Understanding what consumers want can help you identify the ideal restaurant partners to ensure your restaurant delivery service success.
As a Restaurant Delivery Service (RDS) owner, you have two customers: your restaurant partners and the people placing orders for restaurant delivery. Your key to success lies in understanding the needs of both these audiences.
The team over at Nextbite recently shared the results of a survey on “what consumers really want from delivery.” They uncovered many interesting insights and hard data on how and why people order restaurant delivery. We’re sharing three key takeaways and what they mean for your RDS.
People of all ages like restaurant delivery.
Millennials used to be the poster generation for restaurant delivery, but times have changed. During the long days of shelter-in-place, many people tried restaurant delivery for the first time—and nearly every one got hooked. Over 40% of Nextbite’s survey participants aged 18-65 now order restaurant delivery at least once a month.
When choosing restaurants to work with, be sure to ask about their diner demographics. Don’t just focus on trendy places that attract young professionals. Partnering with family-friendly favorites and restaurants will attract diners of all ages, stages, and lifestyles. Offering options that appeal to multiple generations is a sound strategy for Restaurant Delivery Service success.
People like a variety of restaurant delivery choices.
According to the Nextbite survey, 71% of people rated variety as an important or very important factor in choosing where to order food. Our take: It’s good for your RDS to branch out, too. Make sure you’re working with a variety of different restaurants. Ideally, your restaurant clients should represent a blend of cuisines, styles, and price points, so your loyal customers have choices. An unexpected benefit: When consumers have more options, they’re more likely to try new things.
Be sure to think about dietary restrictions too. Vegans, gluten-free eaters, and other people with limits are eager for better options. Do your best to ensure multiple choices for these customers as well. Check the menus of your restaurant clients to make sure there’s an array of choices. People with dietary restrictions often have strong peer networks, both in-person and online. They talk to each other frequently to share recommendations. If they know you offer many options, they’ll tell their friends.
People also stick with restaurants they know and trust.
Variety is the spice of life, but there’s also a pleasure to be found in the familiar. 76% of Nextbite’s survey participants stated that familiarity and trust are essential.
This means striking a balance between trendy new spots and old favorites for your RDS. There’s good business sense in being the first RDS to approach the newest restaurant in town. But don’t overlook the classics. Partnering up with a few local favorites is an excellent strategy for boosting your restaurant delivery service.
Be sure to consider some well-known chains, too. They may have a pre-existing partnership with a national RDS, but that’s not always the case. You can tap into that brand awareness to grow your RDS.
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No matter how busy you are, be sure to keep tabs on how people eat. You may learn something valuable and grow your RDS.