Approximately 3,000 takeaways have joined the Just Eat platform since lockdown began, and eating habits have also seen some big changes.
Dinner orders now start up to two-and-a-half hours earlier, at 5pm and there has been a 36% rise in dessert orders - with chocolate fudge cake taking top spot.
And according to research by Vanarama, families and housemates are coming together to eat more meals, more often - often placing larger orders as they choose to eat together rather than separately.
And customers are opting for healthier options mid-week, with sushi, salads and grilled chicken proving popular for weekday lunches and suppers.
In the UK, expenditure on takeaways has increased by 15% since 2015 and is forecasted to continue rising for years to come.
One of the reasons that food delivery continues to be a booming sector is the ever-increasing choice of food on offer, responding quickly to the changes in consumer appetites.
The Fastest Growing Cuisines (2016-2018)
- Vegan 388%
- Desserts 239%
- Pakistani 73%
- Greek 68%
- Persian 34%
- Thai 23%
- Nepalese 16%
- Japanese 7%
Vehicle leasing company Vanarama has created a 10-step guide to turning your restaurant into a food delivery service.
1. Decide if delivery is worth offering
2. Learn the law
3. Ensure the safety of your staff
4. Optimise your kitchen
5. Set up a delivery space
6. Set up online ordering
7. Promote your delivery service
8. Dedicate an employee for delivery
9. Invest in the right packaging
10. Establish a delivery procedure
