Food Carryout & Delivery - Research and Markets

Most consumers order food for carryout or delivery through well-established channels such as pizza restaurants, fast food establishments, and grocery store food bars at least occasionally. However, there are many opportunities for restaurants, stores, and other venues providing meals for carryout or delivery to expand purchases for off-premises consumption. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that restaurants that do little carryout or delivery business when dine-in service is available have been able to expand these options amidst dine-in closures and stay-at-home orders to maintain some level of business. Consumer behavior is changing short-term, and as people become more comfortable with ordering food for carryout or delivery, they may also change their behavior in the long-term.

With a focus on “what's next” - along with bringing decades of food and beverage market perspective and analysis to the table - Food Carryout and Delivery is packed with insights about consumer trends, behavior, and motivations to help restaurants, retailers, packaging companies, investors, and service providers gauge consumer perspectives and opportunities for growth in a competitive market.

Food Carryout and Delivery delivers actionable predictions and recommendations designed to guide restaurants, retailers, service providers, and investors in making business decisions by providing data and insights about the food carryout and delivery market.

Scope

Combining the publisher's extensive monitoring of the food and beverage market with proprietary surveys, Food Carryout and Delivery is the go-to source for a complete understanding of the U.S. food carryout and delivery market. This report evaluates current trends and future directions for marketing and retailing, along with consumer patterns across the food carryout and delivery market and broader food and beverage market.

Food Carryout and Delivery examines product availability; surveys retail channel trends and analyzes consumer trends and motivations. Supplementing the publisher's exclusive survey is an extensive analysis of Simmons' National Consumer Study, which is based on approximately 25,000 adult respondents surveyed annually. This report contains dozens of numerical tables and charts, as well as numerous product photographs.

Report Methodology

The information contained in Food Carryout and Delivery was developed from primary and secondary research sources. Primary research includes national online consumer polls of U.S. adult consumers (age 18+) conducted on an ongoing basis to analyze purchasing patterns and attitudes with regard to food gifts and relevant food and beverage preferences. Primary research also includes interviews with food and beverage market experts; participation in and attendance at food industry events; and extensive internet canvassing.

Executive Summary

Expanding Availability of Carryout and Delivery: COVID-19 and Beyond
Foodservice Packaging Opportunities
Key Consumer Trends
Scope

Market Size and Forecast

Highlights
Total Foodservice Revenues by Type of Establishment
Scope
Forecast
Table Foodservice Revenues by Type of Establishment, 2014-2019, 2020E, and 2024P (billion dollars)
Foodservice Revenue by Dine-In vs. Off-Premises Dining
Scope
Forecast
Table Foodservice Revenues by Type of Establishment, 2014-2019, 2020E, and 2024P (billion dollars)
Historical Food Carryout and Delivery Market
Scope
Historical Trends
Table Food Carryout & Delivery Historical Market, 2014-2019 (billion dollars)
Food Carryout and Delivery Market Forecast
Table Food Carryout & Delivery Forecast, 2019-2024 (billion dollars)
Food Carryout and Delivery Market by Retailer Category
Third-Party Delivery Sales

Ordering Platforms

Highlights
In-Person Purchases for Carryout
Restaurant Orders
Grocery Orders
Third-Party Ordering vs. In-House Ordering
In-House Purchases for Takeout or Delivery
Third-Party Restaurant Purchases for Takeout or Delivery
Third-Party Retailer Ordering
Online & Mobile Ordering
Restaurant Ordering
Grocery Ordering
Phone Ordering Remains Important For Small, Independent Restaurants & Older Consumers

Consumer Use & Attitude Trends

Highlights
Eating Food For Carryout or Delivery Is Well-Established and Rising
Table Consumer Use of Convenience Foodservice Options, 2019 (percent)
Rising Number of Consumers Who Consume Pre-Cooked Meals
Table Consumption of Store-Made, Pre-Cooked Meals, 2014-2019 (percent of adults)
Preference For Fresh, Healthy, or Home-Cooked Meals Is Falling in Favor of Convenient Food Options
Table Consumer Opinions About Food, Diet, and Convenience, 2014 vs. 2019 (percent of adults)
Consumers Are Now More Likely to Have Positive Opinions About Fast Food
Table Consumer Opinions About Fast Food, 2014 vs. 2019 (percent of adults)
Use of Restaurants Has Remained Relatively Stable
Table Use of Restaurants and Online Grocery Delivery Services, 2014-2019 (percent of adults)
More Consumers Report Being Frequent Visitors of Restaurants, Grocery Stores, and Convenience Stores
Table Number of Times Visited/Shopped at Venue in the Last 4 Weeks/30 Days, 2014-2019 (percent of adults)

