups shifting or tipping inside carriers
- Missing drinks and unreadable labels
Packaging must be suitable for its intended use and meet applicable food safety requirements. Uber Eats' US merchant terms, for example, require appropriate protection against damage and tampering, along with measures to preserve products safely during delivery.
Missing drinks present another risk. In June 2026, DoorDash published guidance for a pilot involving scannable drink stickers. Driver scans create pickup records that can help resolve missing-item disputes. DoorDash's June guidance described a four-week pilot, and the company has not publicly confirmed a broader rollout in the sources reviewed.
Request packaging samples and confirm supplier lead times before committing to bulk orders. Restaurants reviewing broader handoff procedures can also consult this restaurant delivery workflow checklist.
3. Time preparation during rushes
Packaging that survives delivery still needs to work during a busy shift. A drink that adds only a few seconds to a quiet afternoon order could create a bottleneck when delivery tickets start piling up.
Measure the complete process, from preparing the beverage to fitting the lid, sealing, labeling, staging, and driver pickup. Run tests during peak periods rather than relying on slower shifts.
Have staff record leaks, missed drinks, and handoff delays. Comparing results across shifts helps identify whether problems come from the packaging, assembly process, or order verification.
4. Calculate the cost per drink
A higher order total doesn't necessarily mean more profit. Ingredient costs are only the starting point; cups, lids, seals, carriers, additional labor, discounts, and applicable platform fees also affect the result.
Calculate each drink's incremental contribution using actual costs and the restaurant's delivery agreement. A discounted bundle may increase beverage orders while leaving less revenue per drink.
Track four measures:
- Attachment rate: Share of eligible orders containing a drink
- Complaint rate: Share of drink orders with reported problems
- Added prep time: Additional seconds required per order
- Contribution margin: Beverage revenue minus attributable costs
Compare results across busy and slower shifts, accounting for packaging failures and remakes. Operators reviewing wider delivery expenses can use this delivery ordering system checklist to examine platform fees and fulfillment costs.
Expand only when the numbers work
The August beverage research suggests customers are open to ordering more drinks for delivery. Whether those orders are profitable depends on how reliably restaurants can prepare, package, and deliver them.
Keep beverages that arrive intact and meet the restaurant's margin and service targets. Rework or remove those that fall short before adding more options or expanding the program across locations.
