A new report by DoorDash, 2022 Restaurant Online Ordering Trends, explores how off-premise dining and third-party delivery continue to build momentum in Australia. Comparing Q1 2022 and Q1 2021 data, we found that same-store pickup orders in Australia using the DoorDash app increased 90% year over year while delivery orders increased 92%.
The trend toward consumer convenience isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Read on for an overview of modern food delivery trends, evolving consumer preferences, and actionable tips for consistently delivering an unparalleled digital dining experience.
Want more than a small bite of the data? Dig into the details by downloading the full report.
Consumers are ordering delivery and pickup as much or more than last year
The evidence that food delivery and pickup are here to stay is in the numbers: 83% of Australian consumers order takeout or pickup as much or more than they did last year, while 83% order delivery as much or more than they did last year.
That said, consumers are still whipping up their favorite meals in their own kitchens too. In March 2022, the most common activities were cooking (83%), grabbing takeout/pickup from a restaurant (81%), or ordering food delivery from a restaurant (61%).
As pandemic restrictions wane, dining in is also seeing a resurgence, with 70% of consumers dining inside a restaurant as much as or more than they did last year.
Customer cravings revealed: American cuisine tops the list
This past year, food delivery trends revealed that Australians can’t get enough of American cuisine. Chips were the most widely ordered delivery and pickup item in Australia, with chicken nuggets and hamburgers close behind.
Beyond ordering their favorite American dishes, consumers also used third-party platforms to find their next favorite flavor or restaurant. In Q1 2022, 39% of Australian consumers ordered from a merchant they hadn’t previously ordered from on DoorDash — and 27% of consumers said they often try new menu items, while 67% occasionally try new menu items.
Digital ordering is more important than ever
When asked how they decide to order delivery or takeout, consumers said they frequently pull out their phones or computers. Before placing an order, they enjoy using third-party platforms to browse their options and compare menus.
There’s been a stark change in consumer behaviour from last year. When ordering food delivery or takeout in 2021, the majority of people first thought about nearby restaurants. In 2022, 31% more consumers start by turning to a food takeout/delivery app or website, and 18% more turn to a restaurant’s app or website.
On-demand delivery is in demand
In an increasingly busy world, delivery provides customers with convenient access to delicious, high-quality food — and that level of convenience isn’t going out of style. According to survey data, 46% of consumers ordered delivery from a restaurant via a third-party app or website and 39% of consumers ordered via a restaurant’s app or website.
When choosing a delivery method (whether that’s ordering directly from a restaurant or via a third-party app), customers prioritized low fees (74%), a good ordering experience (71%), and accurate delivery time estimates (70%).
Pickup and online ordering prevail
Not only do customers want the option to pick up fresh, restaurant-quality food — they also want the process to be convenient and affordable. Survey data shows that most customers choose pickup because it’s more convenient, familiar, and easy to use.
45% of customers prefer to order pickup through a restaurant’s website or app, while 31% of customers prefer to order pickup by calling the restaurant. Another 20% of customers prefer to order pickup through a third-party website or app.
Data also shows that consumers prefer to order pickup because they can get the food faster (36%), they happen to be near the restaurant (31%), and fees are lower (27%).
Online ordering is here to stay
A strong online presence and great website can help increase customer awareness and drive sales — catching the eye of locals who may become repeat customers. DoorDash Storefront is an integral part of helping restaurants enhance their online experience and generate additional sales.
Based near Perth in Western Australia, RoyAl’s Chicken and Burgers is a not-so-classic burger joint. With a name that gives a nod to Pulp Fiction, the restaurant is known for two best-sellers: the “RoyAl with Cheese,” a quintessential cheeseburger with a double layer of cheese, ketchup, mustard, and pickled onions, and the “Chicken RoyAl,” a buttermilk fried chicken burger topped with lettuce, tomato, creole remoulade, and fancy sauce.
RoyAl’s became a DoorDash partner in June 2021 to connect with more customers in their neighborhood. They learned their consumers’ evolving preferences and optimized their online ordering process accordingly. Read their full story here.
Tech helps us run every aspect of our lives—and platforms like DoorDash are crucial for helping us run our business.
Fuel business growth with DoorDash
The biggest takeaway from this year’s report? As the foodservice landscape continues to evolve, it’s clear that off-premise dining is here to stay. Australian consumers value flexibility and enjoy having instant access to delicious food — so choosing the right online platform for your restaurant is a great way to satisfy their needs.
Craving more in-depth insights about the evolving restaurant landscape and consumers' online ordering trends? Download the 2022 Restaurant Online Ordering Trends Report to get ahead of customer needs and strengthen your digital dining experience.
If you’re interested in partnering with DoorDash, explore our products and pricing and get started today.
Survey conducted by Dynata on behalf of DoorDash. DoorDash surveyed 1,006 consumers across Australia from March 31 through April 4, 2022. DoorDash also explored proprietary data from DoorDash platform usage in Q122 and FY21.
