Share of U.S. consumer restaurant spending spent on takeout and delivery 2020

Between 2019 and 2020, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic led to a growth in the use of digital restaurant delivery services. Digital delivery services are defined as meals or snacks ordered via mobile app, internet, or text message. As result of the pandemic, the share of consumer restaurant spending spent on takeout and delivery in the United States reached 63 percent in 2020.

How did COVID-19 impact online food delivery in the U.S.?

Due to the pandemic, and a subsequent lack of in-house dining, digital restaurant food orders in the U.S. increased between March 2020 and March 2021. Delivery orders in particular increased by 142 percent, while carry-out orders increased by 130 percent. During that same year, the distribution of digital restaurant food orders in the U.S. was such that carry-out represented 62 percent of all digital orders and delivery represented 38 percent of all digital orders.

How big is the online restaurant delivery market worldwide?

In 2019, the global market size of the online food delivery sector reached 107.44 billion U.S. dollars. This figure was forecast to rise to as much as 154.34 billion U.S. dollars by 2023. The sector became especially relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic, where social distancing and hygiene measures caused many restaurants to close their doors to the public. At the start of 2020, there was a dramatic decline in sit-down dining worldwide However, this did not continue throughout the year, with the number of seated diners fluctuating depending on regulations and COVID-19 case numbers.