Latest news with #UberEats
CNBC
7 hours ago
- Business
- CNBC
Under-the-radar delivery apps are gaining ground in the U.S. by courting Asian restaurants
NEW YORK – When Kelly Wu feels sick and wants a delivery of congee, the Chinese porridge she grew up eating, she opts for a platform many may not have heard of. The New York City resident doesn't open apps from multi-billion dollar companies like Uber Eats or DoorDash. Instead, the 22-year-old pulls up Fantuan, a growing Vancouver-based startup that focuses specifically on the ecosystem surrounding Asian cuisines. "I feel like it's just the equivalent of 'Asian' DoorDash or Uber Eats," Wu said in an interview with CNBC. Digital food ordering and delivery platforms have become ingrained in everyday American life over the past decade, with companies like Uber Eats, DoorDash and GrubHub becoming household names. But when it comes to Asian food, connoisseurs like Wu and restaurant owners are opting for smaller platforms like Fantuan or competitor HungryPanda. Fantuan's strategy looks different than that of bigger food platforms given its focus on Asian businesses, according to co-founder Yaofei Feng. The 11-year-old company sends representatives to talk to store owners in person about getting on the platform rather than trying to reach them online, Feng said. These conversations will often take place in Chinese, given that he said many of these entrepreneurs speak English as a second language. "The way we gain their trust is very unique," Feng said. Having options besides English for the app is appealing for business owners who find it easier to communicate in their first language. The app design is also more reminiscent of Chinese platforms like Alibaba than American alternatives, Feng said, which can provide a sense of familiarity. Since Fantuan first entered the U.S. in 2019, Feng said it has expanded to more than 50 cities ranging from large metropolises such as Los Angeles to college towns like Davis, Calif. The company's U.S. footprint was boosted by its acquisition of Chowbus' delivery business last year. Rather than run large advertising campaigns, Fantuan mainly spreads the word through providing sign holders at storefronts and stickers for delivery drivers. The startup has also worked with influencers on platforms like TikTok and RedNote, a popular short-form video app in China. Feng said Fantuan's main customer bases are first-generation immigrants and international students craving authentic cuisines tied to their home countries. He said the company meets with college student associations to find potential customers coming to the U.S. from Asia. But Feng said there's potential for the app to reach a wider audience as foods including bubble tea become mainstream in the U.S. The company said it saw a growth rate for gross merchandise value of more than 20% in the U.S. last year, before shooting up to 31% in the first quarter of 2025. "With the immigration and the social media, everybody loves Asian food," Feng said. "If they want authentic options, they will also use the app." Following the Chowbus acquisition, many business owners and users consider HungryPanda as the main competitor to Fantuan. Wu said she also has HungryPanda's app, but hasn't ordered on it since she first began using Fantuan, and has been pleased with the service. HungryPanda did not respond to CNBC's interview inquiry for this story. HungryPanda announced last year that it raised $55 million, which will be used in part to fuel expansion efforts in North America. When it comes to the broader food delivery app landscape, Feng said he sees the company "co-existing" alongside bigger-name companies rather than "competing." That's because the draw of Fantuan is connecting authentic – and often smaller – businesses to customers instead of trying to win over large chains that already use other platforms. "It's very hard ... long-term, to compete with the monopolies," he said. "But we want to keep our unique way." In Flushing, a neighborhood of New York City's Queens borough known for its large population of Chinese-Americans, Andrew Chau sees first-hand how the customer base has taken to Fantuan. Chau said his outpost of Yomie's Rice x Yogurt sees around 50 orders each day on the platform. By comparison, Chau said he's lucky to get one order every few days on apps like Uber Eats or DoorDash. Chau likes that the app offers users promotions and that he can communicate with customer service through WeChat, a popular messaging platform in China. He also said many restaurants nearby use the platform, as evidenced by companies having Fantuan logos around their businesses. In Flushing, "I can see lots of Fantuan logo[s]," said Chau, who owns five stores in the New York City area. "I cannot see lots of Uber Eats or DoorDash." Wu also said she sees the logo regularly around areas with high rates of Asian businesses like Flushing or Manhattan's well-known Chinatown neighborhood. She's also seen the delivery drivers out wearing merchandise for both Fantuan and HungryPanda. For Wu, the authenticity of restaurants on Fantuan is better than other more prominent food delivery platforms. She also believes that reviews on Fantuan to be more trustworthy. "I can find dishes that I can't find on American food ordering apps," Wu said. "I feel like it's definitely the way to go if I'm looking for a traditional Chinese meal, rather than using Uber Eats or DoorDash to get something like orange chicken."
