A new era of food delivery is about to begin in New Jersey. Food-delivery platform Grubhub announced that it will launch the state’s first commercial drone food-delivery program, partnering with Dexa and Wonder to bring automated aerial delivery to customers in Green Brook.

Beginning March 18, customers ordering from Wonder’s Green Brook location through the Grubhub app will have the option to receive their meals by drone if they live within a 2.5-mile delivery radius. The pilot program will run for three months and will allow diners to choose drone delivery at no additional cost beyond standard service and delivery fees.

The initiative marks the first time drone technology will be used for commercial food delivery in New Jersey, signaling a major step forward in automated logistics for restaurants and delivery platforms.

Under the program, diners can order from any of the 15 restaurant concepts housed inside Wonder’s Green Brook facility. Because Wonder operates a multi-restaurant kitchen model, meals from different brands are prepared in a single location before being dispatched for delivery — a system designed to pair efficiently with drone transportation.

Grubhub officials say the program is intended to test how advanced aerial delivery can integrate with the company’s existing marketplace.

“Our partnership with Dexa represents a major step forward in Grubhub’s commitment to delivery innovation,” said Abhishek “PJ” Poykayil, senior vice president of customer delivery operations at Wonder and Grubhub. “By connecting Grubhub’s marketplace expertise, Wonder’s innovative mealtime platform, and Dexa’s expansive drone technology, we’re proud to introduce a faster and more efficient way for New Jersey diners to experience food delivery without compromising safety or reliability.”

The deliveries will be carried out using Dexa’s DE-2020 drone, a fully automated aircraft designed to transport small packages directly to customers’ homes. Dexa is one of only four companies in the United States that both manufactures and operates delivery drones certified under the Federal Aviation Administration’s Part 135 air carrier regulations, which govern commercial aviation operations.

Before each flight, trained crew members verify that orders are securely packaged and meet operational and food-safety standards. During delivery, the drone lowers the order to the ground using a controlled tether system rather than landing directly at the customer’s home.

The aircraft relies on autonomous navigation and secure communications systems to follow pre-approved flight paths designed to prioritize safety while minimizing noise and disruption in surrounding neighborhoods.

Customers will still interact with the familiar Grubhub app during the process. The platform will manage order placement, real-time GPS tracking, delivery notifications, and customer communication, allowing diners to monitor the drone’s progress from restaurant to doorstep.

“Consumers want delivery that’s faster and more reliable — and this collaboration shows what’s possible when industry innovators come together,” said Beth Flippo, chief executive officer of Dexa. “This service is a glimpse into the future of how autonomous technology will help restaurants and retailers serve customers at a completely new level.”

Before the service officially launches, Grubhub and Dexa will host a community demonstration event in Green Brook on March 16, where residents can watch the drones in action during scheduled demonstrations at noon and 4 p.m. A rain date is scheduled for March 17.

Company officials say the three-month test program will provide data on how drone delivery performs in a suburban environment.

If successful, Grubhub plans to evaluate expanding the service to additional restaurant partners in the region.