Facebook now lets you order food
NEW YORK -- Facebook (FB) doesn't want users to forget to eat while their whiling away the hours on the social network.
The social-media giant said Friday it is moving to make it easier for people to order food for pick-up or delivery, noting that the process is too complicated. It promises to help save time by bringing existing food-ordering services, including ChowNow, Delivery.com, EatStreet, Olo, Slice and Zuppler, into its app and partnering with some restaurants directly.
U.S. Facebook users can order from local restaurants and big chains, such as Chipotle, Denny's, El Pollo Loco, Five Guys, Jack in the Box and Panera.
"You can browse restaurants nearby by visiting the Order Food section in the Explore menu," said Facebook, which has been testing the service since last year. "On this page, you can browse food options and select Start Order when you've found what you're looking for."
Most people who order food already have accounts set up with individual restaurants and delivery apps, however. Facebook will have to persuade them to start the process inside its app instead of using GrubHub, UberEats, Amazon or niche delivery services like Caviar.
Of course, using Facebook to order food might prompt users to spend more time perusing their news feeds -- and seeing ads.