Switching from dine-in to delivery is hurting this Biddeford restaurant

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Switching from dine-in to delivery is hurting this Maine restaurant
Dizzy Birds Rotisserie in Biddeford is closing after seven years on Main Street. Its owner said delivery apps are partially to blame.

Credit: NEWS CENTER Maine

Author: Pearl Small

Published: 5:45 PM EST December 11, 2024

Updated: 5:45 PM EST December 11, 2024

BIDDEFORD, Maine — A beloved Biddeford restaurant known for its rotisserie chicken and scratch-made sides will soon close its doors, with its owner citing the financial strain of food delivery app fees as a significant factor.

Tom Peacock, the owner of Dizzy Birds Rotisserie, announced that the restaurant will close at the end of December, marking the end of a seven-year run. Peacock, who described the venture as a “24/7 labor of love,” said the restaurant’s closure stems from shifts in dining habits and the growing reliance on delivery services like DoorDash and Grubhub.

Dizzy Birds initially thrived when it opened on Biddeford’s Main Street, bolstered by its convenient location and ample parking. However, the pandemic ushered in significant changes in how people dine.

“People’s habits changed,” Peacock explained, noting that the restaurant’s large dining space—accounting for 40 percent of the rent—has remained largely empty since COVID-19. Although takeout orders grew, it wasn’t enough to cover operating costs.

Delivery orders now make up nearly 40 percent of Dizzy Birds’ business, but Peacock says the fees charged by delivery apps have eaten into already tight profit margins. In addition to charging the person ordering the food a delivery fee, Peacock said Grubhub and Doordash also charge restaurants 20-30 percent as well.

“We’re dealing with expensive product and buying at the top of the quality selection, so margins become smaller and smaller,” he said.

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For longtime employees like Calvin Poissant, the news was devastating. Poissant, who has worked at Dizzy Birds since it opened, said the restaurant offered both professional growth and a creative outlet.

“It definitely was a blow to hear,” he said. “There aren’t that many opportunities like this around here.”

Despite the heartbreak, Peacock isn’t giving up on the Dizzy Birds brand. He’s considering expanding into catering and potentially exploring franchise opportunities.

“I just love the cooking, and I know the food we’re doing is really, really great,” Peacock said. “But the fact we haven’t made it is really sad.”

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