When it comes to gig work, time management is key.
While providing great service is typically the number one goal for most food delivery partners, efficiency is also a high priority. Since you’re paid per delivery rather than per hour, it makes sense to take on as many deliveries as you can.
An effective time management strategy is essential to maximize your deliveries.
So here are a few tips to help you make the most of your time with every food delivery.
Pay attention to car maintenance
Caring for your car and ensuring it’s in good working condition is the number one rule for maximizing efficiency.
Your car is required for your trade, so never neglect it. Change your oil as often as required, practice good driving habits, and give your car the regular maintenance it needs. Caring for your car means it’s less likely to break down unexpectedly or have car trouble.
Some of the best delivery apps to work for offer discounts for car maintenance to their delivery partners.
Optimize your route
These days, you can download an app to help you find the shortest route to your destination. Many of these apps also anticipate traffic and other disturbances so you can make every trip as efficient as possible.
If your app allows you to combine two orders together, use your route planner to find a suitable multi-stop route. Remember that not all route planning apps are created equal, so you may have to try a few different options till you find the one that works best for you.
Get familiar with local restaurants
Some food delivery partners like to park close to popular restaurants because they know the orders are pouring in. Others may note how long restaurants take to prepare and package the food; they can then choose to prioritize faster restaurants in the future.
Identifying popular restaurants and keeping a log of your wait times are both excellent ways to help you save time and energy in the long run. Over time, you’ll learn to identify restaurant patterns to help ensure a cost-effective and time-efficient delivery day.
Larger vs. smaller orders
Smaller orders are often faster and easier for restaurant staff to prepare. When you’re delivering smaller orders to locations within a mile or two of the restaurants, you typically won’t spend as much time waiting.
This may help you successfully complete more deliveries in a shorter amount of time versus spending long wait times for large orders, which may pay more per order. It’s important to consider what you’re earning per order and how long you may wait to maximize your time on the road.