Hy-Vee expands digital ordering capabilities for Fast & Fresh stores
Hy-Vee is entering a new partnership to expand digital ordering capabilities for consumers at its convenience stores.
The Midwest grocer will integrate global food tech SaaS company Deliverect into each of its Fast and Fresh Market Grille Express stations for streamlined ordering and aggregated menu management. Hy-Vee says the partnership will also deliver an improved customer experience, preparing orders quickly and efficiently, while also leveraging Deliverect's analytics to make more data-driven decisions on its menu offerings and inventory.
Hy-Vee operates 190 Fast & Fresh convenience stores, which combine “convenience and quality to deliver an exceptional experience for those on the go.” Automating the order creation process with Deliverect eliminates manual entry of meal and snack orders, helping staff focus on preparing meals.
"Convenience stores are at an exciting juncture as they begin to play alongside restaurants in the food delivery arena, and technology is necessary to make this shift successful,” said Noah Hayes, Americas VP at Deliverect. "Deliverect’s suite of solutions are designed to enable food service businesses to streamline their operations and deliver a frictionless customer experience.”
[Read more: Hy-Vee adds PayPal Express Checkout, Venmo to Aisles online]
Hy-Vee began collaborating with Deliverect in January 2024, piloting a custom integration across all store locations. Hy-Vee’s Fast & Fresh app was developed to leverage Deliverect’s order and menu management, and offers an ordering experience similar to popular platforms like Uber Eats and DoorDash. Deliverect also built a custom curbside notification solution for Hy-Vee, which the company said significantly increased customer convenience and operational efficiency at each convenience store location.
"As a brand with convenience at its core, it’s critical that we meet our busy consumers where they are,” said Jennifer Lambert, senior VP of IT strategy and planning for Hy-Vee. “Deliverect's innovative solutions have dramatically increased the speed of our curbside pickup service while providing us with key insights to keep our operations running smoothly and our customers happy. We look forward to seeing how this collaboration continues to evolve in the future.”
Hy-Vee operates more than 570 business units across nine Midwestern states. Deliverect works with more than 50,000 establishments, including well-known chains like Burger King, Little Caesars and Pret A Manger.
This story originally appeared on Chain Store Age.
