Grubhub’s ‘Free Lunch’ Promo in NYC Went Predictably Haywire | Eater
"A same-day lunchtime promotion offered a $15 discount with the promo code “FREELUNCH” for orders placed between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., though customers remained liable for any applicable taxes, fees, and optional tips. The rollout was chaotic: the app and website began crashing within minutes, payments were rejected, error messages proliferated, and many restaurants closed orders as demand spiked, with redemptions reported at six times a similar 2021 promotion and peaks of about six thousand orders per minute. Restaurants struggled with piled-up orders awaiting couriers and some owners said they were not fully notified in advance despite the company’s claim of outreach; frustrated users took to social media while the service issued perfunctory acknowledgments and reminders to place last-minute orders. Observers placed the fiasco in a broader context of delivery platforms using aggressive promotions to regain business amid falling demand and profitability challenges, noting that glitchy, last-minute discounts risk damaging relationships with restaurant partners even as the lure of “free lunch” draws heavy consumer interest." - Bettina Makalintal
