US users can now order food on Facebook

With all of the food ordering services and restaurants available to users, navigating your way through them to order takeaway food is becoming increasingly complicated. Facebook argues this was the reason behind its new feature that allows users to order meals from services within their app.

Available only in the US on iOS, Android and desktop, the 'Order Food' feature in the Explore menu now allows users to browse nearby restaurants and select 'Start Order' when they have decided on a cuisine.

The food ordering services include Delivery.com, DoorDash, ChowNow, Zuppler, EatStreet, Slice and Olo, or users can order directly from restaurants such as Papa John’s, Wingstop, Panera, Jack in the Box, TGI Fridays, Denny’s, El Pollo Loco, Chipotle, Five Guys and Jimmy John’s.

"People already go to Facebook to figure out what to eat by reading about nearby restaurants and seeing what their friends say about them. So, we're making it even easier," explained Facebook Vice President Alex Himel.

"From local spots to national chains, Facebook connects you with old favourites and new discoveries in just a few taps. You can even check out what your friends have to say about a restaurant before you order your food."

After testing it since last year, the rollout of the new feature is another example of how Facebook is nullifying the usefulness of other apps by providing extra services that ensure users remain within their confines. Other services that Facebook have recently offered customers include money transfers, weather, ride-hailing, travel sections and instant games.

Whether they are trying to dominate the food ordering market or not, Facebook's feature increases the user experience of their two billion active users.