Restaurants seeking to strengthen direct sales channels while maintaining dependable delivery now have a new option. Sauce, a first-party ordering, delivery and retention platform, has announced a strategic partnership with Grubhub, a leading U.S. food-ordering and delivery marketplace. The collaboration makes Sauce a direct ordering and delivery partner available to Grubhub merchants, allowing restaurants to support direct sales while leveraging Grubhub's nationwide logistics network for fulfillment.
The partnership addresses a growing tension for restaurant operators: the desire to build direct relationships with customers versus the operational complexity of managing delivery. By integrating Sauce's high-converting direct ordering platform with Grubhub's delivery infrastructure, the two companies aim to provide an end-to-end solution. Restaurants can dispatch direct orders through Grubhub's delivery and support network, while retaining control of their brand, customer data, and marketing efforts through Sauce's platform and AI-powered tools.
"Restaurants deserve online order and delivery technology that grows their business, strengthens connections with their customers, and delivers a best-in-class ordering experience," said Li-ran Navon, CEO and Co-Founder of Sauce. "We're excited to partner with Grubhub to give restaurant operators a powerful direct ordering solution backed by one of the most trusted delivery networks in the industry. Together, we're making it easier for restaurants to support direct sales while building lasting customer loyalty."
Under the partnership, eligible restaurants will gain access to a suite of tools, including Sauce's branded online ordering platform, direct ordering websites optimized for mobile and SEO, integrated loyalty and marketing features, and AI-powered customer engagement. Crucially, restaurants will own their customer data and relationships, a key differentiator as third-party marketplaces often control these assets. Delivery fulfillment will be powered by Grubhub's nationwide logistics network, and the partnership includes exclusive promotional opportunities and onboarding incentives.
"We're excited to partner with Sauce to bring together direct ordering technology and delivery capabilities in a seamless experience for restaurants," said Rachel Winkelman, Vice President, Enterprise Partnerships at Grubhub. "This partnership reflects our shared commitment to helping restaurants support their business and better serve their customers. By combining Sauce's direct ordering technology with Grubhub's nationwide delivery network, we're providing merchants with an end-to-end solution that helps drive sales, streamline operations, and deliver a great customer experience."
The move comes as restaurants increasingly seek to reduce reliance on third-party delivery apps that charge high commissions and limit access to customer data. By enabling direct ordering with reliable delivery, Sauce and Grubhub are positioning themselves as an alternative that balances profitability with convenience. For restaurants, the partnership could mean lower commission fees, stronger customer loyalty, and more control over their online presence. For Grubhub, it expands its merchant offerings beyond its own marketplace, tapping into the growing demand for direct ordering solutions.
Sauce operates throughout the U.S. from New York and Florida, as well as other major markets, and is helping restaurants take back control of their brand, data, and revenue. Grubhub, part of Wonder, features over 415,000 merchants in more than 4,000 U.S. cities. The partnership is expected to roll out to eligible Grubhub merchants, with more details available at www.getsauce.com and www.newmediawire.com.
