Food Delivery Industry Trends: Improve Your Sales in 2025

Let’s explore what’s cooking in the world of food delivery!

Food delivery has become an integral part of our daily lives. With just a few taps on our smartphones, we can enjoy a delicious meal from our favorite restaurant, all without stepping outside our home.

This convenience has not only transformed how we eat but has also prompted a huge shift in the restaurant industry. 

As we look ahead, according to Statista, the food delivery sector is set to explode, projected to reach US$1.40 trillion by 2025. 

This growth presents exciting opportunities for both entrepreneurs and established businesses.

The latest trends are reshaping how food is delivered, presented, and marketed. From innovative technology to changes in customer behavior, these trends are opening the way for a more profitable and efficient food delivery business.

In this blog, we’ll explore some of the latest trends in the food delivery industry that can help you use these changes and boost your business’s profitability. 

Whether you’re a seasoned restaurateur or a budding entrepreneur, understanding these trends is essential for staying ahead in this competitive market. 

Food Delivery Industry Trends Stats

• The online food delivery market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.78% from 2023 to 2027.
• In 2024, the most delivered foods in the US were burritos and burrito bowls, according to Grubhub and Uber Eats. They were followed by tacos, quesadillas, and French fries.
• By 2029, the online food delivery market is forecast to generate revenues reaching 1.85 trillion U.S. dollars.
• Boba tea, a popular drink from Taiwan, had almost a 1500% increase in orders from 2023 to 2024.

7 Major Food Delivery Trends for 2025

The global food delivery market is on the rise. To maintain a competitive edge, it’s essential to stay informed about the latest trends.

Here are ten key online food delivery trends expected to shape the industry in the coming years.

1. Drone Food Delivery 

Drone food delivery is one of the coolest US food delivery trends that have been tested by several companies worldwide. The global drone delivery market is growing fast, projected from 2022 to 2027. This innovation is here to stay. 

Since 2012, many companies have taken the initiative to deliver meals to their customers’ doorsteps through a drone. Companies and customers are embracing drone package delivery for its speed, convenience, and environmental benefits. 

Examples of Drone Food Delivery

Here are some notable examples of companies that have successfully implemented drone food delivery. 

Domino’s Pizza: In select locations, Domino’s has tested drone delivery to offer customers a faster way to receive their pizzas.

Uber Eats: Partnering with drone companies, Uber Eats has explored using drones for delivering meals in urban areas. 

Flytrex: This company operates drone delivery services in the U.S. They focus on delivering meals from local restaurants to customers in suburban areas.

Pros	Cons
Minimizing fuel expenses	Safety concerns
Faster and more efficient	Risk of package theft or damage
	Drones are prone to technical issues

2. Food Delivery from Cloud Kitchens 

Cloud kitchens are also known as virtual kitchens or ghost kitchens. It is one of the profitable trends in food delivery in 2025. With the growing demand for online ordering and convenience, these kitchens operate without a traditional storefront, focusing solely on preparing meals for delivery. 

Examples of Cloud Kitchens

Below are examples of cloud kitchens. 

Kitchen United: A platform that offers shared kitchen space and delivery services to various restaurant brands without the costs of a full restaurant.

CloudKitchens: Founded by former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick, this service provides kitchen space for food entrepreneurs, allowing them to launch and scale their delivery operations quickly.

Ghost Kitchen Brands: This company collaborates with popular restaurants to create delivery-only brands, expanding their reach without the need for additional physical locations.

Pros	Cons
Lower overhead cost	Difficulty in building brand recognition
Flexibility in menu offerings	Limited customer experience
	Dependence on technology

3. Contactless Delivery 

Contactless delivery has become a major trend in the food delivery industry, especially in the wake of the pandemic. In 2024, contactless payments and deliveries became very popular. About 60% of people said they used contactless methods at least once a month. 

This advanced approach prioritizes safety and convenience for both customers and delivery personnel, making it a preferred choice in 2025. 

Now, many companies are adopting this secure method of delivering meals. Some notable ones include:

• DoorDash: Offers contactless delivery options where drivers leave food at a designated spot.
• Uber Eats: Allows customers to choose contactless delivery during the checkout process.
• Grubhub: Provides an option for contactless delivery to minimize person-to-person contact.
• Pizza Hut: Offers contactless delivery services as part of their standard delivery.
• Chipotle: Provides contactless delivery through their app and via third-party services.

Examples of Contactless Delivery

Drop-Off Services: Orders are left at the customer’s doorstep, ensuring minimal interaction.

Pre-Arranged Pickups: Customers can schedule pickups at designated locations to avoid direct contact.

