2 Food Delivery Services Launch In Newark: Working Kitchens, ASAP

NEWARK, NJ — There are no shortages of food deliveries to make in New Jersey’s largest city. And two recently launched platforms will help get the grub to where it’s needed in Newark.

Read more about each below. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

NEXT STEP FOR NEWARK WORKING KITCHENS

Audible, which has a headquarters in Newark, recently announced the launch of a meal delivery platform, NWK Delivers (NWKD).

According to the company, NWKD marks the next iteration of Newark Working Kitchens (NWK), Audible’s Covid-19 crisis response, as the company shifts its focus from disaster relief to a sustainable long-term solution for the city. Read More: Newark Working Kitchens Keeps Spreading The Love, Fighting Hunger

Audible offered more background about the new platform in a news release:

“Since April 2020, NWK has served nearly 1.5 million meals to residents in need, while helping to sustain the local restaurant economy. The next stage of this proven impact model, NWKD harnesses the purchasing power of local employers to sustain and grow area restaurants, while offering an array of food choices to corporate employees and maintaining a critical meal match component for Newark’s most vulnerable residents.”

The company continued:

“In June, Audible began a pilot of the program’s new app, powered by Sharebite, which allows employees to order lunch from more than a dozen NWK restaurants and includes a company-provided stipend to encourage engagement. For every meal order placed, Audible donates an additional meal to Newark residents in need via a targeted delivery model in collaboration with community organizations. Sharebite will also make a charitable contribution to address food insecurity within Newark for every meal ordered via the NWKD app. Audible’s 1:1 meal match along with Sharebite’s contributions will continue to preserve and create hundreds of jobs for cooks, servers and delivery people. A contactless and turnkey offering, NWKD aims to expand to other Newark-based corporations to increase investment in Newark’s restaurant economy.”

“NWKD not only offers support to local businesses and creates jobs, it also provides much-needed meals to residents who have been hardest hit by the pandemic,” said Aisha Glover, VP of Urban Innovation at Audible.

“To ensure the survival of the local restaurant economy, ongoing support is needed from large local employers, focusing their investment capacities beyond philanthropy, to avoid a worsening and perpetual crisis,” Glover said. “The private sector needs to do its part.”

Through the program, Audible aims to boost spending in the local economy and offer a scalable urban-impact model that can be adopted by other corporations and cities seeking to breathe life into their ground-floor retail economy, the company said.

“Audible’s continued commitment to Newark and its innovative programs like NWK Delivers will boost spending in our local restaurants while providing meals to those who need them most,” Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said.

According to Audible, “NWKD disrupts traditional corporate cafeteria and catering services by redirecting budgets to neighborhood businesses.” In addition to a “significantly lower fee structure” than the 30 to 35% commission charged by some meal delivery platforms, it also creates economies of scale through consolidated meal delivery at fewer sites for participating restaurants, all of which are locally-owned and operated, with over 50% being minority or woman-owned.

Some restaurant owners have hailed the program as a financial lifeline in uncertain times.

“Restaurants are the soul of our community,” said Kai Campbell, owner of The Walla. “The evolution of this amazing program will allow Newark’s close-knit community of restaurants to come back stronger at a time when independent restaurants nationwide are searching for a path forward.”

Currently, participating restaurants include:

• 9 Thai Cuisine (Thai)
• Bulgogi Zip (Korean BBQ)
• French Fry Heaven (American)
• Fresh Coast (Poke and healthy bowls)
• Green Chicpea (Middle Eastern, Kosher)
• La Cocina (Cuban American)
• Marcus B&P (New American)
• McGovern’s Tavern (Pub)
• Sihana Café (American)
• Andros Diner (Diner)
• Casa d’Paco (Spanish)
• Pita Square (Middle Eastern, Halal)
• Robert's Pizzeria (Italian, Pizza)
• Sigri Indian BBQ (Indian)
• The Walla (Indian fusion)
• Uncle Willie's Wings (Wings and things)
• Vonda's Kitchen (Soul Food)

Click here to read more about Newark Working Kitchens and NWK Delivers.

ASAP: NOW DELIVERING IN NEWARK

Meanwhile, ASAP, an on-demand ordering and delivery app, also recently launched in Newark and the surrounding area. It marks the first entry for newly branded delivery service in the New York/New Jersey area.

According to a news release from the company:

“Beginning today, ASAP offers a convenient choice for those in Newark who don’t want to – or can’t – leave their home or office for their favorite meal. Hundreds of area restaurants have already signed on with ASAP, including Five Guys, Panera, Red Robin, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Landry’s, Chuck-E-Cheese and 7-Eleven. To celebrate the Newark debut, anyone ordering with ASAP will get free delivery on their food order and can also get an extra 10% off by using the code ‘ASAPNJ’ at checkout … The ASAP app is simple to use. After creating an account, you choose a restaurant, browse the fully customizable menu, select your items and tap to submit the order with a credit card. Ordering is also available as asap.com.”

In coming weeks, ASAP will offer delivery of a variety of items to the area, utilizing its “deliver anything ASAP” model. Products available for delivery will include apparel, luxury, flowers, sporting goods, and auto/electrical parts, the company said.

The expansion into the Newark area isn’t the only recent score for the company. ASAP also recently secured an exclusive mobile ordering agreement with MetLife Stadium, the New York Giants and the New York Jets.

As of June 2022, ASAP operates in nearly 1,000 cities throughout the United States.

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Newark Facebook page. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here.