Trends and Opportunities

Highlights
Convenience the Ultimate Selling Point for Busy Consumers
U.S. Online Grocery Shopping Well Behind Other Countries, but There Are Opportunities for Prepared Meals
Breakfast vs. Lunch vs. Dinner vs. Non-Peak Hours
Orders at Peak Dining Hours Can Be Supplemented by Third-Parties
"Dark Kitchens" or "Ghost Kitchens" Can Increase Operational Efficiency
Using Dine-In Experiences to Boost Takeout Sales
FDA Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act Makes Nutrition Information Easier to Get for Restaurant Dine-In, Delivery, or Carryout
Convenience Used to Mean Unhealthy Foods, but Restaurant Foods Are Getting Healthier and Even Emphasizing Clean Label Traits
Direct Sellers and Home Delivery Companies Are Increasing Share and Tackling Niche Health Food Markets
Table Selected Meal Delivery Services by Date Founded, Services Offered, and Geographic Area Served
Local and Regional Meal Delivery Companies Are Emphasizing Local Ingredients and Compete with National Providers
Customized Meal Delivery Catering to Special Diets and Weight Loss Plans
Opportunity: Expansion of Carryout and Delivery Options for Children and Families
Opportunity: Expedited Avenues for Ordering Prepared Meals from Grocery and Convenience Stores
Opportunity: Meal Delivery and Carryout From Restaurants and Retail Stores Can Expand Food Options for Older and Disabled Consumers
Opportunity: Multi-Channel Sales and Expanding Options for Ultimate Convenience

Food Takeout and Delivery Market Participants

Highlights
Third-Party Carryout/Delivery Services
Table Selected Third-Party Delivery Services and Years Founded
Grubhub
Uber Eats
DoorDash
Postmates
Aggregator, Reservation, and Review Sites
FoodBoss
OpenTable
Tripadvisor
Yelp
Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs)
Domino's Pizza
Starbucks
McDonald's
Fast Casual Restaurants
Panera Bread
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Full-Service Restaurants
Darden Restaurants (Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse)
Dine Brands Global (Applebee's and IHOP)
Bloomin' Brands (Bonefish Grill, Carrabba's Italian Grill, and Outback Steakhouse)
Retail Stores (Grocery Stores, Supermarkets, Mass Marketers, Warehouse Clubs, Convenience Stores, etc.)
Kroger
Walmart
Costco
7-Eleven
Direct Marketers and Other Meal Providers (Co-ops, Farmers Markets, Delivery Companies, etc.)
Freshly

Packaging Trends

Highlights
Types of Packaging Used in Foodservice and Carryout and Delivery
Quick Service Restaurants
Fast Casual Restaurants
Full-Service Restaurants
Other Foodservice Venues (Institutional Eating and Drinking Establishments, Lodging and Hospitality, Sports and Recreation, etc.)
Retail Stores (Grocery and Convenience Stores, Warehouse Clubs, Mass Retailers, etc.)
Other Retailers (Co-Ops and Farmers' Markets, Direct Marketers and Mail Order/Delivery Companies, etc.)
Bring Your Own Container/Reusable Packaging
Sustainability Issues
Improving Environmental Profiles by Using Recyclable/Sustainable Packaging
Single-Use Products Being Used More for Sanitary Reasons Due to COVID-19
Tamper Evident Packaging for Safety and Peace of Mind
Consumer Packaging Insights
Environmental Attitudes
Table Consumer Opinions on Recycling & Packaging, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019 (percent)
Table Consumer Attitudes on Recycling Packaging and Single-Use Plastics, 2019 (percent)
Opinions on Packaging and Serviceware in Foodservice
Table Consumer Attitudes About Packaging & Serviceware Used in Foodservice, 2019 (percent)
Attitudes About Straws
Table Consumer Attitudes about Disposable and Reusable Straws and Straw Regulations, 2019 (percent)

