CHARLOTTE, N.C. — DoorDash and Wing have launched a new drone delivery service in Charlotte, marking the city’s first use of drones to deliver fast food. Starting today, customers near The Arboretum Shopping Center can order meals from local restaurants like Curry Junction and national chains such as Panera Bread. Deliveries arrive in as little as 15 minutes by drone.
This launch expands a partnership that began in Australia in 2022 and has since grown to include areas in Virginia and Dallas.
How the Drone Delivery Works
Wing’s drones fly at speeds up to 65 miles per hour and can reach heights of 2,010 feet. Packages are loaded at a local hub. Orders must meet size and weight limits to ensure safe delivery. Once the drone takes off, it flies to the customer’s address, hovers about 23 feet above the ground, and lowers the package using a tether. Customers can track their delivery live through the DoorDash app, which shows a “Drone” icon for eligible orders within a 4-mile radius of the hub. After delivering, the drone returns to its base and lands on a contact charger for a quick recharge.
Benefits for Charlotte’s Food Scene
The service provides fast and convenient delivery of a wide range of items, from matcha lattes to Panera’s mac & cheese. As part of a promotional offer, customers can get Panera items for $1 through May 28, 2025. DashMart by Drone also offers quick delivery of snacks, drinks, and medicine. Local businesses benefit from greater exposure and demand, with brands like Life Raft Treats and Cheerwine featured in special drone-delivered bundles.
Meenakshi Nagarajan, Chief Digital Officer at Panera Bread, said, “We’re thrilled to partner with DoorDash and Wing on this pilot,” highlighting the innovative way their products are reaching customers.
North Carolina’s Support for Drone Technology
Charlotte’s drone delivery launch reflects North Carolina’s supportive stance on commercial drone use. The state has cleared federal environmental reviews that allow drones to operate commercially.
“Charlotte is a city that embraces technology solutions to big transportation challenges,” said Adam Woodworth, CEO of Wing, who credited local support for making the rollout possible.
This positive environment helps foster partnerships between the public and private sectors, placing Charlotte alongside Dallas-Fort Worth—a major hub for Wing’s Walmart drone deliveries—as a leader in urban drone logistics.
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