For those who wonder if mobile food ordering will drop off as the pandemic becomes endemic and fades into the background of things we dislike but must deal with — like that obnoxious cousin who never fails to ruin a party — we say, “you can stop wondering now.”
The trend isn’t going anywhere, and the Provider Ranking of Mobile Order-Ahead Apps is proof positive. Here we find the pick of the pack, the cream of the crop, the geniuses of quick-service restaurant (QSR) and fast-food apps, slugging it out month after month for a handful of spots at the top of the charts.
Why? Because people must eat, plus, it’s been scientifically proven that app orders taste better.
Our latest ranking illustrates the slings and arrows of this vast sector, as the biggest brands dominate with scale and huge marketing budgets, while contenders move in and out of chart positions, seeking their own level.
This month’s ranking is unique in that it contains what we believe is the first-ever four-way tie.
Curious? Then tuck in and see what we’re serving.
The Top 5
Last month there was a shakeup at the very top of the charts, but that has since settled into a Top 5 that’s unchanged, which is good news if you enjoy coffee with your pizza and tacos.
Taking No. 1 again it’s the Dunkin’ app, integrated with the Dunkin’ prepaid card.
At No. 2 it’s Domino’s Pizza, whose guarantee that carside delivery orders will be brought out within two minutes of arrival or you get a free pizza is proving simply irresistible. Be that as it may, it’s still a tie at No. 2, with mighty Starbucks pacing its pizza-purveying competitor with chess moves like bringing out pumpkin spiced lattes in August, ahead of fall foliage season.
The Panera Bread app is baked into its No. 3 position for another month.
Also holding its own is the Taco Bell app at No. 4, whose new digitally integrated smaller footprint store design appears to be going over quite well with taco lovers everywhere.
Closing out the Top 5 at No. 5 is another repeater, the Chick-Fil-A app, showing the remarkable resilience (and inherent deliciousness) of chicken. Also, you’ve got to love their ads.
The Top 10
We now move on to something that has never happened. We’ve got a four-way tie for sixth place.
Starting with the big gainers, the Chipotle Mexican Grill app flies up three chart positions from last cycle, as does Papa John’s Pizza, rising like pizza dough three spots also. The two QSR brands join a pair that were already tied for No. 6 — the Pizza Hut and Wingstop apps — forming a mouthwatering block of MOA apps all vying for the same chart position.
Can’t wait to see what happens here next cycle.
Keeping its throne at No. 7 for another month it’s the Burger King app, after rolling out its new Royal Perks loyalty program at two-thirds of the chain’s U.S. locations in September.
Keeping with the burger theme, it’s the McDonald’s app at No. 8 for another cycle. Bringing back the McRib sandwich for mobile order-ahead app and loyalty users was a clever move.
Also keeping a good hold on its ranking real estate is the Sonic app at No. 9 for another cycle.
Taking us out of this Provider Ranking of Mobile Order-Ahead Apps at No. 10 once again is the Sheetz app, which continues to amaze with its consistent showing here.
If anyone asks “what do you want for dinner” just send them this link and be done with it.
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