Delivery drone maker Wing’s love affair with e-commerce platform Doordash is set to expand into Charlotte, North Carolina, to mark the latest milestone in an ongoing partnership focused on bringing faster, more efficient, and drone-based sustainable food delivery options to customers.
DoorDash customers within about four miles of The Arboretum Shopping Center in southern Charlotte have already started experiencing the option of having their orders delivered by drone.
Wing and DoorDash’s partnership stretches all the way back to Australia in 2022, when the two launched drone-based deliveries in Queensland.
Since then, the partnership has expanded to the US, with drone delivery service available to DoorDash customers in parts of Southwest Virginia, the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, and now – tens of thousands of deliveries later – Charlotte.
DoorDash and Wing plan to expand to additional neighbourhoods later this year.
“Autonomous delivery will help shape the future of local logistics, and we’re proud to introduce drone delivery to Charlotte for the first time with Wing,” said Harrison Shih, Head of Product for DoorDash Labs.
“What makes this launch special isn’t just the technology, it’s the experience. Whether it’s your favorite Panera sandwich, a savory snack from DashMart, or a local matcha latte on DoorDash, there’s something special about watching your order arrive by air in minutes.
"DoorDash and Wing aren’t just delivering faster, we’re delivering what’s next.”
The company added that its partnership with Wing was born out of DoorDash Labs, DoorDash’s robotics and automation arm, which focuses on identifying and integrating autonomous solutions that can enhance the customer experience, drive increased demand for local merchants, and create more earning opportunities for Dashers.
“We are committed to continuously redefining convenience and unlocking innovative ways to enhance the Panera experience, and we’re thrilled to partner with DoorDash and Wing on this pilot,” said Meenakshi Nagarajan, Chief Digital Officer, Panera Bread.
“This partnership offers a cutting-edge way to deliver the quality and craveability that our guests know and love, right to their doorstep.”
Wing launched America’s first commercial drone delivery service in rural Virginia in 2019, and three years later brought the service into a major US metro for the first time in Dallas-Fort Worth, in the state of Texas.
Today, the Alphabet company is expanding access to even more communities, partnering with DoorDash to power drone delivery of local favorites across Charlotte.
In addition to food delivery, Charlotte residents in select locations can now enjoy the convenience of DashMart with the speed of drone delivery thanks to DashMart by Drone – a specialised DashMart offering that includes a selection of drinks, snacks, medicine, and more available for quick and easy drone delivery in minutes.
In the first days, the commerce giant is also teaming up with local brands Life Raft Treats, Appalachia Cookie Co, and Cheerwine for a limited-time giveaway featuring a curated bundle of their fan-favorite items, all delivered by drone.
“Charlotte is a city that embraces technology solutions to big transportation challenges,” Wing CEO Adam Woodworth said.
“We’re incredibly excited to launch Wing’s drone delivery service there and we’re grateful for the warm welcome we’ve received from the city and its residents.”
To get started with drone delivery on DoorDash, eligible residents browsing the DoorDash app will notice the “Drone” icon on the homepage of their app. Tapping that will let them browse restaurants eligible for drone delivery.
If the items they choose meet the size and weight criteria, shoppers will have the option to select drone delivery during checkout. After confirming their delivery location, they’ll receive live tracking updates as the drone approaches.
Charlotte residents can check their address for eligibility at wing.com/charlotte.
Anyone who isn’t eligible today can join the waitlist to be notified when drone delivery expands to their neighborhood.
“We’ve owned and operated The Arboretum Shopping Center, one of Charlotte’s most well-established and well-known retail centers, for over 30 years,” said Paul Herndon, President of American Asset Corporation.
“It is incredibly exciting and quite an honor for it to now host the very first Wing and DoorDash drone delivery operation in North Carolina.”
