Three Ways to Run Delivery: In-House, Hybrid, and Managed Third-Party
In-house, hybrid or managed third-party delivery: how each model works, when it fits, and how Qu restaurants can run all three with Cartwheel.
Restaurant brands run first-party delivery in one of three ways: with their own drivers, with a mix of their own drivers and third-party fleets, or with third-party providers alone. Each model needs different tools. Since April 2025, quick-service and fast-casual brands on Qu’s Unified Commerce Platform can run all three with Cartwheel.
The choice matters more each year. According to Qu’s 2025 State of Digital Report, 40% of restaurant brands expect first-party digital ordering to be their top revenue driver this year. Every one of those orders needs a delivery plan.
Model 1: In-house drivers
The brand employs its own drivers and controls every step of the delivery. This model suits brands with steady order volume, a defined delivery radius and a guest experience they want to protect end to end.
The operational burden sits with the store. Someone has to assign orders, plan routes and keep guests informed. Cartwheel’s Driver Management Suite covers that work with AI-powered auto-dispatch, routing tools and real-time tracking for guests.
Model 2: Hybrid delivery
The brand’s own drivers handle most orders, and third-party fleets take the rest. The split follows rules the brand sets, such as order value, distance and driver availability.
A common setup keeps high-value and nearby orders with in-house drivers, then sends long-distance orders or peak-hour overflow to a third-party provider. The brand keeps control of its core service without staffing for its busiest hour.
Model 3: Managed third-party delivery
The brand has no drivers of its own and relies on third-party delivery service providers. The risk here is dependence on a single provider’s price and availability.
Cartwheel’s Third-Party Delivery Management connects a brand to more than 50 delivery providers from one dashboard. Orchestration rules choose a provider for each order based on distance, cost and driver availability.
The three models side by side
| Model | Who delivers | Best fit | Cartwheel capability |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-house | Brand’s own drivers | Steady volume, defined radius | Driver Management Suite |
| Hybrid | Own drivers plus third-party fleets | Variable volume, peaks, wider radius | Hybrid Delivery rules |
| Managed third-party | Third-party providers only | No fleet, broad coverage needs | Third-Party Delivery Management, 50+ providers |
Many brands move between models as they grow. A brand can start with third-party providers, add drivers in its densest markets and run a hybrid model everywhere else.
What the Qu integration adds
Cartwheel’s delivery management tools are built into Qu’s Unified Commerce Platform, which combines ordering, operations and guest engagement for quick-service and fast-casual restaurants. Qu clients can add any of the three models without a separate integration project.
“Our customers are increasingly focused on maximizing their first-party ordering channels.”
Darien Bates, Chief Product Officer, Qu
Together, Cartwheel and Qu power seven of Food On Demand’s 2025 Outstanding Operators.
Frequently asked questions
What is hybrid delivery?
Hybrid delivery combines a restaurant’s own drivers with third-party fleets. Rules based on order value, distance and driver availability decide which orders each one fulfills.
Can restaurants on Qu use their own drivers?
Yes. Qu clients can use Cartwheel’s Driver Management Suite for in-house drivers, including auto-dispatch, routing and real-time tracking.
How many delivery providers can Cartwheel manage?
Cartwheel connects to more than 50 delivery providers from one dashboard.
To compare delivery models for your brand, book a demo with Cartwheel.