The Sun
9 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
I'm an Uber Eats driver, here are the secrets I'm not supposed to tell you, yes we do eat your fries
AN UBER Eats driver has revealed what really happens behind the wheel of your food delivery — from sneaking the odd chip to deliberately slowing down when customers are rude. Tom, 33, who asked not to share his surname as he still works for the platform, told Plates Express that while most customers are polite, the job isn't always straightforward and when he's hungry, stressed, or disrespected, he sometimes bends the rules. 1 'I try to be professional. But when you're stuck in traffic with someone's chips next to you and you've not eaten in hours, it's tough,' he said. Tom admits he's dipped into customer food more than once, especially when the packaging isn't sealed or the bag's already half open. 'I don't make a habit of it, but yeah, I've taken fries. Everyone does, whether they admit it or not,' he says. 'You're five hours in, tired, hungry, and the food's just there — it happens. 'One night I was out late, and hadn't eaten all day. The bag was open, and I took a nugget. Not proud of it but also not the first.' Tom says the way a customer behaves can influence how quickly their food arrives. He says: 'I do my best to be quick, but if someone starts messaging me saying 'where are you?' or 'hurry up', I slow down. I'm not gonna race across town for someone who's giving me grief. 'I get that people are hungry, but I'm juggling traffic, queues, and tight timings. When they're rude, it just puts me off.' Tom says there are things customers can do to get better service from him. He adds: 'If someone tips or just says thank you, I do try to remember them. I don't get the same people often, but when I do, I'll make sure their food stays upright, dry — whatever it takes. 'But if they ignore me or slam the door, yeah... I'm not going out of my way next time.'
CTV News
15 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Dorval woman wins $3,500 after allergic reaction to undisclosed peanuts
A woman won a small claims case after suffering a severe allergic reaction to a dish ordered through a food app that failed to disclose it contained peanuts. A Dorval woman has been awarded more than $3,500 in small claims court after suffering an allergic reaction to a meal ordered through a food delivery app that failed to disclose the presence of peanuts. The woman placed her order through Uber Eats, choosing a bhel puri puff rice dish from Spicebros, an Indian food chain with 12 locations in Quebec. In the app, she specifically noted that she was allergic to peanuts. But when she began eating the dish at the Dorval Community Center, she immediately became ill. A colleague called 911 and helped her with an epinephrine shot. The woman was transported to the Lakeshore Hospital, where she remained until her condition stabilized. It turns out the preparation of the bhel puri dish includes a significant amount of peanuts—an ingredient that could have triggered the woman's reaction. She later sued Spicebros for $15,000 in damages for pain and suffering. In court documents, the representative for Spicebros argued that customers with allergies are expected to call the restaurant directly and not rely on third-party delivery platforms. The judge dismissed that argument, ruling that the restaurant had a responsibility to warn customers about allergens in their food. A company official confirmed to CTV News that the issue has since been addressed. Allergy warnings are now included on the restaurant's menus, and the official added that at the time of the incident, third-party apps didn't always highlight allergy information when transmitting orders—a problem that has also since been corrected. Quebec's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food requires restaurants to label products that contain allergens like peanuts, noting that for many people, the consequences can be life-threatening.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I was size 22 eating FIVE takeaways a week – now I'm told I look like Gemma Owen after 8st weight loss without jabs
