DoorDash Australia has released its annual ‘Restaurant & Alcohol Online Ordering Trends’ report, revealing the nation’s ordering and dining habits.
Featuring a consumer survey and aggregated DoorDash data, the 2024 report highlights how consumers are turning to DoorDash to meet their diverse culinary, cultural and convenience needs amid the current economic downturn.
Saturday is said to be the most popular night of the week to “DoorDash it”. Paired with the trend of 53% of users ordering from new restaurants, DoorDash says it seems Saturdays are becoming the night to stay in and explore new cuisines.
“Seeing breakfast as the new food delivery moment shows the growing demand and support for local businesses and how convenience platforms are supporting Australians in the different phases of their busy workday,” adds DoorDash Australia General Manager Puji Fernando.
“These insights enable us to improve DoorDash’s offerings, providing our customers with a more personalised and seamless experience through our app.”
The report also unearthed a piqued consumer interest in personalised dining and ordering experiences, with restaurants advised to invest in technology to meet this need.
Continued online ordering growth
Despite the current economic state, 68% of surveyed consumers are ordering food delivery the same or more often than in 2023, with the most popular foods on DoorDash being chicken dishes, pizza, burgers, wagyu beef, and chips.
Culinary exploration
53% of surveyed DoorDash users ordered from new restaurants between Q4 2023 and Q1 2024. This, says DoorDash, points to the dynamic nature of consumer appetites and evolving food delivery options.
Generational differences
Generational differences between Gen Xers and Baby Boomers came to light, with Baby Boomers opting to use their own dishes and utensils, while Gen Zers and Millennials are more inclined to eat straight from the delivery container.
Taking it a step further, 6% of surveyed Australians, including 13% of Gen Zers, often indulge in their DoorDash meals from the comfort of their beds.
“This evolving dining culture shows a lean towards convenience and comfort with 49% [of respondents] preferring to eat on the couch, embracing relaxation and informality, and 39% eating at the kitchen or dining table,” says DoorDash.
Late night and breakfast convenience
The question of Australians being party animals or night owls emerged, says DoorDash, with an increase in orders placed between midnight and 5am.
Orders of breakfast food between 5am and 11am grew, which DoorDash says points to a new trend in breakfast convenience influenced by Australians returning to the office.