Dallas, September 6, 2025
News Summary
Zipline has launched a new drone delivery service in southern Dallas, allowing residents to receive groceries and prepared food from Walmart Supercenter at 7401 Samuell Blvd. This service covers many eligible addresses south of I-80 and follows previous rollouts in nearby cities. Customers can choose from over 65,000 items with delivery times as quick as 20 minutes. The initial weight limit for orders is set at 5.5 pounds, and the delivery service operates from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time, with plans to extend hours.
Dallas — A drone delivery service operated by Zipline has expanded to southern Dallas, enabling residents to receive deliveries from the Walmart Supercenter at 7401 Samuell Blvd. The rollout opens drone delivery of groceries and prepared food to eligible addresses south of I-80, with operations announced as active following a local ribbon-cutting ceremony.
What launched and where
The new service at the Samuell Blvd Walmart is the seventh Walmart Supercenter in the greater Dallas–Fort Worth area to offer Zipline deliveries. Zipline’s expansion into southern Dallas follows prior launches in Mesquite, Waxahachie, Kaufman, Greenville, Bedford, and Weatherford. The company’s aircraft fleet has accumulated more than 100 million commercial miles and completed over 18 million deliveries globally, according to operational data provided in the launch materials.
What customers can order and how fast
Residents in eligible parts of southern Dallas can order more than 65,000 items from Walmart for drone delivery. Available items include fresh and frozen foods and pantry staples. Zipline reports that many of these items are available for delivery within 20 minutes. Separately, customers can also place orders online for delivery to a backyard or doorstep with estimated service as quickly as 30 minutes, depending on location and item availability.
Weight limits, delivery window, and fees
Initial delivery weight limits for the southern Dallas launch are up to 5.5 pounds per order for eligible customers. Zipline’s collaboration with Chipotle, branded as Zipotle, will also begin with the same initial weight cap and plans to increase to 8 pounds over time. Delivery hours for both Walmart and Chipotle drone services are set to run from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time initially, with plans to extend operations later into the evening to as late as 10 p.m.
Chipotle trial: Zipotle in Rowlett
In addition to the Walmart partnership, Zipline is working with Chipotle on a trial delivery program called Zipotle. The rollout begins in Rowlett, Texas, where selected customers will be able to order the full Chipotle menu for drone delivery. Orders must be placed through the Zipline mobile app. Chipotle staff will package orders and place them at a designated pickup point, referred to as a Zipping Point, for drone retrieval. Drones then fly directly to the customer’s location, hover approximately 300 feet above ground, and lower the order gently to the delivery spot.
Cost structure for Zipotle deliveries
Zipotle delivery pricing will include a per-order fee of $2.99 plus a capped service fee calculated as up to 15% of the order total, with the service fee capped at $6. Fee structures for Walmart’s drone deliveries were not specified in the launch details provided for southern Dallas.
Local launch event and early deliveries
A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the service launch at the Samuell Blvd location and was attended by local officials. Firefighters in the area received the first drone delivery from the new Walmart site as part of the local demonstration of the service.
Operational context and implications
The combined Walmart and Chipotle trials reflect a broader increase in commercial drone logistics activity in the Dallas region and nationwide. Zipline’s growing list of retail and restaurant partners and the rollout across multiple suburban and exurban cities illustrate efforts to integrate drone delivery into mainstream retail and foodservice operations. The initiatives aim to expand fast, point-to-point delivery options while operating within existing regulatory and safety frameworks for unmanned aircraft operations.
Background: Zipline’s service model
Zipline operates autonomous fixed-wing and vertical takeoff and landing aircraft designed to carry small payloads over short distances. At customer locations, the aircraft perform an aerial approach, maintain a hover at roughly 300 feet, and lower packages to a predetermined delivery area via tethered descent. The company has emphasized scalability of item menus, order integration through partner retail systems, and time-sensitive delivery windows in its commercial deployments.
FAQ
Which areas of Dallas are eligible for Zipline drone delivery?
Zipline’s expansion covers parts of southern Dallas south of I-80 served by the Walmart Supercenter at 7401 Samuell Blvd. Eligibility depends on exact delivery address and local flight corridors.
How do customers place orders?
Walmart grocery and selected grocery items can be ordered through Walmart’s online ordering flow with Zipline delivery as an option where available. Chipotle orders for the Zipotle trial must be placed through the Zipline mobile app.
How long does a drone delivery take?
Zipline reports many Walmart items are available for delivery within 20 minutes, while other backyard or doorstep deliveries can be fulfilled in as little as 30 minutes, subject to item availability and customer location.
What are the weight limits for deliveries?
Initial weight limits are up to 5.5 pounds per order for customers at the southern Dallas launch. Zipotle deliveries are planned to increase to 8 pounds in a later phase.
What are the delivery hours and fees?
Delivery hours currently run from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. CT with plans to extend to 10 p.m. Zipotle deliveries carry a $2.99 fee plus a service fee up to 15% (capped at $6). Walmart delivery fee details for the launch were not specified.
How do drones deliver the package?
Drones fly directly to the customer’s location, hover at about 300 feet, and lower the package to the ground using a tethered mechanism at a designated delivery spot.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Service Area | Southern Dallas (Walmart Supercenter at 7401 Samuell Blvd); Zipotle trial in Rowlett |
| Partners | Walmart, Chipotle (Zipotle trial) |
| Items Available | 65,000+ items from Walmart, full Chipotle menu for Zipotle trial |
| Delivery Time | Many items within 20 mins; backyard/doorstep as little as 30 mins |
| Weight Limit | Initial: 5.5 lb (increase to 8 lb planned for Zipotle) |
| Delivery Hours | 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. CT (plans to extend to 10 p.m.) |
| Zipotle Fees | $2.99 + service fee up to 15% (max $6) |
| Operational Metrics | Zipline: 100M+ commercial miles flown; 18M+ deliveries globally |
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Additional Resources
- CultureMap: Zipline Expands Walmart Drone Delivery in Southern Dallas
- CNBC: Chipotle Teams Up with Zipline for Drone Delivery
- Restaurant Dive: Chipotle Launches Zipline Drone Delivery in Texas
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Drone Delivery
- Google Search: Drone Delivery Services
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
