News Tag: Data reports

Grubhub’s 2023 Delivered Trend Report Reveals Ordering Was All About ‘Doing it for the Vibes’ as Diners Found Joy in the Unconventional

From 10 million coffee beverages ordered after 5pm, to over 53 million items ordered with added spice, the year was marked by bold choices and breaking the norms

CHICAGO, DECEMBER 12, 2023 – Today, Grubhub launches its annual retrospective, the 2023 Delivered report, which analyzes millions of orders from diners across the U.S. to uncover the biggest food and beverage trends of the year. 

While last year’s biggest trend was diners seeking comfort wrapped in a warm burrito, in 2023 ‘doing it for the vibes’ was a way of life as diners found joy in stepping out of their comfort zones and breaking conventions, such as embracing pineapple on pizza and ordering salads with a side of fries.

Let’s Unwrap the Top Vibes that Brought Joy to Diners in 2023

IT’S GIVING FIRE: SCOVILLE SCALES WENT OFF THE CHARTS
In 2023, over 53 MILLION items were ordered with added spice. Classic favorites like Sriracha were added over 91,000 times, and buffalo chicken wings came in first as the most ordered wing flavor followed by lemon pepper, BBQ, Teriyaki and Garlic Parmesan. 

Top 5 Spicy Dishes Ordered in 2023

  • Spicy potato soft tacos 
  • Spicy chicken sandwich
  • Spicy tuna roll
  • Hot and sour soup
  • Drunken noodles

To celebrate buffalo chicken wings claiming the title as the most popular wing order of the year, Buffalo Wild Wings and Buffalo Wild Wings Go are offering 50% OFF one wing menu item, up to $10 off ($30 minimum order). This exclusive offer is valid for today only (12/12). No promo code is needed as the offer will automatically be applied at check-out on eligible Buffalo Wild Wings orders in the Grubhub app, one redemption per diner. Terms of use available here.

Fun chicken wing fact: Flats remain on top, being ordered 10 times more than drums.

IT’S GIVING FIZZ: WORK BREAKS HIT DIFFERENT WITH A DIET SODA
The #dietcokebreak trended with over 43 million views on TikTok, and people rushed to Grubhub to get their fix with in-office orders of Diet Coke increasing by 17% in 2023.

Top 5 Sodas Ordered in 2023:

  • Diet Coke
  • Coke
  • Sprite
  • Dr. Pepper
  • Ginger Ale

IT’S GIVING MIDNIGHT OIL: CAFFEINE CRAVINGS WENT AFTER HOURS
People were winding up, not winding down this year with over 10 MILLION coffee beverages ordered after 5 p.m. 

Top 5 Coffee Beverages Ordered in 2023:

  • Iced Coffee
  • Caramel Frappe
  • Mocha Frappe
  • Cappuccino
  • Hot Coffee

IT’S GIVING MOO: REAL MILK CAME BACK WITH REAL DRIP
This year, cows had a comeback as dairy in coffee beverages had a 20% increase and whole milk took the lead among the top 3 dairy orders followed by 2% milk, and chocolate milk.

IT’S GIVING CARBS: FRENCH FRIES BROUGHT BALANCE TO SALADS
Over 600,000 customers ordered their salad paired with french fries in 2023. While prior years were all about wellness, in 2023 we didn’t just settle for salads alone, but embraced our favorite part of the meal: the french fry – making it the top ordered side dish of 2023. 

Top 5 French Fry Styles Ordered in 2023: 

  • Classic cut
  • Waffle fries 
  • Cheese fries
  • Sweet potato fries
  • Curly fries

IT’S GIVING ALOHA: PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA GOES MAINSTREAM
In the spirit of ‘doing it for the vibes’, people didn’t hold back especially when it came to their pizza. In 2023, Hawaiian Pizza lovers ordered pineapple with pride. This topping on pizza rose 33% since last year – yum?

Top 5 Pizza Orders in 2023:

  • Cheese Pizza
  • Margherita Pizza
  • Pepperoni Pizza
  • Buffalo Chicken Pizza
  • Hawaiian Pizza

IT’S GIVING TANGY: FROM FOOD TO FASHION, PICKLES WERE ON EVERYTHING
Pickles had the largest increase since last year with an 89% increase, totaling over 6.9 MILLION pickles ordered in 2023. People embraced their love of pickles – from food to fashion (if you own the viral pickle sweatshirt, we see you) – and put the salty, briny indulgences on everything.

