Restaurants shrink as food delivery apps get more popular

An UberEATS food delivery scooter is seen parked in London, Britain September 7, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall/File Photo

Don Fox, the chief executive officer of Firehouse of America LLC noticed something strange a couple of years ago: during the midday lunch rush, his sandwich shops were relatively empty, but sales were better than ever. “I'd be thinking, 'Boy, business must be pretty bad.’ But the numbers were telling me a different story.” 

People are still eating restaurant food – they're just not doing it at restaurants as much. Delivery apps from DoorDash Inc, Postmates Inc, GrubHub Inc and UberEats have made ordering in easier, and have changed the way food chains think about their business.