News Type: Press Releases

Grubhub Brings Grocery to its Marketplace with Mercato Partnership

Mercato’s inventory of nearly 1,000 independent grocery partners will be available on the Grubhub Marketplace

CHICAGO and SAN DIEGO, April 18, 2024 — Grubhub and Mercato, an online marketplace for independent grocery stores, have partnered to bring Mercato’s inventory of more than 950 merchants across the country to the Grubhub Marketplace. Customers can order from hundreds of locations today, with all merchants becoming available over the next few weeks. With this first-ever third-party delivery partnership for Mercato, Grubhub is expanding its Marketplace selection, and providing even greater value for its customers by now offering grocery, convenience and alcohol merchants. Mercato’s merchants can grow their business and e-commerce footprint with access to Grubhub’s millions of customers through this partnership, demonstrating the companies’ shared commitment to uplifting small businesses.

Mercato’s merchant partners span 38 states and over 320 cities, including New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Boston. Local favorites include Citarella, Kol Tuv Kosher Foods, Boston Public Market, and Eataly. Merchants pick and pack individual orders that are then picked up by customers or delivered by Grubhub’s fleet of drivers. Customers can choose from a diverse selection of merchants depending on their needs, including delis, seafood and produce markets, bakeries, butcher shops, natural foods stores, and more. 

“Grubhub started as a marketplace for independent restaurants, so it’s only fitting that as we expand into the grocery space it’s first with a partner that works with independent grocers,” said Craig Whitmer, vice president of new verticals at Grubhub. “By joining forces with local grocers, we’re not just delivering for our customers, but we’re delivering for small businesses to help grow their online presence. Our customers can now get more of what they need on Grubhub while Mercato’s merchants gain access and increased visibility among our customers.”

“This partnership represents a fantastic opportunity for Mercato merchants to reach new customers and grow their business through Grubhub’s extensive customer base,” said Bobby Brannigan, CEO and founder of Mercato. “We’ve developed a purposefully-built inventory management and order fulfillment platform for local grocers, seamlessly integrating with over 87 point-of-sale systems, thereby enabling merchants to effectively manage online orders. This collaboration will stimulate increased demand for our merchants, empowering them to capitalize on the efficient system we have developed to operate a profitable eCommerce business.”

“We’re thrilled to offer our wide selection of gourmet products, fresh produce, premium seafood and meats to even more customers through Mercato’s collaboration with Grubhub,” explained Pina Doria Soares, owner and controller of Grace’s Marketplace, an iconic neighborhood gourmet grocer on the Upper East Side. “We’re essentially expanding our online reach and increasing online sales without having to set up additional integrations, manage multiple platforms, or incur additional fees.”

“Small businesses are the fabric of our communities and the backbone of our economy. In today’s e-commerce landscape, it’s more important than ever for small businesses to have opportunities to grow through digital channels,” said Tom Sullivan, vice president of small business policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “We are thrilled that Grubhub and Mercato are building on their longstanding commitment to supporting small businesses and providing an innovative platform for merchants to connect with more customers, grow their businesses, and fuel our economy.” 

To order, customers will select the grocery button within the Grubhub app and on web where all available merchants will populate. All of Mercato’s merchant supply will be available on Grubhub+, Grubhub’s loyalty program that provides customers access to unlimited $0 delivery on eligible orders.

For independent grocery stores interested in participating in this opportunity, please visit www.mercato.com/merchant. 

About Grubhub

Grubhub is part of Just Eat Takeaway.com (LSE: JET, AMS: TKWY), and is a leading U.S. food ordering and delivery marketplace. Dedicated to connecting diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub elevates food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms, and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub features more than 355,000 merchants in over 4,000 U.S. cities.

About Mercato

Mercato is an eCommerce and local delivery platform that provides thousands of independently owned grocery stores across the country with the tools and technologies they need to stay competitive in the marketplace. Mercato was founded by Bobby Brannigan, the son of a neighborhood grocer in Brooklyn, who saw his father needed to modernize his inventory and delivery systems to stay in business and better serve his shoppers. For more information, visit Mercato.com.

*$0 delivery fees on orders that meet the applicable minimum order subtotal. Additional fees may apply and vary on orders.

Over $1 Million Distributed to New and Established Restaurants Nationwide From Grubhub and The Greg Hill Foundation’s Restaurant Strong Fund

BOSTON, MA –Grubhub and The Greg Hill Foundation’s Restaurant Strong Fund are pleased to announce over $1 million in grants have been distributed to 140 small business restaurants across the nation. Made possible by the Grubhub Community Fund, the latest cycle of the Restaurant Strong Grant aims to bolster new restaurants and long–standing establishments alike.

In their fourth year of partnership, the Restaurant Strong Fund and Grubhub continue to recognize the challenges faced by small businesses and remain dedicated to supporting their journey toward success. The latest grant cycle has taken a special interest in supporting new restaurants, those in operation for three years or less, giving more than $350,000 to aid in their introduction to the restaurant industry.

Independent restaurants play an essential role in the local communities nationally, offering not just meals but unique culinary experiences, fostering connections, and contributing to the economic vibrancy of our cities and towns. To date, the Restaurant Strong Fund and Grubhub have distributed over $17M in grants to restaurants across the nation.

The 140 selected grant recipients from this cycle will receive much–needed resources for their small businesses. Funds will assist a spectrum of needs including, technology upgrades, equipment enhancements, marketing and public relations services, staff training programs, incentivized wages, maintenance and updating to current infrastructure, and construction or expansion of outdoor seating areas.

The small business restaurants receiving grants from the Restaurant Strong Fund include:

New Restaurant Grant Recipients
$15,000 Grant Recipients
Awaze Ethio Fusion & Vegan, Artesia, CA
Casablanca Mediterranean Grill, Philadelphia, PA
Dong–ne: Korean Cuisine, Chicago, IL
Gotti’s, Houston, TX
Ojai Burger, Orange, CA
Plazita Mexico Tacos, Wakefield, MA
Tatit’s Mediterranean Saveur, West Fargo, ND
The Gumbo Gourmet, Atlanta, GA

$10,000 Grant Recipients
4th Street Standard, Steubenville, OH
An An, Portland, OR
Café on Eighth, Augusta, GA
Chimba, Miami, FL
Dim Sum King, Sunnyvale, CA
Il Milanese, Chicago, Il
Lily’s Soups and Scoops, Cranston, RI
Luckey’s BBQ Place, Marietta, GA
Michaux Brewing Company, Waynesboro, PA
Orchid House Café, Trenton, NJ
Pepper Pot Philly, Philadelphia, PA
Pleroma Cuisine, Laurel, MD
Tea Dojo, Vacaville, CA
$5,000 Grant Recipients 
Aji Omakase, Chicago, Il
Bab Al–Yemen Restaurant, Boston, MA
Bangkok Thai & Japanese Restaurant, Liverpool, NY
Bar Vianzo, Brooklyn, NY
Cozy Café Bakery & Bistro, Ellicott City, MD
Don & Gigi’s, Attleboro, MA
Fruitrition Smoothie and Fruit Bar, Ridgeland, MS
Gigi’s House of Pizza, West Bridgewater, MA
Goodtimes Brewery, Chicago, IL
Hardheads, Crystal Beach, TX
Hummingbird Nutritious Eats, Haverhill, MA
Kayode Restaurant Mirage, Brooklyn, NY
Meagwich, Milwaukee, WI
Ocean Prime, Maspeth, NY
Patty Palace, Oakland Park, FL
Pho King and Noodle Bar, Houston, TX
Pizza x, Astoria, NY
Playground ATX, Austin, TX
Sabor–NM Kitchen, Albuquerque, NM
Soriano’s Pizzeria, San Diego, CA
The Cheese Shop, Carrboro, NC
Zait & Za’atar, Saint Paul, MN

Established Restaurant Grant Recipients
$15,000 Grant Recipients
Blue Hawaii Lifestyle, Honolulu, HI
Fix & Repeat, Bend, OR
Genova Pizza, Audubon, NJ
Lakeview Café, Royersford, PA
Sunbliss Café, Corona, CA
The Other Side, Crystal Lake, IL
Stephens Heads or Tails, Marksville, LA
Tipicos Ay Caramba Restaurant, Houston, TX
Treats by TYGR, Pearland, TX
Yung’s Kitchen, Holly, MI

$10,000 Grant Recipients
Autumn Court Chinese Restaurant, Phoenix, AZ
Bites Restaurant, Forest Grove, OR
Brentwood Social House, Austin, TX
Casa Real Mexican Grill, Loveland, CO
Clifton’s Jamrock, Fairburn, GA
Comeketo Brazilian Steakhouse, Leominster, MA
Fresh–Twist, Steubenville, OH
Hue Asian Kitchen, Milwaukee, WI
LAN Hand–Pulled Noodles, Seattle, WA
Lemon Café, Deerfield Beach, FL
Lionhead, Seattle, WA
Maya Indian Bar & Grill, Wakefield, MA
McCall’s Chicken and Ribs, Sharon, PA
Neutral Ground, Chattanooga, TN
Pierogi Mountain, Columbus, OH
Quick Sub Mini Mart, Trenton, NJ
Romanian Garden, Sunnyside, NY
Seoul Sausage, Los Angeles, CA
Sobik’s Café at Maxwell Garden, Orlando, FL
Taqueria Los Portales, Chicago, IL
The Bayou, West Hollywood, CA
The Original Las Brisas Mexican Food, San Pedro, CA
The Slice Pizzeria, San Antonia, TX
The Stones Common House, Stoneham, MA
Time Café and Market, Alexandria, VA
V’s Italiano Ristorante, Independence, MO
Venture Sandwich Company, Ventura, CA

$5,000 Grant Recipients
702 Churros and More, Las Vegas, NV
Alex’s Fresh Kitchen, Casselberry, FL
Allegra California Café, Culver City, CA
Autentica Taqueria, Miami, FL
BHop Food, Watertown, MA
Cancun Mexican Restaurant, San Juan Capistrano, CA
Capezzuto’s Pizza, Pittsburgh, PA
Carroll’s Pizza, Raleigh, NC
Chamoun’s Way, Cliffside Park, NJ
Crazy 4 Falafel, Edison, NJ
Crazy Rock’N Sushi, Irvine, CA
El Viejito Mexican Restaurant, Wichita, KS
Pho World, Renton, WA
Encontro North Park, San Diego, CA
Essen Kitchen, Cincinnati, OH
Famous Uncle Al’s Dog House, Virginia Beach, VA
Fiskies Café, Dorchester, MA
foraged. a hyper seasonal eatery, Baltimore, MD
Fortune House, Annapolis, MD
Four Café, Los Angeles, CA
Good to Go, Evanston, IL
Grafton Grill, North Grafton, MA
Green Diamond Grille & Pub, Barberton, OH
Hillside Farmacy, Austin, TX
House of Falafel, Cupertino, CA
Inna’s Kitchen, Newton, MA
Jerk. Jamaican Barbecue, Chicago, IL
Kamara African Restaurant, Rochester, NY
L’Oca d’Oro, Austin, TX
Lalo Chino Latino, Cincinnati, OH
Las Brasas Charcoal Chicken, Houston, TX
Le No 2 Seafood, Houston, TX
Masu Sushi, Portland, OR
Mosun’s Kitchen, Gaithersburg, MD
Mr Bartley’s Burger Company, Cambridge, MA
New India Restaurant, Columbus, OH
North Street Grille, Boston, MA
Peachtree Grill, Nashville, TN
Pepperoni’s Café, New Orleans, LA
Pikey’s Pizza, Whittier, CA
Romano Pizza, Weehawken, NJ
Rome’s Pizza, San Antonio, TX
Seoul Eats, Fullerton, CA
STIX, San Francisco, CA
Sushi Kappo, Boston, MA
T&P Munchies, New Orleans, LA
Taqueria Amigo Chino, Chicago, IL
Taste of India, Freemont, CA
Tavolo Ristorante, Dorchester, MA
The Corner Beet, Denver, CO
The Draft Room at Berwick, Savannah, GA
The Fusion Café and Bar, Winooski, VT
The Landing Restaurant, Marblehead, MA
The Taste of Chicago, Chicago, IL
The Tiki Tavern, Safety Harbor, FL
Toffee Traditions, Highwood, IL
Zhivago Restaurant, Skokie, IL

For more information about The Restaurant Strong Fund and its commitment to supporting the restaurant industry, please visit www.restaurantstrong.org

About The Greg Hill Foundation’s Restaurant Strong Fund
The Greg Hill Foundation responds to the immediate needs of families that have been touched by tragedy. Since its inception in 2010, the foundation has provided over $29 million in grants to families and individuals in need. The Greg Hill Foundation’s Restaurant Strong Fund was established in March of 2020. The fund was created to help aid the Hospitality Industry as restaurants closed and employees were left out of work due to Covid–19. The Restaurant Strong Fund provides various grant opportunities available to Restaurant Employees and Restaurant Owners.