Ready to get some joy delivered?
Amazon Prime members can get a year of Grubhub+ for free (valued at $120/year). Enjoy unlimited $0 delivery fees on eligible orders and access to other exclusive offers year-round. Use code DECEMBER30 for 30% off three Grubhub delivery orders of $15+ (up to $15 off) now through 12/23 when you sign up for Grubhub+ through Amazon Prime. It’s the gift that keeps giving! Learn more, here.

Curious about your own 2023 Delivered report? Today, Grubhub is also sending diners their customized recap report that unwraps their individual ordering journey throughout the year.

Follow @Grubhub on X, Instagram, and TikTok. 

For more information on Grubhub, visit https://about.grubhub.com/. 

About Grubhub
Grubhub is part of Just Eat Takeaway.com (LSE: JET, AMS: TKWY), and is a leading U.S. food ordering and delivery marketplace. Dedicated to connecting diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub elevates food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms, and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub features more than 365,000 restaurant partners in over 4,000 U.S. cities. 

‘Tis the Season for Holiday Parties, but Corporate Clients are Concerned About Participation

It’s that time of the year when companies start planning their holiday celebrations. While festivities took a hiatus during COVID, we’ve seen things return to normal over the last two years, specifically when it comes to the annual holiday party (they’re back!). To get a sense of how companies plan to celebrate this year, we surveyed our corporate clients to learn what’s top of mind for them when it comes to planning a celebration, and to our surprise, it wasn’t the location, theme or entertainment that topped the chart; it’s whether employees will join in the celebrations. As companies continue to identify avenues to foster collaboration and a fun culture, it looks like engagement is an area that will continue to be a priority.

Nearly 40% of clients have expressed concern about employees’ lack of enthusiasm and participation. The fact that almost 70% of clients have returned to the office, whether through a hybrid model or full-time, prompts the question of whether this signals employee burnout and a declining interest in company events during their free time. And according to research, there’s been a decline in employee engagement over the years, with just 32% of U.S. employees reporting they are engaged with their organization, and 18% reporting that they are actively disengaged.  With 50% of employees feeling neither actively engaged or disengaged, companies have a massive opportunity to positively influence and improve how those individuals engage with the company instead of leaving them at risk of slipping to disengaged or remaining neutral. 

As companies continue to identify avenues to foster collaboration and culture, finding ways to build more engagement is no doubt a clear priority. For a deeper look at how companies are approaching celebrations this year, including where they plan to celebrate, how they are budgeting, and more, check out the blog from Jeff Mirmelstein, vice president and general manager of Grubhub Corporate Accounts. 

*Data points are based on an internal survey of Grubhub Corporate clients (2023)

Order Frequency Insights Added to Grubhub for Restaurants Portal

Back in May, we introduced three updates within the Grubhub for Restaurants (GFR) portal to drive more value to our restaurant partners that help them grow their business: Customer Insights, Self-Serve Refund Requests and Self-Serve Photoshoot access. Building on the Customer Insights tool where restaurants can filter their sales and order metrics by new or returning diners and Grubhub+ or non-Grubhub+ customers, we’ve added Order Frequency Insights within GFR. With these ordering insights, restaurant owners now have visibility into how often their customers are ordering from them. 

To get started, users select the “Insights” tab in GFR and can then view customer order frequency history from the last 90 days within the Customer Insights page. They can segment customers out by new or returning diners and Grubhub+ or non-Grubhub+ customers. Further highlighting the value of their Grubhub+ customers, restaurant owners can view their average number of orders per Grubhub+ customer and their most loyal customers, defined as those who rank in the top 10% of their order volume. And to drive action, users can click the links at the bottom of the page to view more details on how to run promotions and loyalty programs.

