Why Food Ordering Apps Are Changing the Way We Eat?

Why Food Ordering Apps Are Changing the Way We Eat?

Imagine travelling back in time: you are hungry but tired. Yet, you are still overwhelmingly tempted to eat your favourite food, which entails some shopping, chopping and cooking. Don't forget to wash the pot first, and you certainly have to perform that entire process without skipping any of the steps. Even when you head out to a restaurant, you need to get ready; however, now, there is an option available to you. You can order your favourite food fresh and have it brought to your front door within about half an hour. That is the simplest way to comprehend how online food delivery apps have changed the way we eat. Ordering food is not limited to food ordering apps or just getting it delivered, but this blog will explain how food delivery apps have made our lives easier and have had a tremendous impact on the food business.

1. Convenience of Eating Wherever and Whenever

The traditional way of eating is affected by location and time, as food delivery apps have affected the way. Before the app, food was often just about calling a restaurant, trying to decide which of the limited deliveries to choose from, or going out to eat. Now we can order just about everything we want while sitting on the couch, at work late, or sitting in our favourite park. Such a sort of ability to access food in this way has led to the formation of some very questionable eating habits. Craving sushi at 11 PM? No problem. Want breakfast delivered to your desk at 9 AM? No problem. 

2. Influence on Eating Patterns and Lifestyles

Food delivery apps drastically changed how people eat. Speed and convenience are two factors that are often prioritised over dining out or eating out altogether. The notion of “home-cooked meals" has changed. A good meal, for some, in the present moment, means a meal comes fast and can satiate a craving, rather than who cooked the meal previously. The rise of quick delivery formats undermines how many people view snacking and eating casually, and has also increased the frequency of this kind of behaviour. 

It changes how many people view their daily food consumption from structured meals towards smaller and more frequent meals based on the ambience of the moment, or simply their schedule for the day. Also, a personalised experience on the app suggests food options based on past orders, geographic location, or sometimes even weather. There are patterns in the suggestions and the ways they nudge users towards these suggestions, usually without them knowing. 

3. Evolution of the Restaurant Industry

Restaurants have had to adapt to continue operating in the new digital landscape. Many now operate “virtual kitchens” or “ghost kitchens” that use only online orders and do not have a physical restaurant or dine-in function. As captive customers in their physical location without a need for delivery, restaurants incur the costs of a physical restaurant: rent, utilities, and staff. 

Ghost kitchens alleviate the need to have a physical location and the costs that accompany it. A ghost kitchen can operate multiple brands or menus, by a single kitchen exclusively within a delivery app, increasing profitability while lowering costs. Now, restaurants optimise their menu for delivery. Different dishes that travel well, taste the same, and look appealing upon arrival are prioritised. Packaging has become more important to keep the food warm and the delivery presentation intact.

4. Food delivery apps economics

Food delivery apps are offering restaurants a whole new set of revenue streams, but these also come with a lot of costs and negatives. Delivery apps take their cut in commissions, and sometimes this can be the equivalent of a discount or more off the price of an order, which can be a huge cut to restaurant profits. To counteract this, some restaurants raise menu prices for delivery orders or only offer certain promotions for in-store pickups. 

Some restaurants choose to partner with as many delivery apps as possible, while others create their delivery method to have more control and retain more revenue. The economy is not only affected by restaurants. Consumers are also aware of how much their order can balloon with not only delivery charges, but also service fees and tips, which can often add up to a not insignificant amount. For the majority of regular users, this perceived convenience, while expensive, is worth the price.

5. Consumer Expectations are Changing

Food delivery Apps have raised the bar on consumer expectations higher than ever before. Customers expect faster delivery times, tracking of orders in real time, and the best food quality upon arrival. One negative experience that customers have, like receiving a cold meal or an ordered meal late, could result in lost customers and bad reviews.  That puts pressure on restaurants and delivery drivers to deliver an error-free experience. Today, there are "contactless delivery" options, sophisticated tracking systems, and customer support systems that promise to help deliveries go from order to table as smoothly as possible.

6. Health Trends and Meal Choices

Health-conscious eating has not escaped the notice of food delivery services. Many applications now offer diets with dedicated listings for vegan, gluten-free, organic, and keto. Consumers can enter calorie counts, ingredients, and dietary markers to easily choose a dish on the fly that matches their health goals for the day. Meal prep services and healthy meal subscription groups have also popped up in the last few years without showing signs of fading. 

Meal prepping is still an excellent way to remain a balanced consumer by leveraging delivery, as these services provide convenience for maintaining healthy eating habits. Admittedly, while food delivery has often been marketed around the idea of impulse eating, the better aspects of food delivery can be conducive to a healthy lifestyle if consumers use them to help their healthy eating goals.

Conclusion

Food delivery apps are transforming people in such a way that just who we are as eaters, but also how we eat. Personalisation, convenience, sustainability, and flexibility have all become part of the experience of food. Looking ahead, it's clear that people who are able to adapt will be the successful eaters in a digital food space.