The Promise

Right item.
Right spot.
Right condition.

Every delivery we make is guided by a simple service promise: the right item arrives in the right spot, in the right condition, on time, every time.

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GET A QUOTE

Performance Scorecard

Our focus is outperforming in the metrics that make a difference.

99.99%+

Damage-Free Drops

We handle perishables carefully.

300xFewer Damaged Shipments

99.98%

Accuracy Rate

We (almost) never miss.

417xFewer Failed First Attempts

99.60%

On-time Delivery Rate

Virtually all deliveries arrive within their window.

7xFewer Late Deliveries

Starling figures as of H2 2026. (*) Industry benchmarks are calculated from publicly available information. We recommend requesting actual figures from your current provider to compare performance against Starling's Performance Scorecard.

How We Do It

Quality First

We operate with a zero error mindset.

There is no acceptable failure rate at Starling. We are proactive, not reactive. This mindset is the foundation of our entire operation. We look for better ways to hire, train, verify, support, and deliver, never becoming comfortable with “good enough.”

Deep Specialization

We built a muscle that’s hard to replicate.

For years, we’ve focused exclusively on food and perishables. That focus has shaped how our teams work, how our routes are optimized, and how deliveries move from pickup to drop-off. Your products travel alongside shipments with similar needs, supported by an operation that has a deep understanding of the category.

SunSip refreshing soda cans and Waveform botanical drink bottles arranged in cartons on a wooden table
Meal kit box for mild chicken tacos with tortillas, seasoned chicken, lettuce, cheese, salsa, and taco seasoning on a kitchen counter.

Our Driver Fleet

BEST OF THE BEST

We choose professional drivers who care.

Only 1 in 5 applicants make the cut to become a Starling Driver Partner. We screen for professionalism, long-term reliability, attention to detail, and genuine enthusiasm for the work, because every delivery represents both Starling and your brand.

LIVING WAGES

When money isn’t the focus, performance is.

Starling Driver Partners are compensated with a living wage and in no way incentivized to sacrifice quality for quantity or speed. We invest in people to create a driver fleet that's engaged, accountable, and committed to getting every delivery right.

ALWAYS IMPROVING

We believe feedback makes perfect.

We grade the performance of our Driver Partners on every delivery, reinforcing excellent habits and coaching for improvement whenever necessary. This continuous feedback loop means training doesn’t stop after onboarding, supporting outstanding reliability across our driver fleet.

Starling delivery worker walking along a busy Toronto street at dusk with the illuminated CN Tower and city skyline in the background.

AI-POWERED VERIFICATION

A second set of eyes stops errors in their tracks.

Our proprietary AI quality control system works alongside Driver Partners in the field, reviewing delivery data and photos in real time. It flags potential issues early, and gives our team the visibility to proactively resolve them before they reach your customer.

Delivery Tech

Handling

Right item. Right condition.

We capture item-level detail creating a clear record of each item’s condition throughout delivery. If we see damage, missing items, or something unusual, we take action to save the delivery.

Human Oversight

QUICK RESOLUTIONS

If a delivery goes wrong, we make it right.

Technology helps us prevent issues, but people solve them. When something goes wrong, our Support Team notices and steps in, so the burden does not fall on your customer. We can work directly with them to resolve the issue or provide your team with the detailed information they need to respond quickly and confidently.

We strive to unlock the responsive, brand-aligned support experience your customers expect and notice.

#delivery-ops Live
ST Starling Ops9:41 AM Morning! Our Driver Partner noticed there are only 7 of 8 pieces at the DC for order #300262 (booking #1000425). How shall we proceed?
ST Starling Ops9:41 AM Here’s what we’re seeing: Proof of pickup photo from the distribution centre showing 7 pieces staged for order #300262.
MK Maya K — Food on Demand9:42 AM Got it. Will check with production. One sec.
MK Maya K — Food on Demand9:47 AM Looks like we're short on inventory. We'll message the customer directly.
MK Maya K — Food on Demand9:48 AM Go ahead and deliver what you have.
ST Starling Ops9:49 AM Sounds good! We'll deliver the 7 pieces.
Resolved before the van left the dock

SEAMLESS SUPPORT

We act as an extension of your brand.

Your customers can text our human Support Team directly through their delivery updates. We handle quick questions and last-minute delivery changes before they reach your customer service, routing anything that needs your input back to you.

TELL US YOUR NEEDS
Starling Starling Support
Starling Support
Hi! We're Starling. We're delivering your order from Food on Demand. Expect it between 12 to 4PM. Need help with this delivery? Reply here.
Jane Appleseed
Hi — can you leave it at the side door instead?
Starling Support
Absolutely! We've updated your delivery drop-zone. We'll leave your order at the side door of 483 Smith Rd.
Jane Appleseed
Perfect, thank you!
Starling Support
Your order has been delivered:
Proof of delivery photo: the order left at the side door. Jane Appleseed liked this photo
Delivered to preferred drop-zone

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Starling’s quality controls are built to perform consistently at scale. Standardized pickup and drop-off verification, Driver Partner performance monitoring, address-specific delivery fingerprints, and human oversight work together to maintain accuracy and service reliability as shipment volume grows. Our zero-error mindset underpins this entire system, driving us to continually improve the people, processes, and technology behind every shipment, from your first delivery to your 100,000th.

  • We work to address the issue before it reaches the recipient whenever possible. If your input is required, our collaborative and responsive support team provides the relevant details, so you can make an informed decision without having to investigate the situation from scratch.

  • Starling’s Driver Partners are selected for professionalism, reliability, and attention to detail, not simply their ability to complete a route quickly. In all interactions with your customers, they are friendly, professional, and coached to create a positive drop-off experience.

  • Yes. We periodically publish a scorecard highlighting performance in damage-free deliveries, delivery accuracy, and on-time delivery. If you can obtain the equivalent figures from your current provider, we can help you make a more direct comparison based on the metrics that matter most to your operation.

  • When you use our reusable packaging return service, collecting the packaging becomes part of the pickup verification process, ensuring this step is never missed.

    Additionally, because we maintain delivery fingerprints for each address, the Driver Support team can guide Driver Partners if they have trouble locating the packaging.

Reliable Last-Mile Solutions

D2C last mile delivery

D2C
Last Mile

Offer a consistent and cost-effective same-day last mile delivery experience that drives customer satisfaction and reduces churn.

  • Improve Delivery Satisfaction

  • Reduce Refunds & Replacements

  • Drive Repeat Orders

Explore service

Retail and wholesale last mile delivery

Retail & Wholesale
Last Mile

Improve supply reliability with efficient same-day delivery that keeps retail and wholesale partners stocked, supported, and confident.

  • Keep Partners Stocked

  • Improve Delivery Compliance & Reliability

  • Protect Valuable Relationships

Explore service

Our precision is your new advantage.

Speak with a delivery planner
Speak with a delivery planner