Another food delivery service arrives in Springfield

Photo provided by GoPuff

Customers can receive snacks and household items at their homes via goPuff.

Last edited 2:41 p.m., Sept. 30, 2019

GoPuff, an on-demand delivery service that focuses on snacks and household items, is launching today in Springfield.

The Philadelphia-based company delivers ice cream, candy, beverages and other snacks, as well as household items such as cleaning products, diapers and pet goods. It operates noon-4 a.m. seven days a week, providing more than 2,500 products for a $1.95 delivery charge, according to a news release.

“Whether you are a parent who desperately needs a new pack of diapers at 2 a.m., a pet owner who would rather not carry that giant bag of kitty litter from the store to your apartment or a party host in need of last-minute supplies or snacks, goPuff is … excited to bring this experience to customers in Springfield,” said Rafael Ilishayev, the company’s co-founder and co-CEO, in the release.

The company’s launch in Springfield follows its Missouri debut in March, when services started in St. Louis. It operates in more than 100 locations, according to the release.

Elizabeth Romaine, director of communications for goPuff, said the company is hiring around 50 drivers and 12 operations employees who will work out of an undisclosed location.

GoPuff’s arrival comes as app-based delivery companies have pushed longtime local players out of the market. Lightning Delivery closed in May, following the exit of rival QuikDine.com LLC in January.

Uber Eats, DoorDash, GrubHub, Postmates Inc. and Cape Girardeau-based carGO Technologies LLC, which launched in April in the Queen City, are among food delivery companies doing business in Springfield. CarGO recently announced alcohol delivery partnerships with companies including 4 By 4 Brewing Co. and Macadoodles.