Skip (delivery service)

Skip was founded as SkipTheDishes in 2012 by brothers Josh and Chris Simair, with the idea of creating a more efficient online food ordering and delivery network. Josh had previously worked as an investment banker in London and recognized the opportunity to improve the food delivery process. The company was initially launched in Saskatoon and later moved to Winnipeg, where the head office was established.{{cite news |title=SkipTheDishes Launches AI-Powered Grocery Shopping Tool to Help Canadians Take Inflation Out of Their Cart {{!}} LBBOnline |url=https://www.lbbonline.com/news/skipthedishes-launches-ai-powered-grocery-shopping-tool-to-help-canadians-take-inflation-out-of-their-cart |work=www.lbbonline.com |language=en}} SkipTheDishes was created in Saskatoon in 2012 by brothers Chris and Josh Simair and a group of young professionals who quit traditional employment to pursue their dreams.{{Cite web |last=Bostock |first=Amy |date=2018-12-03 |title=Technology Company of the Year: SkipTheDishes |url=https://www.foodserviceandhospitality.com/technology-company-of-the-year-skipthedishes/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=Foodservice and Hospitality Magazine |language=en-US}}

The co-founders bootstrapped the company and secured seed capital from angel investors, followed by additional funding from private investors and four venture capital firms. Three more co-founders, including another brother and two university friends, joined between 2012 and 2014 to help grow the business.{{cite news |title=Brains behind SkipTheDishes launch subscription furniture service in Winnipeg, Saskatoon |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/small-business/startups/article-skipthedishes-founders-launch-subscription-furniture-service/ |work=The Globe and Mail |date=14 April 2019 |language=en-CA}} When Skip was acquired four years later by the United Kingdom-based Just Eat, co-founders Chris Simair and Andrew Chau left.{{Cite web |last=Star |first=Brennan Doherty Special to the |date=2023-02-18 |title=SkipTheDishes CEO Howard Migdal on making 100 million deliveries a year, courier perks, and his Krispy Kreme habit |url=https://www.thestar.com/business/skipthedishes-ceo-howard-migdal-on-making-100-million-deliveries-a-year-courier-perks-and-his/article_59baab9e-4e82-5b46-b729-45d208ead02e.html |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=Toronto Star |language=en}}

As the company scaled between 2013 and 2016, the co-founders launched SkipTheDishes in many Canadian cities, initially focusing on mid-market cities, including Burnaby, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Prince Albert, Grande Prairie, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Mississauga, Toronto, Kitchener/Waterloo, and Ottawa; as well as US cities, including Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Buffalo, Omaha, and St. Louis.{{cite news |title=Canadian Delivery Platform SkipTheDishes Expands into Groceries |url=https://www.pymnts.com/news/delivery/2022/canadian-delivery-platform-skipthedishes-expands-into-groceries/ |work=www.pymnts.com |date=5 January 2022}}

In December 2016, SkipTheDishes was acquired by Just Eat for $200 million. SkipTheDishes remained a subsidiary and separate brand from Just Eat, with its headquarters remaining in Winnipeg.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/winnipeg-startup-skipthedishes-purchased-by-britains-just-eat/article33341734/ |title=Winnipeg startup SkipTheDishes gobbled up by Britain's Just Eat |last=Silcoff |first=Sean |date=December 15, 2016 |website=The Globe and Mail |access-date=August 28, 2018}} As of September 2018, Just Eat Canada redirects to SkipTheDishes.{{cite tweet |user=JUSTEATca |author=SkipTheDishes |number=1037144022714855425 |date=September 4, 2018 |title=Hello Steve, We're joining with Skip the Dishes to provide you with even a better food ordering experience. You can order with them if you have not already. :) }}

Over the course of 2017, SkipTheDishes was recognised for its growth on a number of occasions.{{cite news |title=Global Virtual Restaurant and Ghost Kitchens Market Size and Forecast {{!}} Uber Eats, Taker, VizEat, GRUBHUB, Skip The Dishes, FLIPDISH, DoorDash, CLOUD KITCHENS, Deputy, Rebel Foods. |url=https://euanticorruption.com/global-virtual-restaurant-and-ghost-kitchens-market-size-scope-forecast/ |work=EUAC}} The company's founder was chosen as one of Canada's Top 40 Under 40.{{Cite news |url=https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/skip-the-dishes-co-founder-named-one-of-canadas-top-young-business-innovators-431362163.html |title=Skip the Dishes co-founder named one of Canada's top young business innovators |last=Cash |first=Martin |date=June 28, 2017 |website=Winnipeg Free Press |access-date=August 28, 2018}} Just Eat's CEO, Peter Plumb, reported significant increases in the company's Q3-2017 revenue, due to "strong growth in order numbers and the inclusion of SkipTheDishes business."{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/nov/23/just-eat-ftse-100-value-surge |title=Just Eat poised to enter FTSE 100 after value soars past Sainsbury's |last=Wood |first=Zoe |date=November 23, 2017 |website=The Guardian |access-date=August 28, 2018}}