Consumer Demographics

Highlights
Younger and Lower Income Consumers Are More Likely to Eat Store- Made, Pre-Cooked Meals
Table Use of Store-Made, Pre-Cooked Meals by Age Bracket and Household Income Bracket, 2019 (percent of adults)
Store-Made, Pre-Cooked Meals Are Most Likely to be Used by Minorities
Table Use of Store-Made, Pre-Cooked Meals by Race/Ethnicity, Parenthood, and Gender, 2019 (percent of adults)
Consumers with More Children or Younger Children Have More Reasons to Select Pre-Cooked Options
Table Use of Store-Made, Pre-Cooked Meals by Number and Age of Children in Household, 2019 (percent of adults with children)
Use of Pre-Cooked Meals Higher Among Consumers with Less Education, College Students, Unemployed, and Unmarried People
Table Use of Store-Made, Pre-Cooked Meals by Education, Student Status, Marriage/Partnership, and Employment, 2019 (percent of adults)
Millennials and Generation X Eat Out More and Spend More at Restaurants
Table Money Spent at Restaurants in the Last 30 Days by Age Bracket, 2019 (percent of adults)
Higher Income Consumers More Likely to Dine Out and Spend the Most at Restaurants
Table Money Spent at Restaurants in the Last 30 Days by Household Income Bracket, 2019 (percent of adults)
Men and Consumers with Children Are More Likely to Spend Large Dollar Amounts at Restaurants
Table Money Spent at Restaurants in the Last 30 Days by Gender and Parenthood, 2019 (percent of adults)
White Consumers More Likely to Visit Restaurants, but Most Minority Groups Are More Likely to Be High Spenders
Table Money Spent at Restaurants in the Last 30 Days by Race/Ethnicity, 2019 (percent of adults)
Higher Education Is Correlated with More Restaurant Spending
Table Money Spent at Restaurants in the Last 30 Days by Education, 2019 (percent of adults)
College Students and Full-Time Workers Spend More At Restaurants
Table Money Spent at Restaurants in the Last 30 Days by Student and Employment Status, 2019 (percent of adults)
Married Consumers Are More Likely to Have High Restaurant Spending
Table Money Spent at Restaurants in the Last 30 Days by Marriage/Partnership Status, 2019 (percent of adults)

Consumer Psychographics

Highlights
Women Have More Concerns About Food and Health and Tend to Cook More, Making Prepared Meals a Harder Sell
Table Consumer Opinions on Health, Food, and Nutrition by Gender, 2019 (percent of adults strongly agreeing with statement)
Baby Boomers Are Most Involved with Their Health and Have More Time to Prepare Food
Table Consumer Opinions on Health, Food, and Nutrition by Age Bracket, 2019 (percent of adults strongly agreeing with statement)
Minorities Generally Have More Health and Food-Related Concerns
Table Consumer Opinions on Health, Food, and Nutrition by Race/Ethnicity, 2019 (percent of adults strongly agreeing with statement)
Younger Consumers Are Busy, Sacrifice Time with Family, and Spend More Time Shopping
Table Consumer Feelings on Family, Work/Life Balance, Shopping, and Stress by Age Bracket, 2019 (percent of adults strongly agreeing with statement)
Younger Consumers Who Feel Lonely or Worried Eat More Convenience Food Options
Table Worried and Lonely Consumers: Use of Fast Food & Pre-Cooked Meals, Age 18-24 and 25-34, 2019 (percent of adults)

Coronavirus Creating Evolution in Delivery and Carryout

Highlights
Contactless Transactions
Contactless Delivery & Carryout Intended to Reduce Infection Spread and to Give Peace of Mind
Contactless and Mobile Payments Remove the Need for Signatures or Touching a Potentially Dirty Terminal
Will Contactless Transactions Land With Customers?
People Are Cooking More and Changing How They Shop for Groceries While Stuck at Home: What Does This Mean for Food Takeout and Delivery?
Free Delivery and Other Promotions Offered Temporarily by Big Chain Restaurants to Stimulate Sales Amid Dine-In Closures
Independent Restaurants Offering More Carryout & Delivery Options
Family Meal Portions Becoming the Focus of Many Carryout and Delivery Options at Restaurants

Scope

Report Methodology

Table of Contents

Related Topics

Related Reports

Online Food Delivery Market Size, Share, Trends, Analysis and Forecasts By Region and Outlet Type (Restaurant, Retail, Mobile Operator, Pub, Club and Bar), 2021-2026

Online Food Delivery Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2022 - 2027)

Global Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) Market Factbook (2022 Edition): World Market Review By Brands, Outlets, Delivery Model and Ownership (2016-2026)

Online Food Delivery in Foodservice - Thematic Intelligence

Online Food Delivery Services Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Channel Type (Mobile Application, Websites/Desktop), By Payment Method (COD, Online), By Type, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030