About Grubhub
Grubhub is part of Just Eat Takeaway.com (LSE: JET, AMS: TKWY), a leading global online food delivery marketplace. Dedicated to connecting more than 32 million diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub elevates food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub features more than 365,000 restaurant partners in over 4,000 U.S. cities.

New Grubhub Fund Added to the American Heart Association’s Chicago Social Impact Funds

Chicago, March 5, 2024 – Last year, 1 in 5 Chicago Metro area households and 1 in 4 households with children were considered food insecure[1]. As a social determinant of health, food insecurity can lead to numerous health problems, such as heart disease or high blood pressure[2].

The American Heart Association, which is marking one hundred years of service saving lives, today announced the addition of the Grubhub Fund to the Association’s Social Impact Funds in Chicago. This infusion of funding, supported by the Grubhub Community Fund, will in turn enable local organizations to tackle systemic social issues that affect food security and economic development with a focus on technology-driven solutions. The Grubhub Community Fund’s support will allow for several funding opportunities to social enterprises and nonprofits implementing innovative and scalable solutions to create meaningful change in local neighborhoods across Chicago and also New York through 2025.

“We are committed to strengthening the communities for our diners, restaurant partners and delivery partners,” said Brianna Morris, senior manager, community impact for Grubhub. “We are excited to support the American Heart Association’s Social Impact Funds and elevate this work through the Grubhub Community Fund. Supporting organizations working to create meaningful change in local communities is a key part of our work, especially in our hometown of Chicago.”

Local Chicago organizations are invited to submit a formal expression of interest to the Association’s Social Impact Funds through April 25, 2024. A window for New York area organizations will open later this Spring. Applicants can be at any business stage and can be non-profit or for-profit social enterprises. A virtual “town hall” information session will be held on March 13, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. Central. Community members and American Heart Association staff will unite to discuss the fund and application process to ensure available funds are focused to address the greatest local needs. Register here to join the discussion.

“Our mission to end cardiovascular disease is directly tied to addressing its root causes including social determinants of health,” said Brittany Walsh, region senior vice president and executive director for the American Heart Association in Chicago. “The Social Impact Funds provide critical funding helping empower local organizations to create scalable solutions that help provide access to health care, healthy food and other services to help overall resiliency that will ultimately lead to a healthier and more resilient community.”

The Oscar and Cathy Munoz Pave it Forward Foundation established the Association’s Social Impact Funds in Chicago in 2022. The Munoz’s gift along with support from the Tullman Family Office recently funded four Chicagoland organizations:

  • Care Advisors is a health care technology firm helping individuals gain rapid access to social services and vital healthcare by enabling interoperability and coordinating care amongst hospitals, community-based organizations clinical social workers and patients.
  • Connect Care Hero (CCH) addresses social isolation in older adults with a tech-enabled engagement platform for senior living that optimizes staff time, delivers curated health-focused content and monitors risks associated with age. CCH operates in more than 30 locations across Chicagoland and Southwest Florida.
  • DistrictZero (DZ) is a digital emotional health platform that aims to promote stronger social-emotional competencies, helping individuals manage their emotions and make responsible decisions. DZ has successfully piloted its platform across K-12 schools, bilingual classrooms, private health clinics and corporate mental health support workflows in the United States.
  • ProUnitas works with Title I schools to develop systems that address basic needs spanning the social determinants of health and connects students to the resources they might need. The Houston-based organization recently expanded into Chicago.

Since launching in 2018, the American Heart Association’s Social Impact Funds have supported more than 130 local social enterprises across the country. Learn more about the Association’s Social Impact Funds here.

Grubhub Expands Impact Program With New Strategic Partnerships

New report shows community impact deepened in 2023, including $1.4 Million to NYC nonprofits and more than $1.6M to nonprofits in company’s hometown of Chicago

Chicago, Feb. 27, 2024 – Grubhub invested $15 million in communities across the United States through the Grubhub Community Fund and other impact programs last year, the company revealed today in its 2023 Community Impact Report. The report also highlights that 45 states across the country and more than 500 organizations and causes were supported through Grubhub and Grubhub Community Fund programs.

Corporate programs and nonprofit partnerships, supported by the Grubhub Community Fund, drive Grubhub’s community impact efforts. Diners also contribute through the company’s Donate the Change* tool. Three key impact focus areas guide Grubhub’s impact work: helping to close the hunger gap, creating more opportunity in the hospitality industry, and supporting independent restaurants.

In recent years, Grubhub has evolved its community impact approach to better guide its overarching strategy, scale impact, and identify new partnership opportunities. In 2023, Grubhub deepened its community impact in key markets by: 

  • Providing More Grants to More Organizations. Grubhub supported more than 80 organizations through the Grubhub Community Fund – a 40% increase from 2022.
  • Expanding Hometown Impact. Grubhub invested in new partnerships across its impact focus areas, supporting nearly 100 Chicagoland community-based organizations through Grubhub and Grubhub Community Fund programs.
  • Scaling Food Recovery Efforts. Grubhub hit a new milestone in its food recovery effort, partnering to recover and redirect more than 40 million pounds of food to local food banks, pantries, and community organizations across the country.

“The communities where we operate are the very heart of our business, and we have a responsibility to help strengthen them in ways Grubhub is uniquely positioned to do,” said Dave Tovar, Senior Vice President of Communications & Government Relations at Grubhub. “I am extremely proud of how we supported restaurants, especially ones that are small businesses, in the past year, and am looking forward to expanding our impact in 2024. We have a lot of work ahead of us including the launch of new funding opportunities for nonprofits, expanding our efforts to create more opportunities in the hospitality industry, and engaging our delivery partners in our impact work.”

