As the restaurant industry navigates the ever-evolving landscape of delivery and takeout, savvy operators are seeking ways to boost their delivery sales and orders. With the North American online food delivery market projected to reach £105.8 billion by 2033, the potential for growth is immense.
Key Takeaways:
- Leverage the rising demand for delivery, especially among younger demographics.
- Address current industry challenges like menu price inflation and consumer pricing frustration.
- Prioritise the essential features that customers desire for a seamless delivery experience.
- Explore technology solutions to streamline delivery management and operations.
- Continuously optimise your delivery strategy to stay ahead of the competition.
Tapping into the Delivery Demand
The North American online food delivery market is booming, having reached £38.0 billion in 2024 and projected to grow to £105.8 billion by 2033, a CAGR of 11.57% during 2025-2033. This surge in demand is driven by changing consumer habits, with 37% of adults ordering delivery once a week and even higher rates among millennials and GenZ (more than 6 in 10 younger adults).
Overcoming Industry Challenges
While the delivery market is expanding, restaurants are facing their own set of challenges. U.S. chain sales grew by just 3.1% in 2024, less than the 4.1% menu-price inflation rate. Furthermore, food-at-home prices increased only 1.2% compared to restaurant menu inflation, causing consumer pricing frustration. Major chains like KFC, Panera, and Starbucks experienced declining sales, while even Chick-fil-A reported its slowest growth in at least 20 years.
To overcome these obstacles and capitalise on the delivery demand, restaurants must focus on delivering exceptional value and customer experience. This includes optimising their menus and leveraging innovative ordering technologies to streamline the delivery process.
Essential Features for Delivery Success
To increase restaurant delivery sales and orders, it’s crucial to prioritise the key features that customers value most. According to industry experts, the “off-premises must-haves” include:
- Speedy service – Customers expect their orders to be delivered quickly and efficiently.
- Good customer service – Responsive and helpful support throughout the ordering and delivery process.
- Intuitive technology for ordering and paying – A seamless digital experience that is user-friendly.
- Value offers – Promotions, discounts, and bundle deals that provide a sense of value.
- Loyalty programs – Incentives and rewards to encourage repeat business.
Furthermore, a solid majority of consumers wish they had even more delivery choices available, indicating a pent-up demand that restaurants can tap into.
Leveraging Delivery Management Technology
To effectively manage and optimise their delivery operations, restaurants can leverage a range of dedicated software solutions. Some of the top delivery management providers include AppsRhino, Zippykind, Onfleet, Tookan, Shipday, GetSwift, Deliverect, Track-POD, and Route4Me.
These platforms offer a suite of features that can help restaurants streamline their delivery processes, including:
- Real-time order tracking – Providing customers with visibility into the status of their orders.
- Smart driver management – Efficient scheduling, dispatching, and monitoring of delivery drivers.
- POS integrations – Seamless integration with the restaurant’s point-of-sale system.
- Route optimization – Algorithms that calculate the most efficient delivery routes.
- Auto-dispatching – Automated assignment of orders to available drivers.
By leveraging these technology solutions, restaurants can improve their delivery operations, enhance the customer experience, and ultimately drive increased sales and orders.
Conclusion
In the ever-evolving restaurant delivery landscape, operators who adapt and innovate will be poised to capture a larger share of the market. By understanding the key trends, addressing industry challenges, prioritising essential delivery features, and utilising cutting-edge technology, restaurants can significantly increase their delivery sales and orders.
Remember, the key to success lies in continuously optimising your delivery strategy, staying ahead of the competition, and providing your customers with a seamless and exceptional delivery experience.
Sources:
ACSI Restaurant and Food Delivery Study 2025
Top 9 Food Delivery Management Software Providers
North America Online Food Delivery Analysis Report 2025
Off-Premises Restaurant Trends 2025
