Uber has today launched a new feature which will allow customers eating in at restaurants to order and pay via the app.
The ‘Dine-In’ tool goes live today in the UK ahead of the easing of lockdown restrictions on April 12 which will see pubs and restaurants with outdoor space welcome patrons for the first time in 2021.
Uber says the feature will be available at all sites that are already registered on Uber Eats.
MailOnline understands Uber is waiving all commision fees and payment processing costs until the end of 2021.
‘Dine-In’ goes live today in the UK ahead of the easing of lockdown restrictions on April 12 which will see pubs and restaurants with outdoor space welcome patrons for the first time in 2021
Users will find the Dine-In option in the normal Uber Eats app and will be able to access a participating restaurant’s menu by scanning a unique QR code.
The aim of the new function is to prevent unnecessary contact with objects which are touched by several people, such as menus and card machines.
Payment can be taken via the app in the same way as customers buy food for delivery on Uber Eats.
Toussaint Wattinne, General Manager for Uber Eats in the UK and Ireland said: ‘We know the last year has been incredibly hard for restaurants, and we want to champion small businesses and do our bit to support the UK’s economic recovery.
‘The best way to support restaurants is by getting back out there to support your local, and our new Dine-In feature will enable restaurants to open their doors safely, process orders efficiently, and at no extra cost.’
‘Dine-In’ is being rolled out to all users in the UK today after successful trials at various sites in the UK last year.
Users will find the Dine-In tool in the normal Uber Eats app and will be able to access a participating restaurant’s menu by scanning a QR code (pictured)
Uber’s business underwent a seismic shift during the coronavirus pandemic, with Uber Eats, its food delivery platform, overtaking its ride-hailing arm for the first time.
While there was plummeting demand for taxis the company’s food delivery service soared in popularity.
In August Uber announced its financial results for the Covid-ravaged second quarter of 2020 and revealed gross bookings in Uber’s ride-hailing branch dropped by a staggering 75 per cent, to around $3.05billion.
However, Uber Eats more than doubled, taking in a total of almost $7billion in bookings.
This was the first time Eats took more money than mobility and the trend continued for the rest of the year.
In the fourth quarter of 2020, Uber reported $6.79billion in gross bookings for its mobility service, half of the same figure for the final quarter of 2019.
Eats however, was up 130 per cent compared to Q4 of 2019, recording $10.05billion in gross bookings.
