Barati initially operated a digital market agency, with a focus on helping restaurants working through the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in January 2021, he started working on Deliwee, with the aim of better serving local restaurants and the couriers who bravely work on Malta’s roads for extremely long hours. 

It launched last summer but has managed to maintain steady growth ever since. But how does Deliwee treat its workers and clients?

By offering an all-in-one solution for restaurants, which includes a website, table booking system and online ordering system, Deliwee does not offer any extra charges since the service is provided for free once it enters an agreement with a new business. Customer data is even provided, unlike its competitors.

That means that Deliwee does not charge any commission on restaurants, compared to other operators who charge up to 30% on all orders, rather a fixed fee of €2 is set on every delivery, regardless of size and amount.

Instead, it focuses on other revenue streams like partnership fees, service charges, and a delivery fee paid by the client and not the restaurant. It also offers other services like advertising and social media management services. One restaurant cannot simply apply for the delivery service.

This allows them to let their couriers earn practically 100% of all their earnings. Drivers are employed either part-time or full-time and Renato insists his goal is to always try to make couriers’ needs an absolute priority.  

“100% of the money they earn stays in their pockets, no one is taking any cuts, or shares, or percentages in return of a work permit, or equipment provided,” Renato said.

“They are entitled to employment benefits, such as sick leave, holiday, social security, etc… and most importantly can work in a safe environment where uncertainty and risks are not involved.”

“They work by a roster and that helps ensure they have a guaranteed income. All of the work-related equipment is provided by us for them to be able to fulfil their duties in the most professional and safest environment possible.”

“There is no successful delivery company without professional delivery drivers, and we see and treat them as one of the main pillars of our growth & success.”

Giving back seems to be at the core of what Deliwee is striving to achieve, and has even helped local organisations to gather and deliver food donations to lower-income persons or those in a difficult financial situation.

Deliwee is continuing to grow and now has an app similar to the one used by Bolt and Wolt, and includes the available list of their partners. Still, installing an app is not a must and people can still order on a website-based system or can even take orders on the phone.

Renato is hoping that the company now makes the next step and grows the team to position itself as a major competitor to the big boys.

Still, it remains to be seen whether Deliwee’s model will be adopted into the mainstream, with the government delaying addressing major issues in the field despite pledging to do so. 

Could this model be the future for delivery companies in Malta?