DoorDash released its 2nd annual Restaurant Online Ordering Trends Report, which takes a deep dive into consumer online ordering preferences and emerging dining trends as to what Americans are ordering online and eating now.
Of course, the restaurant industry has dramatically changed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and off-premise dining is now more important than ever for both restaurants and customers. In fact, in Q1, more consumers than ever before were ordering on DoorDash and there are more DashPass members than ever before.
And that’s certainly reflected in the Restaurant Online Ordering Trends Report, showing that ordering delivery remains a consumer preference with 83 percent of consumers ordering delivery as much or more than they did last year and 86 percent reporting order takeout/pickup as much or more than last year.
So, what is America eating the most in 2022?
Here's a hint: While its origins are hotly debated and the food is even named after a specific country, it's no doubt U.S. consumers love these hot, crispy and fried to golden perfection.
That's right – french fries and American cuisine top the charts for the most ordered food in the country this year, so far.
Indeed, diners are increasingly turning online to get their favorite dishes, like french fries, with same-store pickup orders in the U.S. increasing 15 percent year over year, and same-store delivery orders increasing 11 percent year over year on the DoorDash app and website (Q1 2022 vs. Q1 2021).
So, whether diners are craving french fries or burrito bowls, it is clear delivery has no signs of slowing down and the local neighborhood is hungry to chow down.
Report Highlights
The 2022 report shows diners are not creatures of habit:
- Consumers are swiping right on new restaurants and merchants with 60 percent of consumers having ordered from a new-to-them merchant in Q1'22 (compared to the merchants they ordered from in Q1'21).
- While Friday at 6 p.m. remains the most popular time to order delivery and pickup, consumers aren't just turning to DoorDash as their weekend treat. In fact, more diners are waking up to the smell of breakfast at their door with a 3X increase in breakfast orders between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. on DoorDash (2021 vs. 2020).
- Consumers are adventurous when ordering for delivery or takeout. Only eight percent said they never try a new menu item while 92 percent will often or occasionally try new menu items.
- No meal is complete without the side dish. When it comes to menu categories, U.S. consumers added sides, beverages and appetizers to their cart the most so far in 2022.
- Restaurants can benefit from offering online ordering on marketplaces and their direct websites and social media channels. A total of 37 percent of consumers prefer to order delivery through a third-party platform (up from 27 percent last year). And 38 percent prefer to order delivery directly from the restaurant (down from 43 percent last year).
Fear Not – Netflix and Chill Is Not Dead
Consumers choose delivery over pickup for comfort and ease with 50 percent of consumers reporting ordering delivery is more convenient while 40 percent report they are just not so keen to go out. And when diners turn to online ordering, speed and support reign supreme with 69 percent of consumers reporting that the speed at which they receive their food and access to customer service were top deciding factors when deciding on their delivery method (ordering direct from the restaurant or from a third-party service).
And when consumers do decide to venture out their door, pickup is piquing consumer interest as a way to support local businesses while picking up their food on their time (38 percent), saving on fees (26 percent) or just simply wanting to get out of the house for a bit (25 percent).
To learn more about DoorDash and its variety of products and solutions, visit Get.doordash.com. To download the DoorDash report, click here.
Survey Methodology – Conducted by Dynata on behalf of DoorDash, DoorDash surveyed 1,504 customers across the U.S. from March 23 - March 28, 2022.
DoorDash Data Methodology – DoorDash explored proprietary data from DoorDash platform usage in Q122 and FY21.
Plan to Attend or Participate in
Bar & Restaurant Expo, March 27-29, 2023
To learn about the latest trends, issues and hot topics, and to experience and taste the best products within the bar, restaurant and hospitality industry, plan to attend Bar & Restaurant Expo, March 27-29, 2023 in Las Vegas. Visit BarandRestaurantExpo.com.
To book your sponsorship or exhibit space at Bar & Restaurant Expo, contact:
Veronica Gonnello
(for companies A to G)
e: [email protected]
p: 212-895-8244
Tim Schultz
(for companies H to Q)
e: [email protected]
p: (917) 258-8589
Fadi Alsayegh
(for companies R to Z)
e: [email protected]
p: 917-258-5174
Also, be sure to follow Bar & Restaurant on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest industry news and trends.