Focus on the Home Delivery Market for the Restaurant Industry

The Home Delivery Market and Its Boom Since 2020

The home delivery market for restaurants has been evolving and expanding rapidly over the past few years. The demand for home delivery is increasing as more people seek convenient and fast ways to have meals delivered to their homes. The restaurant delivery market is booming, particularly with delivery apps like Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Just Eat, HelloFresh, etc., which are becoming increasingly popular. These apps simplify the ordering and delivery of prepared meals and grocery items.
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Restaurants are also turning to home delivery to reach more customers and boost their sales. Food delivery services provide a platform for restaurants to reach customers who cannot physically visit a restaurant. However, restaurants and home delivery services also face challenges. Restaurants must maintain food quality during delivery and balance the cost of delivery with ingredient costs. Similarly, delivery services must ensure that orders are delivered on time and that food arrives fresh and hot. They also need to maintain good relationships with restaurants to ensure a long-term partnership.

The home delivery market experienced significant growth with the onset of COVID-19 in 2020. Due to lockdowns and social distancing measures, many consumers turned to home delivery for food, as well as for essential products and non-essential items. Delivery services saw unprecedented phenomenal growth. Major market players such as Uber Eats and Deliveroo experienced significant revenue growth in 2020, with an average increase of 50% to 100% year over year. Restaurants quickly established home delivery services to stay in business and meet the growing consumer demand.

The pandemic triggered the growth of the home delivery market, but this trend is expected to persist. Indeed, many consumers have now become accustomed to ordering online and having food delivered to their homes for reasons of convenience and speed. Couriers continue to innovate by offering faster and cheaper delivery options, extended menu choices, and fresher products to meet consumer needs.

Who are the Customers Ordering Home Deliveries?

The profile of customers who prefer home delivery varies based on several factors, including age, income level, lifestyle, eating habits, and geographic location. However, some trends can be observed.
Young adults are often considered the primary target. Older adults are also an increasingly targeted group, especially since the start of the pandemic, as they are more vulnerable to COVID-19 and are encouraged to avoid physical contact. Finally, busy professionals who neither have the time nor the energy to cook represent a significant portion of home delivery customers.

Regarding the income level of customers, it can range from low to high. However, those with higher incomes tend to order higher quality and more expensive meals.

Lastly, geographic location can also play an important role in choosing home delivery. Individuals living in large cities, where life is more hectic, are more likely to order takeout, while customers in rural areas, where access to food is more limited, are also more likely to opt for home delivery, which can be more convenient and affordable.

The Benefits of Home Meal Delivery for Consumers

Home meal delivery offers several benefits to consumers:

• Comfort and Convenience: Home delivery services allow consumers to order meals online and have them delivered directly to their homes. This eliminates the need to leave the house, go to the restaurant, queue to order, or wait for a table.
• Time-Saving: By not having to leave their homes to eat, consumers save time that can be spent on other activities.
• Diversity: Home delivery platforms offer a wide variety of restaurants and cuisines, allowing consumers to explore new options and try dishes they might not have otherwise.
• A Benefit for People with Reduced Mobility: Meal delivery is a convenient option for disabled individuals who have difficulty moving around or accessing restaurants.
• 24/7 Service: Home delivery platforms operate around the clock, allowing consumers to order meals at any time of the day, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night snacks.
• Real-Time Order Tracking: Consumers can track the status of their orders in real-time and know exactly when they will be delivered, allowing them to plan their schedules accordingly.

Types of Meals Most Commonly Ordered for Home Delivery

The most commonly ordered meals for home delivery are:

• Pizzas: This traditional Italian dish is one of the most popular items for home delivery due to its portability and ease of reheating.
• Asian Cuisine: Including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Thai cuisines, it is also very popular due to its wide variety of menu choices and ease of packaging.
• Fast Food: Items like burgers, fries, and hot dogs are also popular for home delivery because of their easy preparation and packaging.
• Indian Cuisine: Highly popular due to its variety, spicy flavors, and unique aromas.
• Sandwiches: Popular because they are easy to transport and eat.

Key Players in the Restaurant Home Delivery Market

In the restaurant industry, the home delivery market is highly competitive and constantly evolving. Key players in this market include:

• Uber Eats: One of the top delivery apps due to the success of the UBER app for taxis. Uber Eats works with numerous restaurants, from international chains like McDonald’s to local eateries, thus catering to nearly all customers’ desires.
• Deliveroo: This service allows you to order food from any restaurant, from fast-food joints to fine dining establishments. This app has become one of the most popular in Europe in recent years.
• Just Eat: Formerly “Allo Resto“, this service partners with thousands of restaurants offering meal delivery services in hundreds of cities across France.
• Frichti: Known for home meal delivery as well as its online supermarket. This app stands out for its originality and ability to deliver fresh products and items from local artisans. It is currently only available in Paris and its suburbs, Bordeaux, Lyon, and Lille.
• FoodChéri: With this app, you can have your lunch delivered in just a few clicks, whether at home or at the office. All products are prepared in FoodChéri’s kitchens using fresh, seasonal ingredients. FoodChéri is available in Paris, Lyon, and Bordeaux.
• Too Good To Go: Although this company does not actually offer food delivery services, it helps combat food waste by allowing consumers to purchase unsold items from restaurants and grocery stores at discounted prices at the end of the day.

How to Benefit from This Trend for Your Business?

Home meal delivery can also be beneficial for bakeries and patisseries. Here are some tips for utilizing this service in your bakery or patisserie:

• Offer an Expanded Product Range: In addition to bread and pastries, offer on-the-go snacks such as breakfast items, lunch, sandwiches, quiches, or salads. Maé offers a wide selection of silicone molds to help you expand your product range.
• Promote Your Products Online: Use social media to promote your products and offer special deals. Post eye-catching photos of products to entice customers.
• Offer Online Ordering: Allow customers to order online and have their deliveries easily brought to their homes. Ensure that your website is easy to use and that the ordering process is simple and quick.
• Use Delivery-Friendly Packaging: To ensure your products are delivered in good condition, invest in suitable packaging such as a sturdy box or paper bag.
• Build Customer Loyalty: Offer discounts and special offers to loyal customers to encourage repeat orders. Implement a loyalty card system to reward your faithful customers!