Online restaurant delivery growth worldwide 2019-2020, by country

Between 2019 and 2020, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic led to a growth in the use of digital restaurant delivery services across 13 countries worldwide. Digital delivery services are defined as meals or snacks ordered via mobile app, internet, or text message. In total, digital restaurant delivery increased 67 percent globally, with the United States increasing the most at 123 percent.

Online restaurant delivery market worldwide

In 2019, the market size of the global online food delivery sector reached 107.44 billion U.S. dollars. This figure was forecast to rise to as much as 154.34 billion by 2023. The sector became especially relevant during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, where social distancing and hygiene measures caused many restaurants to have to close their doors to the public. At the start of 2020, there was a dramatic decline in sit-down dining worldwide. However, this did not continue throughout the year, with the number of seated diners fluctuating depending on regulations and COVID-19 case numbers.

Impact of COVID-19 on U.S. online food delivery

The United States saw an increase in digital restaurant food orders between March 2020 and March 2021. Delivery orders increased by 142 percent, while carry-out orders increased by 130 percent. During that same year, the distribution of digital restaurant food orders was such that carry-out represented 62 percent of all digital orders and delivery represented 38 percent of all digital orders.