Postmates

Postmates is an American-based company that offers local delivery of restaurant-prepared meals and other goods. As a pioneer in the on-demand delivery industry, Postmates has significantly influenced the evolution of the gig economy.

History

Postmates was founded in 2011 by Bastian Lehmann, Sam Street, and Sean Plaice. The company's initial focus was on small-scale, urban courier services, but it quickly expanded to include food delivery from restaurants that did not traditionally offer delivery services.

Services

Postmates operates a network of couriers who deliver goods locally. Customers use the Postmates app to place orders from participating businesses. The platform then dispatches a courier to pick up and deliver the order. The company's delivery service is available 24/7 and covers a wide range of products, including restaurant meals, groceries, and personal items.

Business Model

Postmates operates on a freemium business model. While the app is free to download, customers pay a delivery fee for each order. Postmates also offers a subscription service, Postmates Unlimited, which provides free delivery for orders over a certain amount.

Impact

Postmates has had a significant impact on the gig economy. By providing flexible work opportunities, it has contributed to the rise of the freelance economy. However, it has also faced criticism for its treatment of workers, with concerns raised about low pay and lack of benefits.

See Also

• DoorDash
• Uber Eats
• Grubhub
• Instacart