“Our restaurant partners leverage Grubhub as an acquisition tool to attract new customers, build relationships with these customers, and drive retention. They’ve been asking for more tools that help them do all three,” said Liz Bosone, vice president of restaurant success at Grubhub. “With our latest addition of Order Frequency insights within the Grubhub for Restaurants portal, we’re providing our partners with tools and data that will empower them to not only understand who their most loyal customers are, but how to best engage with them to drive more frequent ordering.”

To stay up to date on the latest updates in GFR, visit here.

Grubhub Releases Annual Year in Food Report Detailing the Top Trends of 2021

See what Grubhub trends reveal about our eating habits, the restaurants that served us, and the positive impact the Grubhub community has made this year
CHICAGO, Dec. 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The end of the year is near, but before we say goodbye to 2021, we’re rewinding to see how we ate and drank our way through another year of change. Grubhub, a leading online and mobile food-ordering and delivery marketplace, today released findings from its annual “Year in Food” report. Grubhub analyzed orders from over 32 million diners to see what rose in popularity throughout the year while highlighting Grubhub diners’ generosity and how they gave back to communities and restaurants in need. In addition, diners will receive their personalized “Taste of 2021” recap to get a glimpse of their favorite cuisines, menu items, and order habits throughout the year. Grubhub diners can also visit the Taste of 2021 website to browse trends and win an exclusive deal for their next order.

The Impossible cheeseburger is this year’s top food of the year!

TOP ORDERS OF THE YEAR

2020 was the year of comfort foods, and 2019 was full of vegetarian-friendly orders, and 2021 gave us a mix of both! The Impossible cheeseburger rose to prominence, increasing 442% in popularity, providing diners with a healthier version of an iconic food staple.

  1. Impossible cheeseburger (+442%)
  2. Shredded pork taco (+310%)
  3. Apple pecan chicken salad (+287%)
  4. Detroit-style pizza (+263%)
  5. Margarita (+240%)
  6. Pub mac and cheese (+174%)
  7. Pork dumplings (+173%)
  8. Chicken burrito (+166%)
  9. Poke nacho (+158%)
  10. Lettuce wrap (+155%)

Side Dishes: chips and your favorite dip were the perfect complements to a good meal.

  1. Chips and pico de gallo (+205%)
  2. Stuffed garlic knot (+174%)
  3. Mac and cheese (+173%)
  4. Cornbread (+171%)
  5. Chips and queso (+155%)

Dessert: a blend of delectable classics and delivery staples proved to be the most popular.

  1. Strawberry shortcake sundae: (+378%)
  2. Cookie dough cheesecake (+315%)
  3. Chocolate chip pizza (+287%)
  4. Cookie dough burrito (+255%)
  5. Flan (+244%)

Fun Fact: A diner purchased 200 bacon cheeseburgers in one order! Why?! That’s for you to guess.

TOP ORDERS BY MEALTIME

Breakfast: early birds ordered traditional favorites to start the day.

  1. Sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich
  2. Long john donut
  3. Chorizo breakfast burrito

Lunch: a mixed bag of trendy foods and a seasonal favorite.

  1. Birria taco
  2. Clam chowder
  3. Impossible burger

Dinner: familiar foods were ordered after a long day.

  1. Burrito bowl
  2. Cheese pizza
  3. Beef sliders

Late night: night owls flocked to Hispanic foods to end their nights… or early mornings.

  1. Al pastor taco
  2. Chicken tenders
  3. Chimichanga

TOP FOODS BY CITY

New York City

  1. Pork and crab soup dumpling: (+397%)
  2. Aloo gobi matar (+394%)
  3. Pasta bolognese (+394%)
  4. Olive oil cake (+393%)
  5. Broccoli pizza (+386%)

Los Angeles

  1. Lobster taco: (+399%)
  2. Adobada taco (+359%)
  3. Spaghetti bolognese (+355%)
  4. Korean fried chicken (+345%)
  5. Lamb samosa (+336%)

Chicago

  1. Shrimp poboy (+399%)
  2. Chili dog (+391%)
  3. Fajita de pollo (+378%)
  4. Spaghetti al pomodoro (+350%)
  5. Flourless chocolate cake (+317%)

San Francisco

  1. Mango habanero wing (+393%)
  2. Snickerdoodle cookie (+391%)
  3. Strawberry green tea (+384%)
  4. Shrimp dumpling (+379%)
  5. Iced Vietnamese coffee (+379%)