Secure Lockers: Some services use lockers where customers can retrieve their orders without any face-to-face interaction.

Pros	Cons
Increased safety	Potential for misdelivery
Reduced touchpoints	Clear communication is required
Simplified payment method

4. Crowdsourced Delivery 

Crowdsourced delivery is one of the efficient trends in food delivery services. Instead of relying on professional delivery drivers, this system uses local, non-professional couriers who deliver packages on routes they are already traveling. 

This approach not only speeds up delivery times but also uniquely connects communities, allowing anyone to participate in the delivery process. It’s a win-win situation for customers and couriers. 

Examples of Crowdsourced Delivery 

Here is a real-world example of crowdsourced delivery.

Uber Eats

• How it works: Anyone with a car, scooter, or even a bicycle can sign up to deliver food from restaurants to customers.
• Crowdsourced aspect: Delivery drivers are independent contractors who work on their schedule.

Pros	Cons
Low cost	Maintaining consistent service quality
Makes the delivery process more efficient	Sometimes drivers are not available

5. Meal Kit Delivery 

The meal kit delivery market is growing, with revenue expected to hit US$16.12 billion by 2025. This growth can be attributed to the convenience that meal kits provide for those who enjoy cooking at home but may not have the time to shop for ingredients or plan meals.

It’s a subscription-based plan where companies send you boxes filled with pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes. This means you can whip up delicious meals without the hassle of grocery shopping or meal planning. 

Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent, or someone looking to try new recipes, meal kits can make cooking fun and stress-free. Plus, they often introduce you to new flavors and cooking techniques. 

Examples of Meal Kit Delivery 

HelloFresh: Offers weekly meal plans with fresh ingredients and step-by-step recipes.

Blue Apron: Focuses on chef-designed meals and wine pairings.

Home Chef: Provides customizable meals and easy-prep options.

Sunbasket: Known for organic ingredients and dietary-specific meal plans.

Pros	Cons
Reduced food waste	More expensive than cooking from scratch
Time-saving	Subscription required
New menus each week

6. Self-Driving Delivery 

Self-driving delivery is an exciting trend in the food delivery industry, where autonomous vehicles bring meals straight to your doorstep. These vehicles use advanced technology to move in the streets and safely deliver your favorite dishes without the need for a human driver. 

Moreover, many of these options are electric, reducing carbon footprints compared to traditional delivery methods.

Self-Driving Examples

Look at the examples of this well-known food and beverage delivery trend.

Nuro: Companies like Nuro use small, self-driving cars equipped with compartments to hold your food. They drive on public roads, drop off your order, and then head back to the restaurant for the next delivery. 

Starship Technologies: On sidewalks, you might see cute little robots like those from Starship Technologies. They navigate around pedestrians and traffic, delivering groceries and meals right to your door.

Pros	Cons
Reduce delivery times	High initial cost
Reduce human error	Technological limitations
Increase safety

7. 3D Food Printers

3D food printing is an emerging trend in the food delivery industry. It is a process that uses 3D printing technology to create food products by depositing edible materials layer by layer, enabling customized shapes, textures, and flavors.

This technology is opening up exciting possibilities for restaurants, food startups, and even home chefs looking to deliver unique culinary experiences.

Examples of 3D Food Printers 

• Foodini: A popular 3D food printer that focuses on printing fresh, healthy meals.
• byFlow Focus: Known for its compact design and ability to print complex food shapes.
• Choc Creator: Specializes in creating beautiful chocolate designs.
• PancakeBot: A fun printer that creates pancakes in customized designs and shapes.

Pros	Cons
Easy customization	High cost
Reduced waste	Slower for complex meals
Speed up food preparation	Requires technical know-how

FAQs

1. Is food delivery a growing industry?

Yes, food delivery is a rapidly growing industry, due to the increased customer demand for convenience and the expansion of online platforms and services. 

2. Which is the fastest-growing food delivery company?

Companies like DoorDash and Uber Eats are some of the fastest-growing food delivery services, especially in North America.

3. Who is leading in the food delivery market?

DoorDash currently leads the food delivery market in the U.S., followed by Uber Eats and Grubhub. Their popularity is due to their user-friendly apps and a wide selection of restaurants.

4. Who is bigger, DoorDash or Uber Eats?

DoorDash is bigger than UberEats with a 67% market share in the US, while Uber Eats holds 23%. 

5. Which food delivery app is most profitable?

DoorDash and its subsidiary Caviar are the most profitable food delivery apps in terms of market share and revenue. They control approximately a 67% share of the U.S. food delivery market. 

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