Fast-changing third-party food delivery from French fries and Poke to insulated food carriers
The not-too-distant future: a sports fan hosts an impromptu get-together in a suburban neighborhood. Short on snacks during the game, the host places an order on his smart phone: pizza, wings and breadsticks. Don’t forget extra ranch sauce.
He then tracks the food delivery in real time – from a fast-casual restaurant several miles away to a quiet cul-de-sac, avoiding waves of traffic by traveling above it all. Minutes later, he receives a text notification. The food delivery order is hovering at the front door, the designated drop-off location for this address. He pulls his order out of a food carrier and the delivery drone starts its next food delivery voyage.
Sooner or later, drones and self-driving cars will automate much of the food delivery industry, according to experts. To what degree, we don’t know. Before that can occur, new privacy laws, food safety laws and Federal Aviation Administration drone regulations will need to be established. For now, cars, scooters, bikes and pedestrian delivery are at the forefront of online food delivery in America, an industry estimated to grow to $76 billion by 2022.
How to transport third-party food delivery in cars?
This wouldn’t be possible without insulated food carriers – light (4-11 lbs.), ergonomic (built-in handles) and safe (safe holding for 5+ hours) that make moving hot and cold food simple for thousands of delivery drivers.
Check it out: Krista Haynes, Showroom Sales Lead, tells us all about the various food carriers at ACityDiscount. We offer a variety of insulated carriers to fit your delivery needs, watch the following video to learn more
The truth is…the future is already here
Uber is aiming for a drone food delivery in less than five years. Already, the company has tested drone food delivery in San Diego. Chipotle experimented with the new-age delivery concept near the University of Virginia. Overseas, Domino’s has tested drone delivery in New Zealand. Food Panda tested its system in Singapore and plans to roll it out in other Asian markets.
Why are Americans spending so much on third-party food delivery?
Convenience drives this old-but-new industry. Americans are spending less time in the kitchen and more time at work or socializing after work, leaving grandma’s recipes forgotten.
Pizza and Chinese cuisine get a lot of credit for placing food delivery in the minds of Americans. But the popularity of third-party food delivery has changed the way we order. The top reasons why people are ordering through third-party services include (but are not limited to): not wanting to cook/saving time on cleaning, needing to satisfy a craving, wanting to enjoy sports games in their homes and needing to bring the family together with quick, at-home dinners.
Most popular third-party food delivery dishes in 2018
Burgers, French fries, chicken wings and soft drinks/sodas are still some of the most popular food delivery items. Same for soft pretzels, lettuce chicken wraps and burritos. Alcohol is also gaining popularity. This isn’t your parent’s delivery (or is it?).
Based on GrubHub's 2018 "Year in Food" report, the top 10 foods ordered in 2018 are:
- bean burrito
- poke bowls
- chicken slider
- baby back pork rib
- chicken burrito
- chicken sandwich
- cauliflower rice bowl
- chicken and waffle slider
- parmesan chicken
- buffalo cauliflower
Surprisingly, cauliflower is becoming a more popular food item now that plant-based diets are on the rise, and, not surprisingly, chicken remains a crowd favorite. Top breakfast items include: peanut butter acai bowls, breakfast burritos, French toast and the classic bacon, egg and cheese; while top late-night items include: stuffed jalapenos, spicy miso ramen, sliders, French toast (again) and lamb shawarmas. The most popular dessert items – brownies, Oreo cookie cupcakes, baklava, salted caramel cookies and cobbler.
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