Philadelphia

  1. Cheesesteak sandwich (+397%)
  2. Cookie and cream milkshake (+396%)
  3. Lump crab cake sandwich (+392%)
  4. Cheesesteak pizza (+383%)
  5. Turkey avocado wrap (+382%)

Dallas

  1. Pork chop (+400%)
  2. Torta cubana (+398%)
  3. Chicken and waffle (+386%)
  4. New York strip steak (+376%)
  5. Red velvet cupcake (+363%)

Houston

  1. Cheese enchilada (+395%)
  2. Vermicelli bowl (+393%)
  3. Brisket taco (+386%)
  4. Italian cannoli (+374%)
  5. Smoked mac and cheese (+373%)

Boston

  1. Tuna tartare (+392%)
  2. Veggie pizza (+389%)
  3. Mushroom barley soup (+379%)
  4. Chicken cacciatore (+372%)
  5. Chicken ranch pizza (+345%)

Atlanta

  1. Rib tips (+391%)
  2. Caramel fudge cheesecake (+385%)
  3. King crab roll (+380%)
  4. Tikka masala (+380%)
  5. Grilled steak sandwich (+340%)

Washington D.C.

  1. Chicken nuggets (+375%)
  2. Steak burrito (+373%)
  3. Butter chicken (+347%)
  4. Chicken tikka masala (+345%)
  5. Pad thai (+324%)

2022 FORECAST

While it’s hard to predict the future of food, we’ve given it our best shot by analyzing hundreds of millions of orders over the past three years to provide you with our prediction on the top foods of 2022. In no particular ranking, here are the orders that are bound to rise in popularity next year.

  • Margherita flatbread pizza
  • Buffalo chicken tots
  • Peanut butter protein smoothie
  • Cajun steakburger
  • Apple cobbler

BEVERAGES

This year, diners settled into their new morning routines, which saw coffee orders rise 100% in popularity. Alcohol orders increased by 11% and the margarita was the first alcohol order to crack the top orders of the year.

Coffee

  1. Pumpkin spice latte (+363%)
  2. Vanilla latte (+256%)
  3. Cold brew (+116%)
  4. Flat white (+110%)
  5. Nitro coffee (+68%)

Alcohol

  1. Margarita (+240%)
  2. Mexican beer (+174%)
  3. Mango mojito (+110%)
  4. Cabernet Sauvignon (+106%)
  5. Prosecco (+102%)

VEGAN & VEGETARIAN

Similar to 2020, vegan and vegetarian-friendly orders continued to steadily improve. In 2021, vegan and vegetarian-friendly orders grew by 16% and 13%, in comparison to 2020.

Vegan

  1. Vegan hot cocoa (+320%)
  2. Vegan passion fruit mochi (+236%)
  3. Vegan mint chocolate chip cookie (+236%)
  4. Handmade vegan chorizo taco (+236%)
  5. Black bean arepa (+152%)

Vegetarian

  1. Cheddar scallion biscuits (+362%)
  2. Plum tomato broccoli parmesan risotto (+320%)
  3. Flaxseed and date specialty smoothie (+320%)
  4. Vodka margarita pizza (+236%)
  5. Butternut squash parsnip soup (+236%)

Most Vegan-Friendly States

  1. California
  2. New York
  3. Florida
  4. Texas
  5. Georgia

CONVENIENCE

With more time spent at home these days, it’s important to have all of your convenience and grocery essentials whenever you need them.

Top Convenience Orders

  1. 2% milk (+190%)
  2. Toilet paper (+190%)
  3. Instant ramen (+143%)
  4. Paper towels (+130%)
  5. Pepperoni pizza rolls (+103%)

Candies

  1. Gummy bears (+98%)
  2. Peanut butter cups (+92%)
  3. Caramel shortbread chocolate bar (+82%)
  4. Cookies and cream chocolate bar (+73%)
  5. Sour candy (+71%)

We’re making it even easier for diners to grab all of their convenience and grocery essentials. We’ve partnered with Instacart for a limited time to offer existing Grubhub diners two months of Instacart Express for free and $10 off of their first Instacart order over $35. Annual Instacart Express members can also receive 12 months of Grubhub+ for free, including unlimited free delivery on Grubhub orders over $12 from more than 300,000 restaurants nationwide, exclusive perks and members-only deals, and donation matching when members donate their change to a charity at checkout.

