Diners 5 Times More Likely to Order Takeout Than Delivery

While food delivery on demand is here to stay, restaurants may still find it makes more sense to focus on their takeout business given consumers’ shifting preference for pickup.

By the Numbers

Research from the June edition of PYMNTS’ Digital Divide study, “The Digital Divide: Technology, Customer Service and Innovation in the Restaurant Industry,” which drew from a survey of nearly 2,400 U.S. adults who regularly buy food from restaurants, found that 38.3% of consumers prefer ordering their restaurant meals for pickup, while just 6.9% prefer ordering their meals to be delivered.

The Data in Action

Even quick-service restaurant (QSR) giant Domino’s, which has more than 19,500 stores around the world, and which is known for its extensive delivery business, is noticing that pickup sales are trending more positive than delivery.

The company shared Thursday (Oct. 13) on a call with analysts regarding its third-quarter 2022 financial results that carryout same-store sales grew 19.6% year over year in the quarter. Plus, these sales were up 55% relative to Q3 2019. Meanwhile, delivery sales were down 7.5% year over year. However, the company expects delivery recovery going forward.

Read more: Amid Delivery Pressure, Domino’s Drives 20% Increase in Pickup

“Staffing remains a constraint, but my confidence in our ability to solve many of our delivery labor challenges ourselves has grown over the past few quarters,” CEO Russell Weiner told analysts. “While we still have work to do to get back to our highest standards for delivery service, I am encouraged by the progress we’ve made so far.”