Food delivery in Australia - statistics & facts
Australia’s food delivery has taken to the skies; drone delivery company, Wing, rolled out its first large-scale operation in Melbourne in July 2024, in partnership with food delivery giant DoorDash, making food not only a few taps away but brought in minutes. A much-needed respite from cooking, takeaway services have become the quick and convenient answer to Australian consumers’ increasingly busy lifestyles, particularly in urban areas. Coming home to an empty fridge after a long week, Friday evenings are the peak time window for Australians to order their favorite meals to their doorstep, from pizza to sushi. Breakfast takeout and dishes catering to plant-based diets and health-conscious consumers are in higher demand, alongside growing support for sustainable packaging initiatives, including the recently commenced cooperation between Uber Eats and Planet Ark to promote reusable, recyclable, and compostable containers.
Low fees and good ordering experiences were the primary motivators to opt for a particular delivery method. Around half of third-party food delivery app users admitted to ordering takeout two to four times a month, and a few even 10 times or more. While some consumers are open to trying new restaurants and menu items, the majority are creatures of habit and loyal to their familiar favorites. As inflation persists, several seek to reduce their takeout consumption, yet the demands of daily life frequently prevail, leading to unintended last-minute orders.
Australia’s prevailing food delivery front-runners
Delivery platform partnerships are becoming an essential part of food establishments’ livelihood, offering a chance to reach a wider customer network, increase revenue through digital streams, and stay ahead of competitors. With a growing appetite for online food orders, Australia’s takeaway food services revenue reached a ten-year-high in 2023. Following Deliveroo’s exit from the Australian food delivery landscape in November 2022, the market remains dominated by three key players: Uber Eats, Menulog, and DoorDash.Seamless ordering becoming key
Over the past few years, Uber Eats has consistently taken the crown as Australia’s leading online food delivery brand in terms of booking numbers, with competitor Menulog hot on its heels. Alongside major delivery websites and apps, many of the country’s fast-food restaurants record high app usage, including undisputed leaders in downloads MyMacca’s, KFC – Order On The Go, and Hungry Jack’s Deals & Ordering. User-friendly interfaces, easy checkout processes, and integrated marketing have become fundamental in improving app engagement and fostering customer loyalty.Are consumers still taking out their wallets for delivery?
Since 2020, when cafés and restaurants across Australia were forced to close their doors to dine-in customers and adapt their business strategies, takeaway services have thrived. Despite the return of on-premise dining, ordering in remains an attractive option, offering convenience, a break from cooking, and a plethora of special offers. According to a 2023 survey, Australian consumers’ preferred food delivery method was through third-party apps, followed by a restaurant’s own website or app.Low fees and good ordering experiences were the primary motivators to opt for a particular delivery method. Around half of third-party food delivery app users admitted to ordering takeout two to four times a month, and a few even 10 times or more. While some consumers are open to trying new restaurants and menu items, the majority are creatures of habit and loyal to their familiar favorites. As inflation persists, several seek to reduce their takeout consumption, yet the demands of daily life frequently prevail, leading to unintended last-minute orders.
