Yelp launches food delivery and pickup service

By Tiffany Hsu, Los Angeles Times

Review site Yelp Inc. is allowing users to order food online for delivery and pickup, partnering with businesses such as Eat24 and Delivery.com.


The offering, called Yelp Platform, can be accessed on desktop computers and mobile gadgets, the San Francisco company said in a blog post Tuesday.

Yelp also said Tuesday that it will eventually roll out a scheduling program for appointments at yoga studios, salons, spas and dentist offices. To do so, it plans to pair with brands such as Booker, Demandforce and MindBody.



The company already facilitates restaurant reservations for listed businesses via a collaboration with booking company OpenTable Inc.

Yelp will have to contend with the dominant businesses in the Internet food ordering space.

In May, Seamless North America and GrubHub Inc. said they planned to merge their online takeout requesting services. The companies’ reach will extend to more than 20,000 eateries in more than 500 U.S. cities.

Last week, Groupon Inc. launched a restaurant booking program to rival OpenTable, encouraging users to put their names down for discounted meals in 10 cities, including Los Angeles.

In June, Amazon.com Inc. expanded its AmazonFresh grocery delivery service from Seattle to Los Angeles, offering same-day and early-morning delivery on more than 500,000 products.

On Tuesday, Yelp stock closed up 6.7%, or $2.33, to $37.24. The share price has nearly doubled this year.