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MUM got a jaw-dropping 'revenge body' with £5,000 'tweakments' and losing eight stone - gaining comparisons to Love Island star Gemma Owen. Amy Salmon says when her long-term relationship broke down in March last year she was a size 22 and felt 'horrific' in her own skin. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 15 Amy Salmon when she was size 22 before her weight loss Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 Amy lost eight stone to get a 'revenge body' and now oozes confidence Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 Gemma opted for a £4,200 gastric sleeve in June 2024 Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media But after undergoing gastric sleeve surgery and £5,000-worth of beauty treatments, the 31-year-old says she now oozes confidence and is a completely different person. Unbelievable photos show Amy a year apart looking strikingly different - with the aesthetics practitioner claiming she's now a completely different person both mentally and physically. When the mum-of-two first met her ex-partner aged 21 she weighed 10st and would go to the gym five times a week to maintain her trim size 8 figure. But after becoming comfortable in her relationship, Amy says she piled on the pounds and ballooned to 17st as she gorged on five takeaways a week due to 'emotional eating'. More on weight loss WEIGH TO GO I was sick of not losing weight, I've shed FIVE STONE without fat jabs or diets It was only when Amy saw photos of herself in a dress after a night out post break-up that she decided she needed to do something about her 'unhealthy' habits. At first, Amy tried to lose the weight through exercise but, due to her binge-eating habit, opted for a £4,200 gastric sleeve in June 2024. Following the op in Egypt, Amy dropped 8st and eight dress sizes to a svelte size six and says she's now a much more active mum too. Amy is now sharing her transformation to show other women that they shouldn't be scared to leave an 'unhealthy' relationship. Amy, from Bishop's Stortford in Hertfordshire, said: "There was a breakdown in communication in our relationship. "In the end, we couldn't even bring ourselves to be in the same room as each other. I was sick of trying fad diets and not losing weight but now I've shed FIVE STONE without fat jabs or silly eating plans "I felt horrific in myself. I had never felt so low mentally and physically in my body image in my entire life. "A massive contributing factor for the relationship ended was how I looked, I was a massive binge eater. "You get comfortable with someone and go out on dates to eat and you're not going to the gym five or six times a week like I was when I first met him. "[In the relationship], I would order a lot of Uber Eats. I would have constant takeaways and live off these. 15 Following the op in Egypt, Amy dropped 8st and eight dress sizes to a svelte size six Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 After becoming comfortable in her relationship, Amy says she piled on the pounds and ballooned to 17st Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 She used to be a size eight (pictured at the age of 21) before her relationship Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 Her long-term relationship broke down in March last year and prompted her image overhaul Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media "I was probably having five takeaways a week and it was setting me back at least £100. "The binge-eating had gotten out of control. I just needed something as extreme as a gastric sleeve to kick me into gear. "It [losing the weight] made me feel amazing. I love fashion and it meant I was able to buy clothes from shops as before I had to buy my clothes online. "As a mum it has massively changed the game. As a 17 stone woman, I would be sweating at soft play. "I used to be embarrassed to do those things because of how I looked and my energy levels but now I feel so much better." Beauty tweakments 15 Amy also transformed her look by getting 18-inch brunette extensions Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 Amy, right, said she needed something as extreme as a gastric sleeve to kick her into gear Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 Amy in Egypt ahead of her gastric sleeve Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media After her surgery, Amy underwent skin booster treatments, had her face filler and Botox regularly topped up and changed her hair from a 'miserable' blond bob to flowing 18-inch brunette extensions. In total Amy said she had £5,000 worth of treatments done and claims her break-up was the best thing to ever happen to her. Amy said: "I have changed my hair and got 18-inch extensions put in. The short bob was such a miserable cut and colour for a miserable person. "I do a lot of the treatment myself but I would have spent absolutely thousands on this. My hair alone cost me £600 and in total at least £5,000 for everything else." Love Island look 15 Many people compare Amy to Love Island's Gemma Owen - daughter of footballing legend Michael Owen Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 15 Amy claims her break-up was the best thing to ever happen to her Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 Amy in May 2024 after coming out of her long term relationship Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media In April this year, Amy posted a TikTok video showing off her transformation and users were quick to congratulate her and compare her to Love Island star Gemma Owen. And after getting her 