Along with supporting local communities on the national scale, Grubhub placed an emphasis on supporting neighbors in two key markets: New York City and Chicago. In New York City, the Grubhub Community Fund gave $1,420,000 to local nonprofits and distributed more than 132,000 meals through Grubhub and Grubhub Community Fund programs.

Within its hometown of Chicago, the Grubhub Community Fund gave more than $1,600,000 to local nonprofits and distributed almost 3,900,000 pounds of food distributed via food bank and pantry partners and recovered more than 5,200,000 pounds of food in partnership with FoodRecovery.org and Rescuing Leftover Cuisine.

To further support these markets, Grubhub’s announced a new relationship with the American Heart Association’s Social Impact Funds, which will support nonprofits and social enterprises driving innovative solutions to help address health and economic disparities. The Grubhub Community Fund intends to provide up to $2 million to the Association’s Social Impact Funds to support funding opportunities through 2025 to organizations working to create meaningful change in Chicago and New York City neighborhoods.

“As the American Heart Association celebrates 100 years of our life-saving mission, we know that to make a meaningful difference in our communities, we need to collaborate with the individuals and organizations who take action to bring about change,” said Marsha Jones, 2023-25 volunteer chairperson of the board for the American Heart Association, member of the Association’s Social Impact Funds Governance Committee and former executive vice president and chief diversity officer for The PNC Financial Services Group Inc. “The Grubhub Community Fund complements the efforts of the Association’s Social Impact Funds to change the face of health care and access so communities can be healthier.”

Grubhub is on a continuous journey to identify new opportunities that will strengthen and deepen its community impact. Read the 2023 Community Impact Report, and learn more about how Grubhub is engaging in strategic partnerships and funding impactful programs to make its operating communities a better place: https://about.grubhub.com/community/

*The Grubhub Community Fund is a donor advised fund at a national sponsoring organization. The Grubhub Community Fund is made possible through donations from our customers through our Donate the Change feature in the Grubhub app and website. Grubhub matches contributions on eligible orders from our Grubhub+ members.

Grubhub Grows Convenience Offering with CVS Pharmacy

Just in time for the start of daylight saving time, customers can score deals on health, wellness and other convenience items so they can spring forward with ease 

CHICAGO, Feb. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ —  Grubhub, a leading online mobile food ordering and delivery platform, is now offering inventory of thousands of wellness, beauty, household and other convenience items from CVS Pharmacy on the Grubhub Marketplace. More than 6,000 CVS locations are available on Grubhub across 48 states. 

With daylight saving time around the corner on March 10, Grubhub surveyed consumers to better understand the implications of the time change. 62% of respondents said they feel the effects of the time change for at least a week, and 51% said the time change makes them tired for a few days.* So to help customers spring forward with ease and fight any grogginess from losing that hour of sleep, Grubhub is delivering a little bit of joy with a Daylight Saving Essentials promotion where customers can score free health and wellness favorites to help them bounce back from that hour less of sleep.

From March 9 to March 13, customers who order from CVS Pharmacy on Grubhub can get a free item from an assortment of Daylight Saving Essentials with delivery orders of $20 or more.** You can find the Daylight Saving Essentials as a special menu category from CVS on Grubhub featuring energy-boosting must-haves including coffee, protein bars, tea, supplements and more. The discount will automatically be applied at checkout. Customers who are members of Grubhub+ will get access to $0 delivery fees on eligible orders from CVS Pharmacy.

“We’re proud to further establish our convenience offering with CVS Pharmacy — a beloved household name — and give customers more access to thousands of items from a store near them,” said Ariella Kurshan, senior vice president of growth and marketing at Grubhub. “There’s never been a better time to add CVS Pharmacy to our roster so that customers can stock up on all the health and wellness essentials to keep them going this winter and beyond.”

CVS Pharmacy is the latest convenience offering on Grubhub’s Marketplace, joining GoPuff, Rite Aid, and 7-Eleven.

About Grubhub

Grubhub is part of Just Eat Takeaway.com (LSE: JET, AMS: TKWY), and is a leading U.S. food ordering and delivery marketplace. Dedicated to connecting diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub elevates food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms, and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub features more than 355,000 merchants in over 4,000 U.S. cities. 

*Survey findings based on a 2023 Grubhub consumer survey

**Terms apply. Available for delivery orders from participating CVS locations on the Grubhub platform (including Seamless). Order subtotal must be at least $20 (before tax, tip, and fees). Discount only applicable to items within the ‘Daylight Savings Essentials’ category. Limit one (1) use per diner. Users remain responsible for any applicable tax, fees, and optional tip. Available 3/9/2024 12:00 AM local time – 3/13/2024 11:59 PM local time

My Place Hotels Enhances Guest Experience Through Partnership with Grubhub

ABERDEEN, S.D., Feb. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ —My Place Hotels of America is partnering with Grubhub, a leading online and mobile food ordering and delivery platform, to upgrade guests’ dining experience at its hotels. Guests of My Place Hotels can order from Grubhub’s network, which includes more than 365,000 restaurants and convenience stores, for delivery directly to the hotel, with $0 delivery fees on eligible orders. The partnership is available at all participating My Place Hotels across the U.S.

Through the partnership, My Place guests can order on Grubhub via geolocation and QR codes around each property, directing them to the Grubhub Marketplace. The hotel location and courier drop-off instructions automatically populate at checkout for maximum ease of use. Guests who affiliate with their hotel will receive one free month of Grubhub+, Grubhub’s loyalty program that provides customers access to unlimited $0 delivery on orders of $12+. This benefit is aimed at further elevating the guest experience. 

“One of the highlights of travel is savoring the local cuisine and exploring new flavors, and now My Place guests will have the chance to enjoy those options from the comfort of their hotel room without having to pay delivery fees,” said Matt Campbell, COO of My Place Hotels of America. “As the hospitality industry continues to find ways to add customer-focused services and stay on top of what’s most important, convenience is key.”

