Most urban consumers say takeout and drive-thru meals are essential.
Consumers are increasingly opting for takeout and drive-thru meals instead of sitting down at restaurants.
That’s according to the National Restaurant Association’s 2024 Off-Premises Restaurant Trends report, which found that nearly 75% of all restaurant traffic now happens off-premises. Gen Z and millennials are leading the way, with two-thirds saying that takeout is “essential” to their lifestyle. Nearly six-in-10 use takeout or drive-thru at least weekly, and more than 60% say they’re ordering off-premises more often than a year ago.
The report found that mobile ordering is mainstream, used by 57% of adults recently including 74% of millennials and 65% of Gen Z adults. Older adults still prefer in-person ordering, but takeout is the most frequent off-premises method, followed by drive-thru and delivery.
[READ MORE: Survey: Food quality, value leading change in restaurant preferences]
Sixty-five percent of limited-service restaurant operators now offer delivery, with many expecting curbside and dedicated takeout areas to be even more common in 2025. Fewer full-service restaurants currently offer off-premises services. However, 43% expect curbside pickup to grow, 31% anticipate more dedicated takeout counters, and 12% foresee more drive-thru lanes in the future.
Most urban consumers say takeout and drive-thru meals are essential, while two-thirds (67%) of rural consumers wish they had more options for takeout.
https://chainstoreage.com/survey-three-quarters-restaurant-meals-consumed-premises