'sparkle' back post break-up, she says she has started dating again and is now encouraging others to leave their relationship if they're unhappy. Amy said: "When I look in the mirror, I see a different person and I don't recognise the person I was. I could cry looking at photos. "When I stepped out of that relationship, I didn't recognise myself. I am so happy in myself now and I just ooze confidence. "I got compared to Love Islander Gemma Owens. She's so young but maybe my aesthetic treatment is working. "The break up was the best thing that has ever happened to me. It needed to happen and I dread to think where I would be if I was still in that relationship. "Do not let the fear of what your life will look like keep you miserable. Life's too short." Amy's diet before and after AMY'S DIET BEFORE Breakfast: A fast food breakfast Lunch: Takeaway Dinner: Pizza or microwave meal AMY'S DIET NOW AFTER GASTRIC SLEEVE SURGERY: Breakfast: Poached eggs or avocado on toast Lunch: Chicken salad or high protein meal Dinner: A small portion of spaghetti bolognese or a high-protein meal 15 Amy used to consume five takeaways a week and it was setting her back at least £100 Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 Now Amy is confident in her skin Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media Amy's transformation video has now been viewed by 359,000 users and received more than 13,000 likes. One user wrote: "Wow. What a glow up! You look like Gemma Owen. Another commented: "I actually can't comprehend this is the same person. Glow!" A third wrote: "That's the same person - Wow - girl this is the best glow up ever." A fourth commented: "Considering divorcing my husband if I can glow up like this."
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I was size 22 eating FIVE takeaways a week – now I'm told I look like Gemma Owen after 8st weight loss without jabs
A MUM got a jaw-dropping 'revenge body' with £5,000 'tweakments' and losing eight stone - gaining comparisons to Love Island star Gemma Owen. Amy Salmon says when her long-term relationship broke down in March last year she was a size 22 and felt 'horrific' in her own skin. 15 Amy Salmon when she was size 22 before her weight loss Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 Amy lost eight stone to get a 'revenge body' and now oozes confidence Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 Gemma opted for a £4,200 gastric sleeve in June 2024 Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media But after undergoing Unbelievable photos show Amy a year apart looking strikingly different - with the aesthetics practitioner claiming she's now a completely different person both mentally and physically. When the mum-of-two first met her ex-partner aged 21 she weighed 10st and would go to the gym five times a week to maintain her trim size 8 figure. But after becoming comfortable in her relationship, Amy says she piled on the pounds and ballooned to 17st as she gorged on five takeaways a week due to 'emotional eating'. More on weight loss It was only when Amy saw photos of herself in a dress after a night out post break-up that she decided she needed to do something about her 'unhealthy' habits. At first, Amy tried to lose the weight through exercise but, due to her binge-eating habit, opted for a £4,200 Following the op in Egypt , Amy dropped 8st and eight dress sizes to a svelte size six and says she's now a much more active mum too. Amy is now sharing her transformation to show other women that they shouldn't be scared to leave an 'unhealthy' relationship. Most read in Fabulous Amy, from Bishop's Stortford in Hertfordshire, said: "There was a breakdown in communication in our relationship. "In the end, we couldn't even bring ourselves to be in the same room as each other. I was sick of trying fad diets and not losing weight but now I've shed FIVE STONE without fat jabs or silly eating plans "I felt horrific in myself. I had never felt so low mentally and physically in my body image in my entire life. "A massive contributing factor for the relationship ended was how I looked, I was a massive binge eater. "You get comfortable with someone and go out on dates to eat and you're not going to the gym five or six times a week like I was when I first met him. "[In the relationship], I would order a lot of Uber Eats. I would have constant takeaways and live off these. 