“When you’re on the road away from home, the last thing you want to deal with is finding great restaurant options in a new place,” said Rob DelaCruz, vice president and general manager of Onsite Hospitality at Grubhub. “With this integration, we’re making it easier than ever for hotel guests to get a meal, snacks or convenience items delivered right to their hotel.”

Consistent with this emphasis on convenience, My Place has always been ahead of the curve, featuring rooms with fully equipped kitchens. This longstanding amenity caters to the needs of guests, offering them the ease of storing and reheating leftovers, and thus enriching their stay.

About My Place Hotels of America, LLC

My Place Hotels of America, LLC (“My Place Hotels”) is a hotel franchisor focusing on franchising clean and comfortable hotels with modern rooms, amenities, and excellent customer service, all at an affordable price. The company is based in Aberdeen, SD, and offers two hotel brand options to potential and current franchisees. There are 70 My Place Hotels open across 29 states with over 120 hotels in the pipeline. For more information on franchising with My Place or to book your next stay, please visit myplacehotels.com/franchising or contact Terry Kline at (605) 725-5685.

Grubhub’s 2023 Delivered Trend Report Reveals Ordering Was All About ‘Doing it for the Vibes’ as Diners Found Joy in the Unconventional

From 10 million coffee beverages ordered after 5pm, to over 53 million items ordered with added spice, the year was marked by bold choices and breaking the norms

CHICAGO, DECEMBER 12, 2023 – Today, Grubhub launches its annual retrospective, the 2023 Delivered report, which analyzes millions of orders from diners across the U.S. to uncover the biggest food and beverage trends of the year. 

While last year’s biggest trend was diners seeking comfort wrapped in a warm burrito, in 2023 ‘doing it for the vibes’ was a way of life as diners found joy in stepping out of their comfort zones and breaking conventions, such as embracing pineapple on pizza and ordering salads with a side of fries.

Let’s Unwrap the Top Vibes that Brought Joy to Diners in 2023

IT’S GIVING FIRE: SCOVILLE SCALES WENT OFF THE CHARTS
In 2023, over 53 MILLION items were ordered with added spice. Classic favorites like Sriracha were added over 91,000 times, and buffalo chicken wings came in first as the most ordered wing flavor followed by lemon pepper, BBQ, Teriyaki and Garlic Parmesan. 

Top 5 Spicy Dishes Ordered in 2023

  • Spicy potato soft tacos 
  • Spicy chicken sandwich
  • Spicy tuna roll
  • Hot and sour soup
  • Drunken noodles

To celebrate buffalo chicken wings claiming the title as the most popular wing order of the year, Buffalo Wild Wings and Buffalo Wild Wings Go are offering 50% OFF one wing menu item, up to $10 off ($30 minimum order). This exclusive offer is valid for today only (12/12). No promo code is needed as the offer will automatically be applied at check-out on eligible Buffalo Wild Wings orders in the Grubhub app, one redemption per diner. Terms of use available here.

Fun chicken wing fact: Flats remain on top, being ordered 10 times more than drums.

IT’S GIVING FIZZ: WORK BREAKS HIT DIFFERENT WITH A DIET SODA
The #dietcokebreak trended with over 43 million views on TikTok, and people rushed to Grubhub to get their fix with in-office orders of Diet Coke increasing by 17% in 2023.

Top 5 Sodas Ordered in 2023:

  • Diet Coke
  • Coke
  • Sprite
  • Dr. Pepper
  • Ginger Ale

IT’S GIVING MIDNIGHT OIL: CAFFEINE CRAVINGS WENT AFTER HOURS
People were winding up, not winding down this year with over 10 MILLION coffee beverages ordered after 5 p.m. 

Top 5 Coffee Beverages Ordered in 2023:

  • Iced Coffee
  • Caramel Frappe
  • Mocha Frappe
  • Cappuccino
  • Hot Coffee

IT’S GIVING MOO: REAL MILK CAME BACK WITH REAL DRIP
This year, cows had a comeback as dairy in coffee beverages had a 20% increase and whole milk took the lead among the top 3 dairy orders followed by 2% milk, and chocolate milk.

IT’S GIVING CARBS: FRENCH FRIES BROUGHT BALANCE TO SALADS
Over 600,000 customers ordered their salad paired with french fries in 2023. While prior years were all about wellness, in 2023 we didn’t just settle for salads alone, but embraced our favorite part of the meal: the french fry – making it the top ordered side dish of 2023. 

Top 5 French Fry Styles Ordered in 2023: 

  • Classic cut
  • Waffle fries 
  • Cheese fries
  • Sweet potato fries
  • Curly fries

IT’S GIVING ALOHA: PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA GOES MAINSTREAM
In the spirit of ‘doing it for the vibes’, people didn’t hold back especially when it came to their pizza. In 2023, Hawaiian Pizza lovers ordered pineapple with pride. This topping on pizza rose 33% since last year – yum?

Top 5 Pizza Orders in 2023:

  • Cheese Pizza
  • Margherita Pizza
  • Pepperoni Pizza
  • Buffalo Chicken Pizza
  • Hawaiian Pizza

IT’S GIVING TANGY: FROM FOOD TO FASHION, PICKLES WERE ON EVERYTHING
Pickles had the largest increase since last year with an 89% increase, totaling over 6.9 MILLION pickles ordered in 2023. People embraced their love of pickles – from food to fashion (if you own the viral pickle sweatshirt, we see you) – and put the salty, briny indulgences on everything.

Ready to get some joy delivered?
Amazon Prime members can get a year of Grubhub+ for free (valued at $120/year). Enjoy unlimited $0 delivery fees on eligible orders and access to other exclusive offers year-round. Use code DECEMBER30 for 30% off three Grubhub delivery orders of $15+ (up to $15 off) now through 12/23 when you sign up for Grubhub+ through Amazon Prime. It’s the gift that keeps giving! Learn more, here.

Curious about your own 2023 Delivered report? Today, Grubhub is also sending diners their customized recap report that unwraps their individual ordering journey throughout the year.

Follow @Grubhub on X, Instagram, and TikTok. 

For more information on Grubhub, visit https://about.grubhub.com/. 

About Grubhub
Grubhub is part of Just Eat Takeaway.com (LSE: JET, AMS: TKWY), and is a leading U.S. food ordering and delivery marketplace. Dedicated to connecting diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub elevates food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms, and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub features more than 365,000 restaurant partners in over 4,000 U.S. cities. 