To diversify its business, in 2017, SkipTheDishes announced that it was experimenting with alcohol delivery in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with plans to expand nationwide.{{Cite web |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/3687652/skip-the-dishes-testing-out-alcohol-delivery-in-winnipeg |title=Skip the Dishes testing out alcohol delivery in Winnipeg |last=Greenslade |first=Brittany |date=August 22, 2017 |website=Global News |access-date=August 28, 2018}}

In March 2019, SkipTheDishes pulled out of the United States market. Their business and drivers were transferred to Grubhub.{{Cite web|title=Winnipeg-based delivery company Skip the Dishes backing out of U.S. market|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/5134337/winnipeg-based-delivery-company-skip-the-dishes-backing-out-of-u-s-market/|access-date=2020-12-17|website=CJOB|language=en-US}} In early 2020, Just Eat merged with Netherlands-based competitor Takeaway.com, forming Just Eat Takeaway,{{Cite web|url=https://www.platformexecutive.com/news/sharing-economy/takeaway-issues-shares-after-uk-competition-watchdog-gives-just-eat-buy-approval/|title=Takeaway issues shares after UK competition watchdog gives Just Eat buy approval|website=Platform Executive|date=April 23, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2020}} shortly thereafter announcing a deal to its American competitor Grubhub (who previously acquired SkipTheDishes' American operations).{{Cite news|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-grubhub-m-a-just-eat-takeawaay-idUKKBN23H2FB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610170753/https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-grubhub-m-a-just-eat-takeawaay-idUKKBN23H2FB|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 10, 2020|title=Europe's Just Eat Takeaway to buy Grubhub for $7.3 billion|newspaper=Reuters|date=June 11, 2020|via=uk.reuters.com}} In July 2020, in line with Just Eat's other markets, SkipTheDishes adopted Takeaway.com's branding and orange colour scheme, though keeping the SkipTheDishes name.{{cite web|url=https://strategyonline.ca/2020/07/27/check-it-out-skipthedishes-rebrands/|title=Check it out: SkipTheDishes rebrands|first=Christopher|last=Lombardo|work=Strategy|date=July 27, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2020}}

In late 2021, SkipTheDishes began testing a new offering called Skip Express Lane, a service that delivers household goods and groceries directly to customers. The service is located in Winnipeg and in London, Ontario.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cp24.com/lifestyle/skipthedishes-launches-new-offering-for-groceries-1.5569844?cache=%3FclipId%3D104062%3FclipId%3D89578%3FclipId%3D89563%3FclipId%3D68596%3FclipId%3D373266|title = SkipTheDishes launches new offering for groceries|date = September 2021}}

In 2024, SkipTheDishes' CEO, Paul Burns, announced on LinkedIn the layoff of 800 employees, including 700 Canada-based employees at Just Eat Takeaway.com, SkipTheDishes' parent company, during restructuring efforts.{{cite web |last1=Deschamps |first1=Tara |title=SkipTheDishes and Just Eat cut 800 jobs in Canada amid restructure |url=https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/skipthedishes-and-just-eat-cut-800-jobs-canada-amid-restructure/article_5e1933a4-0ab4-539b-9952-4e166bbac42a.html |website=thecanadianpressnews.ca |publisher=Canadian Press Enterprises Inc. |access-date=24 October 2024 |language=en |date=20 August 2024}} In October 2024, SkipTheDishes announced it was shortening its name to Skip, during a brand re-fresh to reflect on its expanded offerings beyond food delivery, including groceries, convenience items, and retail goods.{{cite web |last1=Qureshi |first1=Usman |title=Skip Celebrates 'Skip to the Good Part' Rebranding with Free Meal Vouchers • iPhone in Canada Blog |url=https://www.iphoneincanada.ca/2024/10/21/skip-to-the-good-part-free-meal-vouchers/ |website=www.iphoneincanada.ca |publisher=iphoneincanada.ca |access-date=24 October 2024 |date=21 October 2024}}

In October 2018, SkipTheDishes ran ads featuring actor Jon Hamm, presenting him with the moniker of "honorary Canadian."{{cite web|title=CNW - "Canadian" Jon Hamm Loves Hockey and SkipTheDishes|url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/canadian-jon-hamm-loves-hockey-and-skipthedishes-695009621.html|website=Newswire.ca}} In 2024, Hamm returned to star in a new ad campaign to help Skip update its messaging and showcase its expanded offerings.{{Cite web |last=Islur |first=Shamita |title=Jon Hamm wants you to skip the inconveniences in SkipTheDishes' new ad |url=https://www.socialsamosa.com/campaign-spot/skipthedishes-new-ad-jon-hamm-skip-inconveniences-7349750 |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=www.socialsamosa.com |language=en}}

