Facebook launches US food order and delivery service

Several online services already offer food delivery, but that doesn’t mean Facebook won’t jump on board anyway.

Facebook on Friday launched a service through which its US users can order food for takeaway or delivery directly through its app or website.

Facebook said it has partnered with restaurants including Chipotle Mexican Grill, Jack in the Box, Five Guys and Papa John’s.

Of course, using Facebook to order food might prompt users to spend more time perusing their news feeds -- and seeing ads.

A Facebook logo on display at a start-up company's gathering at Paris’ Station F in Paris, January 17, 2017. /AP Photo

The company said in a blog post that it has also signed on food ordering services such as EatStreet, Delivery.com, DoorDash and Olo.

Users will have to go to the “order food” section on Facebook’s “explore” menu, which will show them a list of participating restaurants in the vicinity through which they can place their order.

A year back, the company has said its US users would be able to order food through a restaurants’ Facebook page.

Facebook’s shares were up nearly 1% in early trading on Friday. Shares of food order and delivery service GrubHub dropped almost 3%.

GrubHub’s shares had also dropped last month after Amazon Restaurants teamed up with Olo, whose network of restaurants includes Applebee’s and Chipotle.

(CGTN)