Elevator In the last 12 months takeout and delivery grew by 50% and more than 2 million Canadians who used to eat at restaurants are now eating at home.
Last month some of us attended Restaurants Canada’s conference “Feeding the Recovery.” We learned that for now, an estimated 85% of restaurant meals will continue to be consumed off-premise.
Our message to you? Feed the industry. Order more takeout and delivery from your local and why not opt to enhance a burger with the restaurant’s beer pairing; a salad with the perfect prosecco…a steak with cocktails and a great bottle of wine. We consumers, customers of these great establishments, are yearning for that total dine-in experience and really deserve it. So let’s think about recreating and redefining it in the comfort and safety of our homes, knowing that the splurge is not superfluous – it’s keeping this industry alive.
What’s keeping our local restaurateurs up at night is not about how to get ‘back to before’ but more about new beginnings, the rush to recovery. Takeout and delivery is here to stay in a much more significant way and the ‘experience’ of it all cannot be ignored.
Here’s a short recap of recurring themes on this topic from the conference:
- Local, local, local. Our neighbourhood bars and restaurants need to be supported in order to survive, hashtags like #takeoutday (which is celebrated every Wednesday) help to keep the industry top-of-mind.
- The experience. Quick Service and Fine Dining are busy reimagining an authentic dine-in experience that transcends into customers’ homes – Spotify playlists, quality packaging and utensils…even little customized thank you notes.
- Pairings. There is a much needed role to educate consumers about enhanced takeout and delivery. Beverages are a legit part of it…pair with entrees for a more enjoyable experience.
- “Craveable rewards”. Breakfast orders are down while desserts, steaks, burgers and pizzas are up. Consumers are looking for pick-me-ups and it starts with their favourite treats and comfort foods delivered to their door.
For sure there were undertones of optimism about the return to restaurant life and how to prepare for what the brand new, post pandemic experience feels like.
All of this to say that takeout & delivery will never replace that je ne sais quoi the neighbour pub or favourite fine dining restaurant provides. But for now, every UberEats, DoorDash, etc. is contributing to a happier, healthier business in as much as it satisfies the customer. It’s a win-win. Let’s turn #takeoutday into #takeoutdays.