As the food delivery market continues to evolve, restaurants and food delivery companies are constantly looking for new ways to meet customer expectations and streamline operations. One feature that has gained significant traction in recent years is the takeaway option, a crucial addition for businesses looking to diversify their offerings and optimise revenue streams.
When Is It Important To Introduce a Takeaway Feature?
High demand locations
In densely populated or high-traffic areas, offering takeaway allows restaurants to tap into a customer base that prefers to pick up their orders and avoid waiting for delivery. For businesses with a high volume of foot traffic, this feature can enhance operational efficiency.
Streamline operations during peak times
If your business experiences a spike in orders during peak hours (e.g. lunchtime, weekends), enabling takeaway can help ease the pressure on delivery logistics. This gives your kitchen a balanced workflow, especially when couriers are busy.
Limited delivery resources
Smaller businesses or those in areas where delivery services are more difficult to maintain (rural areas or cities with heavy traffic) can still participate in the food delivery ecosystem by offering a takeaway option.
Niche markets
For businesses located in areas where customers typically prefer to eat out or cook at home, adding a takeaway option offers convenience while saving on delivery fees.
Key benefits of the takeaway feature
Increased revenue stream
Takeaway opens up a new revenue stream. Globally, food delivery services have found that Takeaway orders account for 10-15% of the total order volume in businesses that offer it. This creates an additional opportunity to serve customers who don't want delivery but prefer the convenience of pre-ordering.
Lower operating costs
Takeaway eliminates the need for delivery infrastructure, reducing costs associated with hiring couriers or paying third party services. This allows for higher profit margins on each order.
Improved customer experience
Giving customers the flexibility to collect their orders when it suits them builds loyalty. It can also increase the number of repeat customers, especially in busy areas where people want food quickly without having to wait for delivery.
Faster turnover at peak times
By offering takeaway food, food delivery platforms can reduce bottlenecks at busy times. This faster turnover helps to free up kitchen capacity to take on more orders overall.
Global Takeaway Statistics and Revenue Impact
Worldwide, the Takeaway feature has gained momentum, particularly as consumer preferences shift toward convenience. According to global statistics:
70% of consumers say they are more likely to order from a restaurant that offers both delivery and takeaway options.
In markets such as the US, 43% of total food orders are made via takeaway, underlining its popularity.
In Europe, particularly the UK and France, takeaway orders account for 15-20% of total food delivery transactions.
Expansion into emerging markets:
MENA
Takeaway is rapidly gaining traction, with 25% of food delivery orders in the region being takeaway, as consumers seek faster and more flexible meal options. Growth is being driven by urbanisation and a young, tech-savvy population.
Africa
In African markets, particularly South Africa and Nigeria, takeaway orders account for around 18% of total food delivery transactions. The increase is attributed to rising smartphone penetration and the expansion of food delivery platforms.
LATAM
Takeaway is becoming increasingly popular, accounting for 20-25% of food delivery orders in countries such as Brazil and Mexico. This feature helps local businesses reach a wider customer base and adapt to changing consumer behaviour.
In terms of sales analysis, the introduction of a takeaway option can lead to a 5-10% increase in total sales within the first six months, especially if it is well promoted through mobile apps, web marketplaces and digital marketing. It also tends to improve overall operational efficiency, leading to improved margins, as businesses can avoid delivery costs.
Maximize the Takeaway Feature for Your Business
For food delivery businesses considering launching a takeaway feature, focusing on these areas will help maximise the impact:
Ensure the takeaway option is prominently featured on your app or website. Promoting the convenience factor to your existing customer base via email or in-app notifications is key.
Optimise the pick-up experience, ensuring your restaurant has clear signage, easy parking or pick-up locations, and well-organised workflows to minimise wait times for customers picking up their orders.
Track takeaway orders separately and analyse customer behaviour. Are they more frequent at certain times of the day? Are certain takeaway menu items more popular? Use these insights to improve both menu offerings and marketing strategies.
Takeaway isn't just a convenience for customers — it's an opportunity for food delivery services to increase revenue, streamline operations and capture a broader market segment. With global consumer trends showing strong demand for this option, integrating takeaway into your delivery business model is a smart, low-risk way to increase profits and improve customer satisfaction.
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