FOODIE HONORS

Not every state eats equally, so a few states received high honors due to their specific ordering habits throughout the year.

  • Most generous state: New Mexico has the highest average tip percentage.
  • Most outdoorsy state: California has the highest percentage of pickup orders.
  • Most chill state: Hawaii has the highest percentage of weekend orders.
  • Wildest state: Rhode Island has the highest percentage of late-night orders.
  • Most high-rollin’ state: Alaska has the highest average spend per order.
  • Most romantic state: North Dakota has the highest percentage of two-dish orders.
  • Most celebratory state: Washington, D.C. has the highest percentage of alcohol orders.
  • Hungriest state: New York has the highest number of orders

BEST OF GRUBHUB

We took a look at some delivery staples and the restaurants across the country that took home the title – “Best of Grubhub” – for each dish.

  • Burgers: Mel’s Burger Bar – a casual bar and burger joint in Manhattan, NY that serves up a variety of delicious bar fare like the spicy Hot Mess Burger.
  • Pizza: Joe’s Pizza – the iconic pizza shop has been serving some of the best pizza around in Brooklyn, NY for over 37 years.
  • Tacos: Baja Valley Fish & Tacos – a casual restaurant, known for its signature Baja Cali style fish tacos & delicious aguas frescas in suburban Los Angeles.
  • Dumplings: Su Xing House – offers authentic Chinese vegetarian cuisine in Philadelphia, PA.
  • Chicken wings: Hartbreakers – A fast-casual, 70’s inspired all vegan restaurant in Brooklyn, NY.

SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES

As the world continues to recover from the pandemic, we haven’t slowed our support for restaurants and local and national charitable organizations. Through the Restaurant Strong Fund, Donate the Change and Grubhub Community Relief Fund we’ve raised over $30 million in 2021.

Restaurant Strong Fund: Grubhub and The Greg Hill Foundation’s Restaurant Strong Fund have supported restaurants across the country to help them survive the pandemic and beyond. In 2021 alone, Grubhub and the Restaurant Strong Fund have given $6 million in grants to restaurants.

Donate the Change: For diners that opt-in to Donate the Change, Grubhub will round up their order total to the nearest dollar and donate the change to a charitable organization. Grubhub also matches all donations on Grubhub+ orders. In 2021, the Grubhub community raised over $24 million through our Donate the Change feature.

Grubhub Community Relief Fund:  We also created the Grubhub Community Relief Fund to give proceeds to organizations that provide relief for our restaurants and drivers. To date, the Grubhub community has raised $18 million to help support charitable organizations that support restaurants and drivers.

Methodology: Grubhub’s “Year in Food” report is based on trends gathered from tens of millions of orders on the Grubhub platform. Order trends detail the rise in popularity of food items placed by Grubhub diners from January-November 2021, as compared to the same timeframe in 2020.

About Grubhub
Grubhub is part of Just Eat Takeaway.com (LSE: JET, AMS: TKWY, NASDAQ: GRUB), a leading global online food delivery marketplace. Dedicated to connecting more than 32 million diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub elevates food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub features more than 300,000 restaurant partners in over 4,000 U.S. cities.

Grubhub Releases Third Annual “State of the Plate” Report

Mid-Year Report Looks at Top Food Trends to Date, Popular Restaurants, Forecasts Ahead, and More

CHICAGO, June 30, 2021  /PRNewswire/ — As we approach a new normal and restaurants reopen, there’s a lot to look forward to for the rest of the year. Before looking ahead, let’s rewind to see how diners ate their way through the last six months. Grubhub, part of leading global online food delivery marketplace Just Eat Takeaway.com, today launched the third annual “State of the Plate” report. Looking at trends from hundreds of thousands average daily orders, Grubhub’s mid-year report checks in on what has shaped 2021 thus far, including the top trending foods, popular restaurants across the country, and what we can expect to see more of in the second half of the year.

Grubhub’s “State of the Plate” report looks at top trending foods, popular restaurants, what’s to come in 2021 & more.

