CHICAGO — For most Uber drivers, traveling the city without a passenger in the back seat is wasted time. But a bevy of Ubers will be flying across Chicago Friday with a different kind of precious cargo: ice cream.
To kick-start celebrations of National Ice Cream Day on Sunday, the ride-sharing company will deliver a selection of ice pops and ice cream bar options to customers the same way it usually dispatches rides, via its pickup app.
"The ordering process will be as seamless as any Uber trip," said Cameron Zick, an Uber spokesman. "At the tap of a button, a pedi-cab, uberX, or ice cream truck will roll up to your location. The delivery trip there is free."
Frozen treats cost $5 a pop, and include "Uber swag," Zick said, "like sunglasses or beach balls."
Up to 25 servings can be delivered upon request for users considering treating their cubemates.
The ice cream delivery service will run from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday. During that window, the Uber app will include an ice cream option for customers ordering treat delivery instead of a ride.
Is the ride-sharing service simply offering up a scoop of a PR stunt? Jon Hansen and Lizzie Schiffman discuss:
