Food delivery and online ordering have become extremely popular over the last three years, especially with Covid-19 making it difficult to go out to eat. No longer is it just an occasional option at some restaurants and stores; it is now a mainstream option to get take-out and groceries.
It is more efficient and convenient and brings in more customers than if it was not offered because now people who can not leave the house can have food delivered straight to their doorstep. This has caused a boom in the food industry that would not have been possible had it not been for the pandemic.
Food Delivery Fast Facts:
- 60% of restaurants can expect to make more sales online than through their brick-and-mortar buildings.
- 43% of people who order online say they do so because they do not want to cook at home, either because they are too tired or simply do not have the time.
- Millennials currently make the most food delivery orders, at 59% of all millennial orders being for delivery.
- Pizza companies are making the most money on average from online orders, with customers spending around 18% more on pizza orders.
- People who order online from a restaurant are 67% more likely to visit that restaurant than those who do not order online.
- The average USA household spends around $2,375 a year on take-out and delivery, more than most other countries worldwide.
- 35% of people who order online enjoy that it is easier to customize their order online than in-store.
Food Delivery Has Boomed Faster Then Anyone Thought Possible
Food delivery has grown by 300% in just eight years, making up 40% of all restaurant sales. It is predicted to continue growing over the next couple of years, and experts believe food delivery sales will reach $339,257 million by the end of 2022. By 2026, food delivery sales are projected to reach $466,472 million, an 8.29% increase in only four years.
Mobile Devices are the Preferred Ordering Method
As online food delivery becomes more popular, it only makes sense that people turn to their smartphones to place those orders. More and more companies are offering apps to order from them, while others go through third-party apps such as DoorDash or GrubHub to deliver food to their customers. Mobile users currently make up 35% of all online food deliveries, and that number continues to grow month by month.
Third-Party Apps Have Helped Immensely
Third-party apps have been a huge part of why food delivery has become so popular and widely accessible to millions. While many companies offer an app for customers to order on, some prefer to use third-party apps that take a percentage of every sale. This allows these companies to outsource their delivery fees and avoid hiring extra people.
Around 31% of all online food delivery customers use third-party apps such as GrubHub and DoorDash to order food online. So while the delivery fees are higher with these third-party apps, they make it much easier to deliver the food you want in a timely fashion.
Most Popular Food Items Ordered Online
When it comes to the most popular food ordered through food delivery apps, it may not be what you think. In 2022, the most popular food to be ordered online is Chicken, followed by Chinese Food. However, when it comes to New Mexico, their number one ordered food item is salad, a bit different from the favorite of chicken everywhere else.
Instacart Dominates Retail and Grocery Store Delivery
While DoorDash and GrubHub rule the restaurant delivery platform, Instacart has dominated retail and grocery store delivery since the pandemic began. Jumping from only 820,000 orders in February 2021 to 9.14 million in April, Instacart saw one of the largest growths ever seen in a delivery service.
Online Ordering is Not the Primary Method for Food Delivery
While online ordering makes up around 34% of all food delivery orders, this comes in second to orders placed over the phone. 47% of people who order food delivery prefer to order over the phone instead of ordering online, as this is easier than placing orders via an app.