15 Following the op in Egypt, Amy dropped 8st and eight dress sizes to a svelte size six Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 After becoming comfortable in her relationship, Amy says she piled on the pounds and ballooned to 17st Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 She used to be a size eight (pictured at the age of 21) before her relationship Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 Her long-term relationship broke down in March last year and prompted her image overhaul Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media "I was probably having five takeaways a week and it was setting me back at least £100. "The binge-eating had gotten out of control. I just needed something as extreme as a gastric sleeve to kick me into gear. "It [losing the weight] made me feel amazing. I love fashion and it meant I was able to buy clothes from shops as before I had to buy my clothes online. "As a mum it has massively changed the game. As a 17 stone woman, I would be sweating at soft play. "I used to be embarrassed to do those things because of how I looked and my energy levels but now I feel so much better." Beauty tweakments 15 Amy also transformed her look by getting 18-inch brunette extensions Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 Amy, right, said she needed something as extreme as a gastric sleeve to kick her into gear Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 Amy in Egypt ahead of her gastric sleeve Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media After her surgery, Amy underwent skin booster treatments, had her face filler and Botox regularly topped up and changed her hair from a 'miserable' blond bob to flowing 18-inch In total Amy said she had £5,000 worth of treatments done and claims her break-up was the best thing to ever happen to her. Amy said: "I have changed my hair and got 18-inch extensions put in. The short bob was such a miserable cut and colour for a miserable person. "I do a lot of the treatment myself but I would have spent absolutely thousands on this. My hair alone cost me £600 and in total at least £5,000 for everything else." Love Island look 15 Many people compare Amy to Love Island's Gemma Owen - daughter of footballing legend Michael Owen Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 15 Amy claims her break-up was the best thing to ever happen to her Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 Amy in May 2024 after coming out of her long term relationship Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media In April this year, Amy posted a TikTok video showing off her transformation and users were quick to congratulate her and compare her to Love Island star And after getting her 'sparkle' back post break-up, she says she has started dating again and is now encouraging others to leave their relationship if they're unhappy. Amy said: "When I look in the mirror, I see a different person and I don't recognise the person I was. I could cry looking at photos. "When I stepped out of that relationship, I didn't recognise myself. I am so happy in myself now and I just ooze confidence. "I got compared to Love Islander Gemma Owens. She's so young but maybe my aesthetic treatment is working. "The break up was the best thing that has ever happened to me. It needed to happen and I dread to think where I would be if I was still in that relationship. "Do not let the fear of what your life will look like keep you miserable. Life's too short." Amy's diet before and after AMY'S DIET BEFORE Breakfast: A fast food breakfast Lunch: Takeaway Dinner: Pizza or microwave meal AMY'S DIET NOW AFTER GASTRIC SLEEVE SURGERY: Breakfast: Poached eggs or avocado on toast Lunch: Chicken salad or high protein meal Dinner: A small portion of spaghetti bolognese or a high-protein meal 15 Amy used to consume five takeaways a week and it was setting her back at least £100 Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 15 Now Amy is confident in her skin Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media Amy's transformation video has now been viewed by 359,000 users and received more than 13,000 likes. One user wrote: "Wow. What a glow up ! You look like Gemma Owen. Another commented: "I actually can't comprehend this is the same person. Glow!" A third wrote: "That's the same person - Wow - girl this is the best glow up ever." A fourth commented: "Considering divorcing my husband if I can glow up like this." What is the difference between a gastric band, bypass and sleeve? The three most widely used types of Gastric band: where a band is used to reduce the stomach's size, meaning you will feel full after eating a reduced amount of food where your digestive system is re-routed past stomach, so you digest less food and it takes less to make you feel full where some of the stomach is removed, to reduce the amount of food required to make you feel full When coupled with exercise and a healthy diet, weight loss surgery has been found to be effective in dramatically reducing a patient's excess body fat. Recent research in the United States found that people with gastric bands lose around half of their excess body weight. Meanwhile gastric bypasses reduce this excess body weight by two thirds post-op. However, it's not always successful - and patients still need to take responsibility for eating well and working out.