The Grubhub Community Fund and Greg Hill Foundation’s Restaurant Strong Fund Provide $750,000 in Grants to Restaurants Nationwide

The Greg Hill Foundation’s Restaurant Strong Fund and Grubhub are pleased to announce $750,000 in grants have been distributed to 117 restaurants across the nation. A portion of grant funds were dedicated to supporting new businesses around the nation as well as restaurants in Chicago and New York City. The program will award $135,000 to Chicago-area restaurants and $125,000 to New York City restaurants. An additional $290,000 will be distributed in other cities across the country to new businesses open for three years or less.

Small business restaurants play an essential role in the social tapestry of local communities by offering unique culinary experiences, fostering connections, and contributing to the economic vitality of our cities and towns. The Restaurant Strong Fund and Grubhub recognize the challenges faced by these establishments and remain dedicated to supporting their journey towards renewal and success. To date, the program has provided almost $17M in grants to restaurants across the nation.

The 117 restaurants selected to receive grants from the Restaurant Strong Fund will be provided with much-needed resources for their small business. These funds will assist in updating technology, updating equipment, marketing and public relations services, staff training programs, staff incentivized wages, maintenance/updating of current infrastructure, and construction or addition of outdoor seating. These restaurants all are small businesses, having only a single location, and are currently operating in the United States.

The 117 small business restaurants receiving grants from the Restaurant Strong Fund are:

$10,000 Grant Recipients

  • Amarit Thai and Sushi Chicago, IL 
  • Aroy Thai Restaurant Chicago, IL 
  • Arslans Gyros San Diego, CA 
  • Bourbon’s Kitchen and Cocktails Framingham, MA
  • Blue Adobe Grille Mesa, AZ
  • China Chef Bistro Phoenix, AZ
  • Classics flowers and Confections Cypress, CA
  • Eighty Eight Eggs Chicago, IL
  • Enso Sushi & Bar Chicago, IL
  • Fat Doughnut Brooklyn, NY
  • Figure Eight New York, NY
  • FishScale Washington DC
  • Granny’s Country Café Visalia, CA
  • Gruit by Abe’s Brooklyn, NY
  • Harvest Café Staten Island, NY
  • It’s All Good: Southern Kitchen Burlington, NC
  • Kickin’ Hot Chicken Chino, CA
  • Kokonut Grill Richmond, VA
  • Krackin Cajun Seafood House Joplin, MO
  • Little Crepe Café Cambridge, MA
  • Lobster Joint Brooklyn, NY
  • Milktopia San Francisco, CA
  • Okonomi Asian Grill Fairfax, VA
  • Parlor Kitchen Orlando, FL
  • Pharaohs Mediterranean Sandwiches   San Francisco, CA
  • Red Pig Asian Kitchen Chicago, IL
  • Sage Alley Brewery & Grille Coopersburg, PA
  • Sweet Pit BBQ & Seafood Hampton, GA
  • Sweetly, Shealy Camilla, GA
  • Tango Mango Inc Newton, MA
  • Thai Café Downers Grove, IL
  • The Grove Beverage Café Petoskey, MI
  • Warren HQ Philadelphia, PA

$5,000 Grant Recipients

  • 1308 Chicago Chicago, ILK
  • Amir’s Falafel Studio City, CA
  • Antonio’s Deli 2 LLC Philadelphia, PA
  • Baba’s Original New York System Providence, RI
  • Bailey Seafood Buffalo, NY
  • Bella LuLus Corp Jamaica, NY
  • Bellancino’s Pizza & Grinders Findlay, OH
  • Blue Fez Inc Salem, MA
  • Bo’s Schnitzelbunker Village of Pewaukee, WI
  • Brauhaus Schmitz Philadelphia, PA
  • BuenoMalo Andover, MA
  • C’s Waffles Titusville, FL
  • Café Gigu East Boston, MA
  • Caribbean Soul Kitchen Los Angeles, CA
  • Channel Islands Juice Company Ventura, CA
  • Charlies Creole Kitchen Dallas, TX
  • CheSa’s Bistro & Bar Chicago, IL
  • Dao Thai Restaurant Chicago, IL
  • Domy Pizza Bronx, NY
  • Echigo Home Cook San Francisco, CA
  • El Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant New York, NY
  • Feng Cha Las Vegas, NV
  • Fryers Roadside Silver Spring, MD
  • Georgia Soulfood Chicago, IL
  • Greenwich Pita and Grill Mason, OH
  • Hue Chicago Chicago, IL
  • Ivy Kitchen Detroit, MI
  • Johnny’s Taphouse and Grill Tarpon Springs, FL
  • Juicy Tails Fayetteville, AR
  • KOY Boston, MA
  • Kusanya Café Chicago, IL
  • La Guadalupe Restaurant Corp New York, NY
  • Lan Hand-Pulled Noodles Seattle, WA
  • Le Sud Chicago, IL
  • Lindsey’s Hospitality House and BBQ North Little Rock, AR
  • Loyola Pizza Los Angeles, CA
  • Luna Pizza Longwood, FL
  • Mad Bulldogs Hot Chicken Los Angeles, CA
  • Marbabellos Pizza Philadelphia, PA
  • Marcela Cocina Mexicana Brooklyn, NY
  • Margon Restaurant New York, NY
  • Master Shin Korean Plate San Jose, CA
  • Mexicali Sushi Bar East Boston, MA
  • Mr Chi Boba & Tea Las Vegas, NV
  • New Berlin Brewing Company North Canton, OH
  • Nkasso Food Allentown, PA
  • Izakaya Noname Long Island City, NY
  • Nu Crepes Elmhurst, IL
  • Oscar’s Kitchen Corp Bronx, NY
  • Paleo Treats Inc San Diego, CA
  • Pate Palo Bar and Grill New York, NY
  • Pega Grill Miami, FL
  • Pho Hana Diamond Bar, CA
  • Pippilocca/Il Passatore Asotria, NY
  • Pizzeria Rustico Boston, MA
  • Poke Bowl Tropical Atlantic City, NJ
  • Pub 6T5 New Bedford, MA
  • Queeni Kabobs Rancho Cucamonga, CA
  • Real Thai Cuisine Cranberry Twp, PA
  • Ristorante Ideale San Francisco, CA
  • Royal Thai Chicago, IL
  • Seven Bar and Restaurant Chicago, IL
  • Shawarma Grill Portland, OR
  • Shawarma Shack Chesapeake, VA
  • Southern Belle Atlanta, GA
  • Spring Asian Cuisine Spring TX
  • Star of Siam Chicago, IL
  • Straycat Kitchen Pasadena, CA
  • Sugar Wood New York, NY
  • Sushi Coast Webster, TX
  • SUteiShi Japanese Restaurant New York, NY
  • Tandy’s Pub & Grille Concord, NH
  • Tealicious Lincoln Park Chicago, IL
  • The Black Whale Bronx, NY
  • The Cupcake Parlor Clarksboro, NJ
  • The Jersey Spot Pizza and Pasta Kissimmee, FL
  • The Soul Spot Restaurant Brooklyn, NY
  • Tiparos Thai Cuisine & Sushi Bar Chicago, IL
  • Urban Vegan Chicago, IL
  • UThai Rego Park, NY
  • Vinateria New York, NY
  • What’s the Dill Detroit, MI
  • Winnie’s Manayunk Philadelphia, PA
  • Zhivago Restaurant  Skokie, IL

