#gregflynn

Greg Flynn — the powerhouse behind nearly 3,000 restaurants under brands like Taco Bell, Wendy’s, Arby’s, Applebee’s, and Panera Bread — believes the future of food delivery won’t be on wheels. It’ll be in the air.

“Ten years from now, drone delivery will be utterly ubiquitous,” says Flynn, founder and CEO of Flynn Group, a $4.5 billion restaurant empire.

Speaking at the Restaurant Finance & Development Conference in Las Vegas, Flynn joined Zipline CEO Keller Rinaudo Cliffton to discuss why he’s betting on drones as the next frontier of food service.

Why Flynn Group Is Investing in Drones

In April 2024, Flynn Group announced a partnership with Zipline, the San Francisco-based drone delivery company, to pilot drone deliveries from select Panera Bread locations in Seattle. Zipline plans to expand to 6–8 major U.S. metros next year.

“We own a ton of drive-thrus,” Flynn said. “But if drones are how people will order food in the future, I need to be in the drone business.”

From Blood Deliveries to Burritos

Zipline started in 2016 by delivering blood and medical supplies in Rwanda, and today operates across eight countries — serving over 5,000 hospitals. Now it’s turning its sights on retail and restaurant delivery in the U.S.

The company already partners with Walmart, Buffalo Wild Wings, Wendy’s, and Chipotle — the latter even testing a “Zipotle” option for drone deliveries in Dallas.

Zipline has completed nearly 2 million commercial deliveries, with an average U.S. delivery time of just 15–16 minutes.

The End of Third-Party “Frenemies”?

Flynn hopes drone delivery can help restaurants break free from heavy reliance on third-party apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats — which often take steep commissions.

“These guys are frenemies at best,” he said. “They’ve gotten between us and our guests in ways that benefit them more than us.”

While delivery apps lure consumers with “free” offers, restaurants are forced to raise menu prices to absorb the commissions — leaving diners thinking the restaurant is overpriced.

“People end up thinking, ‘Wow, Applebee’s is more expensive than I thought,’” Flynn said. “It’s just problematic in lots of ways.”

The Drone Delivery Revolution

Zipline hasn’t publicly disclosed its restaurant pricing model, but Chipotle’s drone orders currently cost $2.99 + a 15% service fee (capped at $6) — far cheaper than many app delivery fees.

Cliffton claims that Zipline’s daily delivery volume rivals DoorDash and Uber Eats in areas where it operates, with an average order value of $33.

“This kind of delivery will fundamentally change the way people order,” said Cliffton. “It’s going to change behavior itself.”

What’s Next

The Restaurant Finance & Development Conference — hosted by Restaurant Finance Monitor, Franchise Times, and Food On Demand — runs through November 12 at the Bellagio, Las Vegas, and is already buzzing with discussions about automation, AI, and robotics reshaping restaurant operations.