Since 2019, SkipTheDishes has run a series of French-language ads, notably in Quebec, featuring comedian Patrick Groulx.{{cite web|title=Patrick Groulx pratique la lutte dans une nouvelle publicité de Skip|date=2019-12-03|url=https://www.grenier.qc.ca/nouvelles/19857/patrick-groulx-pratique-la-lutte-dans-une-nouvelle-publicite-de-skip|website=Grenier.qc.ca}}{{Cite web|title=SKIP Tour de force|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lroW5IO0Dc|access-date=2021-04-03|agency=Announcer: Skip, Agency: Arrivals + Departure et TMO; Directeur artistique: David Lamarche; Conception-rédaction: Kristina Landry; Producer: Jérôme Couture: Agency Producer: Annick d’Auteuil; Production house: Cinélande; Director: Jean-François Asselin; DOP: Steve Danyluk; Postproduction: Post430; Sound: Lamajeure; Médias: True Media; Relations publiques: Proof Inc.|website=Youtube.com| date=December 3, 2019 }} His ads since October 2020 and early 2021 have focused on promoting "les Récompenses SKIP" or Skip's loyalty points program.{{cite web|title=Une campagne pour l'amour de la bouffe d'ici|date=2020-10-23|url=https://www.grenier.qc.ca/nouvelles/21755/une-campagne-pour-lamour-de-la-bouffe-dici|website=Grenier.qc.ca}}{{Cite web|title=SKIP TV 15s REWARDS 2020 10 22|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3E2skp9rAA|access-date=2021-04-03|agency=Agency: A+D, The Montréal Office; Production house: Cinélande; Sound: Audio Z|website=Youtube.com}}{{Cite web|title=SKIP TV 30s NEW 2020 10 22|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hq0DK2DNWS4|access-date=2021-04-03|agency=Agency: A+D, The Montréal Office; Production house: Cinélande; Sound: Audio Z|website=Youtube.com}}

In February 2020, SkipTheDishes entered into a multiyear marketing relationship with the Toronto Defiant, an esports team in the Overwatch League.{{Cite web|title=Toronto Defiant plates up multi-year deal with SkipTheDishes|first=Jay|last=Massaad|date=2020-02-06|url=https://esportsinsider.com/2020/02/toronto-defiant-skipthedishes/|website=esportsinsider.com}}

In summer 2021, ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games, SkipTheDishes was named the "Official Food Delivery App" of the Canadian Olympic Committee.{{Cite web|last=SkipTheDishes|title=SkipTheDishes named the Official Food Delivery App of the Canadian Olympic Committee ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games|url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/skipthedishes-named-the-official-food-delivery-app-of-the-canadian-olympic-committee-ahead-of-the-tokyo-2020-olympic-games-875375242.html|access-date=2021-10-24|website=Newswire.ca|language=en}}

Like many companies involved in the sharing economy, SkipTheDishes has received criticism for its business practices.{{cite news |title=Just Eat snaps up Hungryhouse and Canada's SkipTheDishes for £260m |url=https://www.ft.com/content/a27c7ee5-e046-3247-8ad4-507afceaa826 |work=www.ft.com |publisher=Financial Times}} In March 2017, the company received negative publicity for its responses to a job candidate's question about compensation and benefits. As a follow-up to the incident, Emily Norgang of the Canadian Labour Congress stated that "the most innovative aspect isn't the technology itself, but actually the expansion of this exploitative business model."{{Cite web |url=https://www.nationalobserver.com/2017/03/14/news/skip-dishes-apologizes-ducking-questions-pay-and-benefits |title=Skip the Dishes apologizes for ducking questions on pay and benefits |last=Sparks |first=Riley |date=March 14, 2017 |website=National Observer |access-date=August 28, 2018}} {{As of|2021|October}}, SkipTheDishes has the lowest rating of F from the Better Business Bureau due to volume of unresolved complaints.{{Cite web|title=SkipTheDishes Restaurant Services Inc. |url=https://www.bbb.org/ca/mb/winnipeg/profile/delivery-service/skipthedishes-restaurant-services-inc-0057-36081|website=Bbb.org|access-date=2020-05-15}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Just Eat Takeaway.com}}

{{Online food ordering}}

{{Winnipeg Corporations}}

Category:Food and drink in Manitoba

Category:Online food ordering

Category:Retail companies established in 2012

Category:Transport companies established in 2012

Category:Internet properties established in 2012

Category:Companies based in Winnipeg

Category:2012 establishments in Manitoba