Aug. 21, 2018

Restaurant delivery service Bite Squad is making a quiet entrance into the Sioux Falls market, gearing up for a big splash that will offer free delivery for a year.

The Minneapolis-based company started making deliveries Tuesday with a dozen early restaurant partners to help get the service up to speed.

“We’ll be adding more every day,” said Craig Key, chief marketing officer.

Earlier this year, Bite Squad gathered the names of interested customers and invited them to try the service for free during the soft launch. Diners can order using the website or mobile app, and there’s a live chat feature and an order-tracking system.

“We really want you to try the service,” Key said. “Try it on the grand-opening weekend and get free service for a year.” Bite Squad expects to announce those dates soon.

After the one-year trial, customers who want to keep getting free delivery can continue with the unlimited program. For $10 a month, it offers no fee for restaurants within four miles and a “deep discount” after that, Key said.

Otherwise, delivery costs start at $3 and increase based on the distance from the restaurant.

Early restaurant partners include Backyard Grill on Western Avenue, Callaway’s, Cluckin’ Good Chicken & BBQ, Everest Indian Cuisine, Falls Landing Bar & Grill, Giliberto’s Mexican Taco Shop on East 10th Street, Grand Junction Grilled Subs, Myers’ Deli & More, Pizza Man, Steak-Out Char-Broiled Delivery, Stubbie’s Bar & Grill and Swamp Daddy’s Cajun Kitchen.

In addition to delivery, customers can use the service for catering and pickup orders. It also sells gift cards — great options for new parents or newcomers.

Bite Squad doesn’t mark up the restaurant prices for menu items. It does require a “small revenue share” with its partners, Key said, pointing out that the delivery service is a perfect option during bad weather when customers want to stay home or in the office.

Rather than using contract drivers, Bite Squad drivers are employees, which helps provide consistent delivery service because they’re scheduled to work shifts, Key said.

“We’re almost always looking for drivers,” he said.

Bite Squad started in August 2012 in Minneapolis and has been expanding quickly. It’s in more than 300 markets and expects to pass 400 by the end of the year, Key said.

The service delivers food daily from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.