Delivery vs Pickup

Hungry Canadian supports pickup and delivery orders. Delivery can be fulfilled by Hungry Canadian’s driver network or by your business. This guide explains what changes operationally and what customers expect.
Fulfillment • Operations
Delivery vs Pickup
Driver Network vs Self-Delivery

When to contact support

This page is public and intentionally avoids account-specific or sensitive configuration steps. For store-specific questions, contact support@hungrycanadian.ca.

The two fulfillment types customers can place

Pickup

Pickup orders are placed by customers for in-store collection.

What this means for merchants

  • Prepare the order.
  • Mark the order Ready when it can be handed to the customer.
  • Mark the order Completed after the customer has picked up the order.

What customers expect

  • Clear timing and a smooth handoff at the counter.
  • Accurate packaging and order completeness.

Delivery

Delivery orders are placed by customers for delivery to a customer address.

How delivery is fulfilled

  • Delivery by Hungry Canadian: a driver is dispatched through the Hungry Canadian driver network.
  • Delivery by the merchant: your business delivers the order using your own staff/process (self-delivery).

What this means for merchants

  • Prepare and package the order for transport.
  • Mark the order Ready only when it is ready to hand off.
  • Mark the order Completed when required to close the order flow (pickup is not involved; completion depends on who delivers).

Delivery by Hungry Canadian vs merchant self-delivery

Delivery by Hungry Canadian (driver network)

Hungry Canadian dispatches a driver to collect the order and deliver it to the customer.

What merchants are responsible for

  • Prepare the order and package it securely for transport.
  • Mark the order Ready only when it is fully prepared and can be handed to the driver immediately.
  • Hand off the correct order to the driver.

What happens after Ready

  • A driver collects the order.
  • The order status typically updates to Completed when the driver completes delivery.

If a delivery issue occurs, contact support@hungrycanadian.ca.

Delivery by the merchant (self-delivery)

Your business delivers the order using your own staff or delivery process.

What merchants are responsible for

  • Prepare the order and package it securely.
  • Mark the order Ready when it is ready to leave your store.
  • Deliver the order using your own staff/process.
  • Mark the order Completed after it has been delivered to close the order flow.

If you are unsure which fulfillment method applies to an order, contact support@hungrycanadian.ca.

What happens when no driver is available

For orders intended for delivery by Hungry Canadian, driver availability can vary by time of day and local demand.

  • The order may remain in a waiting state while the system attempts to source a driver.
  • In some cases, the order may be canceled to prevent excessive delays.

If you are unsure how to proceed for a specific order, contact support@hungrycanadian.ca.

Pickup-only mode

Some merchants operate in pickup-only mode (no delivery).

  • Customers can place orders for pickup only.
  • Drivers are not assigned because delivery is not offered.

If you want to change whether your store offers pickup, delivery, or both, contact support@hungrycanadian.ca.

Customer expectations

Pickup expectations

  • “If it says Ready, I can pick it up immediately.”
  • “Prep time reflects when it will actually be ready.”

Delivery expectations

  • “If delivery is offered, someone will bring it to me.”
  • “If I ordered delivery, the restaurant is preparing it and a driver is on the way.”

When delivery is merchant self-delivery, customers still perceive Hungry Canadian as the ordering platform. Clear execution protects your store’s reputation.

What merchants are responsible for (quick reference)

Always (pickup and delivery)

  • Accurate preparation and packaging.
  • Following modifiers and notes.
  • Marking orders Ready only when truly ready for handoff.
  • Customer-safe packaging (sealed, labeled, and stable for transport).

Completion requirements

  • Pickup orders: mark Completed after pickup.
  • Delivery (Hungry Canadian driver network): typically updates to Completed when the driver completes delivery.
  • Delivery (merchant self-delivery): mark Completed after delivery.

Escalation for delivery issues

For driver-network delivery issues, contact support@hungrycanadian.ca.

Custom checkout (limited use cases)

In some cases, Hungry Canadian supports custom checkout flows for merchant-specific needs that do not fit standard pickup or delivery ordering.

  • Orders that require custom details that cannot be finalized at checkout (for example, floral arrangements or made-to-order items).
  • A checkout that collects order information before confirming pricing.
  • A quote or request form instead of a final payment method.

Custom checkouts are built to the merchant’s use case and are not enabled by default. If you believe your business requires this, contact support@hungrycanadian.ca.

Common misconceptions (and the correction)

  • “Hungry Canadian always handles delivery.”
    Hungry Canadian can deliver orders through its driver network, but some stores deliver using their own team. The fulfillment method determines who delivers.
  • “If a driver doesn’t show up, the merchant is at fault.”
    Driver availability and dispatch depend on local conditions. If you have a driver-related issue, contact support.
  • “Ready means the order is being worked on.”
    Ready means the order is complete and can be handed off immediately.

FAQ

How do I know if an order is delivery or pickup?

Your orders list indicates whether an order is pickup or delivery. If you cannot confirm, contact support@hungrycanadian.ca.

Do I need to mark Completed for delivery orders?

  • Hungry Canadian driver delivery: typically updates to Completed when the driver completes delivery.
  • Merchant self-delivery: mark Completed after delivery to close the order flow.

What should I do if a customer says their driver never arrived?

If it is a Hungry Canadian driver delivery, contact support@hungrycanadian.ca with your store name and the order reference.