Grubhub scores a drone food delivery first in New Jersey as it kicks off three month pilot

Grubhub and Dexa have announced a three-month pilot involving ​food delivery services via drones to customers in Green Brook, ‌New Jersey.

In a LinkedIn post, Grubhub said: “This marks the first time commercial food delivery by drone will be available in the state and our first time offering drone delivery, thanks to our fully integrated programme with Dexa (Drone Express), launching 18th March at Wonder's Green Brook location.”

Customers within 2.5 miles will have the option to select drone delivery at no additional cost, enabled by Dexa’s DE‑2020 aircraft, one of only a handful of FAA Part 135 Air Carrier certified drone systems operating in the US.

“This initiative represents an important step toward advancing safe, efficient, and scalable last mile logistics,” Grubhub added.

Wonder

Wonder, a food delivery and technology startup founded in 2018 and fronted by former Walmart U.S. eCommerce executive, Marc Lore, recently opened its 100th location Stateside.

Mo Morrill, Vice President - Wonder - North America, said: “Being part of something that has never been done before is what motivated me to join Wonder. Our concept is just that and yesterday we did something else that’s never been done before. Opened our 100th location in less than three years of existence!”

He added: “So very proud to be part of this team. So proud of my teams. So proud of our leadership and the hundereds of people who are behind each of these openings. Thrilled to be part of the Annapolis MD and Huntington NY communities. 100 down, the next 100 starts next week with our first three Massachusetts locations.”

CEO Tony Hoggett, who joined from Amazon and has also worked at Tesco, added: “We opened our first store on the Upper West Side of NYC on 16th February 2023. Less than three years later, we're marking this 100th store opening in Huntington. To the entire Wonder team, I couldn't be prouder of all of your hard work and the incredible business we're building together. Cheers to Wonder's next 100!”

Lore has described Wonder as a kind of "Amazon for food and beverage". The aim is to revolutionise the food and restaurant space by building a super app for mealtimes, one that blends food delivery, AI powered nutrition, and smart tech.

The company last year bagged $600 million in a funding round backed by Google Ventures, for a post-funding valuation of $7 billion.

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Drone delivery will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.

Check out our 2025 winners here.

Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”

“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”

He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”

Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.