Britain’s lockdown love affair with takeaway food deliveries saw a 42% increase in orders during the pandemic.
And that rise in takeaway food orders shows no sign of reducing, even though many restaurants are now open for business.
Business is indeed booming for takeaway food delivery firms – and the reopening of restaurants doesn’t look likely to halt that growth any time soon.
Foodhub, one of the UK’s leading food ordering apps, has revealed that despite the reopening of outdoor restaurant hospitality in April, more Brits than ever are tucking into a regular takeaway treat, compared to pre-lockdown last year.
Foodhub spokesman, Ardian Mula, said: “Over the past 12 months, ordering a takeaway meal rather than choosing to cook at home, has become something of a national past-time. Even with the reopening of restaurants, that doesn’t look set to change, as even though families can now go out to eat, the volume of takeaway orders is not diminishing.
“Here at Foodhub, our customers have enjoyed more takeaway meals than ever before. We don’t follow a commission model, so this enables our takeaway partners to offer better prices and deals to our customers, resulting in a cost saving of 15% on most takeaway meals for our customers – unlike with other online food delivery platforms.”
Analysts from Foodhub have discovered that when comparing order volumes in January 2020 (before restrictions), to when the country experienced a complete lockdown in April 2020, there was a 65% increase in takeaway orders across Foodhub’s platform.
The country still wanted food cooked for them and looked to support local restaurants with a takeaway delivery directly to their door.
Many commentators expected a slowdown or reduction in takeaway food delivery orders as lockdown restrictions slowly lifted in the past month and people were able to get out to restaurants again.
In fact, year-on-year, there has been a 42% increase in takeaway orders in April 2021 when compared to April 2020.
Foodhub expects the demand for takeaway food will continue to remain high as the UK comes out of the pandemic and restaurants are able to fully reopen, including inside dining, from June 21st.
So, while Brits have been rejoicing at the easing of lockdown restrictions, a few drinks at the newly reopened pub is still being followed by a takeaway meal ordered from the comfort of their own home afterwards.
Ardian Mula added: “This past year has been a tough time for everyone and we’re so happy to see the reopening of hospitality venues across the country.
“We’re also thrilled that we’ve been able to offer restaurants and cafes the opportunity to join the Foodhub platform to provide takeaway options, offering them a chance to maintain their business even though they had to close their doors.
“We saw a 65% increase in the number of takeaway meals ordered via Foodhub from January 2020 to April 2020 as lockdown first hit. And, subsequently, despite the easing of lockdown, we’ve seen a 42% increase in orders from April 2020 to April 2021. There is no sign that Britain’s love of great takeaway food is at risk of dilution.”
Foodhub currently has over 20,000 restaurant and takeaway partners in the UK and is the only major food ordering app not to charge a service fee for each order. To find out how meals ordered via Foodhub are on average 15% cheaper than other providers, visit www.foodhub.co.uk.
