Walmart expands delivery game with Dunkin’ and Papa John’s tie-ins

What's happened

Walmart has announced a broader push into restaurant delivery, starting with Dunkin’ products from its stores via Walmart Restaurant Delivery and expanding to thousands of Dunkin’ locations. Separately, Walmart is launching 30-minute Papa John’s deliveries through its app in select markets, scaling to more locations in coming weeks.

What's behind the headline?

Key dynamics

Walmart is leveraging its store footprint and Spark Driver network to pilot restaurant delivery from inside and outside its stores, signaling a broader strategy to become a one-stop shopping and delivery platform.
The program with Dunkin’ builds on the Subway delivery pilot and could pressure dedicated food delivery platforms if successful at scale.
Industry observers expect Walmart to push for “attachment” of non-grocery items to grocery orders, turning small food orders into gateways for bigger baskets.

Strategic implications

This move shifts Walmart from a pure retailer to a logistics-enabled marketplace, potentially compressing delivery costs for customers but intensifying competition with DoorDash and Uber Eats.
If the outside-store delivery phase proves economical, Walmart could redefine last-mile economics for multi-brand delivery, though margins remain a question for single-item baskets.

Consumer impact

Customers may see faster, more convenient access to breakfast and snacks alongside groceries, encouraging higher overall order value and loyalty to the Walmart app.
The success of these pilots will hinge on reliability, pricing, and temperature-sensitive product handling for food items.

How we got here

Walmart has long experimented with store formats and services beyond core retail, including in-store pharmacies and auto centers. It now seeks to extend its delivery ecosystem by partnering with restaurant brands and enabling cross-category fulfillment from its stores, aiming to capture incremental revenue and deepen customer engagement.

Our analysis

Bloomberg reports Walmart is delivering Dunkin’ through Walmart Restaurant Delivery as it tests a broader restaurant delivery strategy. CNBC notes the external-Dunkin delivery pilot and quotes experts on the competitive implications for Uber Eats and DoorDash. Business Insider UK provides historical context on Walmart’s experimentation with in-store services and how the Dunkin/ Subway pilots fit into that narrative.

Go deeper

Will Walmart's restaurant delivery push push profits or simply drive higher order value for existing shoppers?
What happens if the outside-store delivery model proves economical—will Walmart expand to other restaurant chains?
How will delivery costs be priced for customers and how will temperature-sensitive food be managed at scale?