Australian burger chain Milky Lane has made a desperate call to delivery services such as Deliveroo and Uber Eats to slash their 35 per cent commission fee.
The popular restaurant chain has been suffering as the outbreak of coronavirus leaves diners too scared to leave their homes, instead ordering food to their front doors.
Milky Lane is asking for delivery fees to be cut and the commission fee to be reduced so businesses are able to stay afloat amid the global pandemic.
Milky Lane has asked for delivery services such as Uber Eats and Deliveroo to reduce their commission fee of 35 per cent
‘We’re writing this message to you on behalf of ourselves and a whole industry that’s being brought slowly to it’s knees by Covid 19 and the roll on effects of what’s happening right in Australia and around the world,’ Milky Lane wrote on Facebook.
‘As you’d be well aware, with the 35% industry average sale commission that you guys take, most of us run at a loss to operate this delivery service but we do so because we want to give our loyal customers the luxury of having food delivered to their front door (we care greatly about the people who support us).
‘Now as we get deeper and deeper into this pandemic and people are becoming more cautious of leaving the house, delivery services such as your own start to have a monopoly of being the first choice over eating in store (where we take 100% of the sale not 65% as per using your services) which is our preferred way of feeding our guests.’
The burger chain said that while it understood the delivery platforms needed to make a profit, restaurants were the ones suffering.
More people are turning towards delivery services like Uber Eats as the global pandemic leaves many too scared to leave their homes
‘We also need to ensure that we don’t sink if people decide to stay in and with your current rates and formatting, a lot of people will,’ Milky Lane said.
‘If restaurants go under, you will also be the ones that suffer in the end so we need to work together on creating the best scenario and outcome.’
The burger business asked the delivery fee to be cut to help with cash flow which would help pay amenities such as rent and staff.
‘The next few months for the whole country are looking grim and we need to band together as one and help each other out,’ they said.
The outbreak of the killer virus has left a trail of empty streets and restaurants that were once bustling with customers.
Restaurants have been deserted as people opt to order in amid the outbreak
Celebrity chef Colin Fassnidge said that restaurants, pubs and nightclubs across Australia could be forced to shut for a month from Sunday due to the coronavirus outbreak.
‘We’ve been told on the quiet that all the restaurants and pubs need to close on Sunday, so we’re going to close down our restaurants today,’ Fassnidge told the Today Show.
‘It’s more or less going to be Sunday or a few days after. I’m a bit worried today, so we’ll see what happens.
‘Just support us, get takeaway.’
On Wednesday, Uber Eats announced they would be undergoing measures to provide relief for restaurants across Australia.
The delivery service said $5million in funding for promotions on Uber Eats would go to restaurants.
A street in the heart of Sydney’s CBD is almost deserted as panic sweeps across Australia amid the outbreak of COVID-19
‘The restaurant industry is being hit hard by Coronavirus and the sector needs to help the thousands of people that rely on it – for work and as an essential service – during this difficult time,’ Uber Eats Regional General Manager for APAC, Jodie Auster said.
‘We are putting in place a range of initiatives to continue to support restaurant partners, particularly small business owners, as they keep their kitchens firing to feed people across the country.’
Businesses will also be able to receive daily payments rather than the standard weekly payments to help with cash flow.
‘There are thousands of small businesses in the restaurant, café and catering industry that have felt the full force of the coronavirus outbreak, with some reporting bookings and foot traffic down between 80 to 100 percent,’ Restaurant and Catering Association CEO Wes Lambert said.
‘These measures by Uber are very welcome as they allow small businesses to quickly pivot to still be able to serve great food, keep their doors open and keep staff working throughout these difficult times.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Deliveroo for comment.