For more information about The Restaurant Strong Fund and its commitment to supporting the restaurant industry, please visit www.restaurantstrong.org

About The Greg Hill Foundation’s Restaurant Strong Fund

The Greg Hill Foundation responds to the immediate needs of families that have been touched by tragedy. Since its inception in 2010, the foundation has provided over $28 million in grants to families and individuals in need. The Greg Hill Foundation’s Restaurant Strong Fund was established in March of 2020. The fund was created to help aid the Hospitality Industry as restaurants closed and employees were left out of work due to Covid-19. The Restaurant Strong Fund provides various grant opportunities available to Restaurant Employees and Restaurant Owners.

About Grubhub

Grubhub is part of Just Eat Takeaway.com (LSE: JET, AMS: TKWY), a leading global online food delivery marketplace. Dedicated to connecting more than 32 million diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub elevates food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub features more than 365,000 restaurant partners in over 4,000 U.S. cities.

Grubhub Launches Gold Days of Grubhub+, an Exclusive Five Week Event Offering Members More Perks and Rewards Than Ever Before

Grubhub+ members can enjoy access to over 1,000 top-tier offers, including high-value discounts on some of the most craved restaurants across the U.S.

Today, Grubhub is kicking off its first-ever member appreciation month, Gold Days of Grubhub+, a five week event that gives members some of the best offers yet. From October 17 – November 22, 2023, members will be rewarded with even more value through enticing deals from fan-favorites like BOGO Chipotle burritos, half-off KFC chicken sandwiches on National Chicken Sandwich Day, and free menu items from Wendy’s, Taco Bell, Burger King and more. 

Gold Days of Grubhub+ comes on the heels of the recent revamp of Grubhub’s already popular loyalty subscription program Grubhub+, which now comes with even more savings and rewards including lower service fees and a 5% credit back on all eligible pick-up orders. In the coming months, members will receive additional benefits including milestone rewards, access to Gold Status in the Fuel Rewards program at Shell, and more special savings events.

Gold Days of Grubhub+ Deals Guide
Below are some of the most exciting deals, with hundreds of more available to Grubhub+ members.* Visit Grubhub.com/Gold-Days to see full details and offers and sign up to become a member by visiting Grubhub.com/plus.** 

Week 1 (Oct. 17 – 25): Enjoy Oodles of Noodles in Celebration of National Pasta Month
Gold Days of Grubhub+ is kicking off with carb-loaded, saucy meal deals to celebrate national pasta month. Select deals include: 

  • Carrabba’s Italian Grill: Buy one, get one 50% off spaghetti or lasagna (up to $10), with orders $16+  
  • Chili’s: 50% off Ultimate Cajun Pasta (up to $11), with orders $25+ 
  • Maggiano’s Little Italy: $5 off when purchasing a classic or specialty pasta, with orders $25+  
  • Noodles & Company: $10 off orders $30+ 

Fun Fact: Last national pasta month, Grubhub orders proved that red sauce reigned supreme with orders up 26% over white sauce and penne alla vodka was the most ordered pasta dish. 

Week 2 (Oct. 26 – Nov. 1): Keep Candy Bowls and Bellies Full this Halloween
Grubhub has you covered with a range of frighteningly delicious food discounts and enough candy deals to go around for all the trick or treaters. Select deals include:

  • 7-Eleven: $10 off orders $20+
  • Papa John’s: 30% off orders $30+ (up to $10) 
  • Gopuff: $5 off orders $25+ 
  • Insomnia Cookies: $5 off orders $25+ 
  • Burger King: Free Ghost Pepper Whopper (up to $10) with orders $20+ 

Fun fact: Last Halloween, Grubhub’s top 5 candy orders were Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Twix Caramel, Snickers, M&M Peanuts and Kit Kats, while hot dogs took the spot for the most popular food order.

Week 3 (Nov. 2 – 8): You Get a Sandwich, You Get a Sandwich, Everybody Gets a Sandwich
To celebrate national sandwich day and national chicken sandwich day, Grubhub is rolling out more than ten new deals over the next two weeks. Select deals include:

  • Jersey Mike’s: 50% off turkey and provolone sandwiches (up to $6), with orders $20+ 
  • Wendy’s: Free Baconator (up to $10), with orders $20+ 
  • Buffalo Wild Wings: 50% off sandwich (up to $8), with orders $25+ 
  • Arby’s: 20% off $20+ (up to $8)
  • Jack in the Box: $5 off orders $22+  
  • Wawa: Buy one, get one free on hoagies and sandwiches (up to $10), with orders $15+ 

Fun fact: In 2022 Grubhub orders, New York took the heat coming in first with the most spicy chicken sandwich orders followed by Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Chicago and Portland. 

Week 4 (Nov. 9 – 15): Craving Crushers

  • sweetgreen: $5 off Plates with orders $20+ 
  • KFC: 50% off chicken sandwich (up to $5), with orders $15+ 
  • Panera Bread: 25% off (up to $8) with orders $25+ 
  • Sonic Drive-In: 25% off (up to $8) with orders $20+ 
  • Taco Bell: Free Cheesy Gordita Crunch (up to $6) with orders $20+  
  • Dunkin’: Free 25 assorted munchkins (up to $11) with orders $20+  

Week 5 (Nov. 16 – 22) : Close Out Gold Days of Grubhub+ with Even More Perks

  • Not a member? Sign up now and claim a 33% discount off the first year of your annual plan
  • Looking for a holiday gift? Get a $10 Grubhub gift card credit with the purchase of a $50+ Grubuhb gift card 
  • Still hungry? Buy one get one free Chipotle burrito (up to $12) with orders $20+ 

About Grubhub
Grubhub is part of Just Eat Takeaway.com (LSE: JET, AMS: TKWY), and is a leading U.S. food ordering and delivery marketplace. Dedicated to connecting diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub elevates food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms, and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub features more than 365,000 restaurant partners in over 4,000 U.S. cities.

*Terms and conditions apply to all offers. For more information on Gold Days of Grubhub+, visit Grubhub.com/Gold-Days. 

**Benefits apply on eligible orders only. Additional fees may apply. Grubhub+ is an automatically renewing membership service requiring recurring payments at thethen-current rate (currently $9.99/mo) plus tax until canceled. For more details and terms, visit grubhub.com/plus. 

Choice Privileges Now Offering Guests Grubhub Delivery at 500 Choice Hotels

From adding more upscale hotel offerings to its family of participating hotel brands to offering two, new co-branded credit cards, the award-winning loyalty program continues to expand member opportunities and benefits

ROCKVILLE, Md., September 26, 2023 – Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) announced that Choice Privileges now offers food ordering and delivery through a collaboration with Grubhub, a leading online and mobile food-ordering and delivery platform, to guests during stays at 500 participating Choice Hotels. As part of a continued reinvigoration of the award-winning loyalty program, Choice Privileges is expanding rewards and opportunities for guests during their travels.

Guests at participating midscale and extended stay Choice hotels brands, including Everhome Suites, Clarion Pointe, Comfort Inn, Mainstay Suites and Sleep Inn properties, will be able to access Grubhub’s network of more than 365,000 restaurants and convenience offerings. To order, guests will be able to access a branded ordering and delivery experience within the Grubhub app while on the hotel’s property and are able to receive one free month of Grubhub+, Grubhub’s loyalty program that provides diners access to unlimited $0 delivery on orders of $12+.

“We are always looking to expand opportunities for Choice Privileges members, and we strive to focus on benefits that will add additional value for our members,” said Julie Purser, vice president, loyalty strategy and membership rewards, Choice Hotels. “Offering $0 delivery fees with Grubhub enriches the guest experience at these participating hotels as it provides logistical and financial ease to guests seeking food delivery.”

“Whether guests are traveling for work, relaxation or fun, we want to be their go-to delivery provider that keeps them fed no matter where they are,” said Rob DelaCruz, vice president and general manager of Onsite Hospitality at Grubhub. “We’re excited to offer a convenient and seamless ordering and delivery experience for Choice Hotel guests that allows them to explore the flavors of local communities across the country.”

This expansion of Choice Privileges member benefits follows several other recent efforts to reinvigorate the loyalty program. Earlier this year, Choice launched two co-brand credit cards – the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard and Choice Privileges Mastercard – to offer travelers more ways to accelerate the amount of Choice Privileges points they earn while staying at participating Choice Hotels and on everyday spending like gas, groceries and home goods.

In July, Choice Hotels completed the successful integration of the Radisson Rewards Americas loyalty program into the Choice Privileges program. This enables the nearly 60 million Choice Privileges members to earn and redeem points at over 7,000 Choice-branded hotels across a diverse portfolio of brands.

The integration of Radisson Rewards Americas into Choice Privileges expanded member benefits to include complimentary breakfast for members with Diamond status at Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, and Park Plaza hotels. Additional member benefits include:

  • The expanded types of hotels Choice Privileges members can earn and/or redeem points with including Luxurious Preferred Hotels & Resorts; PENN Casinos & Resorts; BlueGreen Vacations; and exclusive college football and basketball experiences.
  • “Your Extras:” Members can choose from selection of gift cards or Choice Privileges points when they check in for a stay that includes at least one Sunday through Thursday night at participating brands.
  • An Elite Welcome Gift of 250 Points: Gold, Platinum, and Diamond members receive 250 points per stay as a thank you.

For more information and to start planning your next getaway and earn travel rewards, visit ChoiceHotels.com and enroll in Choice Privileges for free.

About Choice Hotels®
Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world. The challenger in the upscale segment and a leader in midscale and extended stay, Choice® has nearly 7,500 hotels, representing almost 630,000 rooms, in 46 countries and territories. A diverse portfolio of 22 brands that range from full-service upper upscale properties to midscale, extended stay and economy enables Choice® to meet travelers’ needs in more places and for more occasions while driving more value for franchise owners and shareholders. The award-winning Choice Privileges® loyalty program and co-brand credit card options provide members with a fast and easy way to earn reward nights and personalized perks. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com.

About Choice Privileges®

The award-winning Choice Privileges loyalty program enables members to earn and redeem points for reward nights at over 7,000 Choice-branded hotels across a diverse portfolio of brands in 46 countries and territories. Points can also be earned and/or redeemed with partners like Bluegreen Vacations, Penn Entertainment, and the iconic Circus Circus Hotel & Casino and Treasure Island Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Members can also exchange points for airline miles or redeem them for gift cards with popular restaurants and retail stores, stays at the luxurious Preferred Hotels & Resorts, and even VIP college football experiences. Choice Privileges Mastercard holders can earn more points faster, including on everyday spending. To enroll in the free Choice Privileges program or learn more about the Choice Privileges Mastercard credit cards, visit www.choicehotels.com/choice-privileges.

About Grubhub
Grubhub is part of Just Eat Takeaway.com (LSE: JET, AMS: TKWY), and is a leading U.S. food ordering and delivery marketplace. Dedicated to connecting diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub elevates food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms, and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub features more than 365,000 restaurant partners in over 4,000 U.S. cities.