 

TOP FOODS OF 2021 TO DATE

Unlike 2020, diners opted for the plant-based versions of delivery classics so far in 2021. And while last year’s top food, the wildly popular spicy chicken sandwich, didn’t make the list, the Nashville hot chicken sandwich still made the top 10.

  1. Plant-based sausage wrap: (+549%)
  2. Bubble milk tea: (+505%)
  3. Birria taco: (+500%)
  4. Everything omelet: (+454%)
  5. Strawberry banana cream smoothie (+430%)
  6. Spicy miso tonkotsu ramen: (354%)
  7. Churro waffle: (+339%)
  8. Beef empanada: (+333%)
  9. Nashville hot chicken sandwich: (+327%)
  10. Korean barbecue cauliflower wing: (+302%)

Disclaimer: The top foods below have seen the fastest growth on the Grubhub platform during the first half of 2021.

Top Side Dishes: Southern-inspired side dishes reign supreme in 2021.

  1. Cajun fries: (+630%)
  2. Red beans and rice: (+612%)
  3. Corn chowder: (+603%)
  4. Jalapeno bites: (+465%)
  5. Biscuits and gravy: (+368%)

Top Desserts: Pies and chocolate are a recurring theme in the dessert category.

  1. Chocolate french silk pie: (+698%)
  2. Cinnamon apple pie: (+584%)
  3. Frozen custard: (+486%)
  4. Cookies & cream milkshake: (+458%)
  5. Peanut butter & hot fudge sundae: (+423%)

TOP FOODS ACROSS MAJOR MARKETS

Look close enough and it’s clear that 2021 brought some twists on local favorites (we’re looking at you, Chicago and Philadelphia).

New York City: Toasted Monte Cristo panini (+691%)
Los Angeles: Beef barbacoa taco (+686%)
Chicago: Thin crust pepperoni pizza (+694%)
Philadelphia: Cheesesteak wrap (+694%)
Dallas-Fort Worth: Chicharron taco (+690%)
Houston: Smoked mac and cheese (+592%)
Boston: Meatball and tomato ragu (+689%)
Atlanta: Chicken & waffles (+532%)
Bay Area (SF, San Jose, Oakland): Brisket pho (+697%)
Washington D.C.: Jumbo lump crab cake (+562%)

RESTAURANTS RISING IN POPULARITY

From bagels to pizza and everything in between, Grubhub looked at various factors, including overall orders, reorder rates, and ratings, to find some of the most popular restaurants across the country.

VEGAN & PLANT-BASED TRENDS CONTINUE TO GROW

Like we saw in Grubhub’s 2020 Year in Food Report, diners continue to eat plant-based, but the pace has slowed down a bit compared to previous years. So far this year, vegan orders have risen by 17%, plant-based burgers specifically increasing by 28%, and general vegetarian orders by a whopping 55%!

Top Vegan Orders

  1. Plant-based sausage wrap: (+549%)
  2. Barbecue cauliflower wing: (+302%)
  3. Mushroom & tofu broth ramen: (+299%)
  4. Sauteed string bean + garlic: (+264%)
  5. Grilled vegetable hummus bowl: (+242%)

Top Cities for Vegans

  1. Los Angeles, CA
  2. New York City, NY
  3. Portland, OR
  4. Miami, FL
  5. Philadelphia, PA

TOP ALCOHOL ORDERS

The pandemic allowed more restaurants across the country to deliver alcoholic beverages, and that trend continued into 2021. Diners jumped on board with the top orders ranging from light beer, tropical cocktails, and a brunch favorite.

  1. Dutch lager
  2. Hot sake
  3. Japanese beer
  4. Hibiscus margarita
  5. Blood orange margarita
  6. Aperol spritz
  7. Hard seltzer
  8. Peach Paloma
  9. Pina colada
  10. Mimosa

SEASONAL FAVORITES & FORECASTS

The weather tends to affect our eating habits, so we looked at which orders rose the most this past winter and spring. We expect a mix of hot and cold food orders to trend during the summer months and desserts during the fall months with one obvious go-to flavor.

Top Trends: Winter

  1. Short rib rigatoni: (+270%)
  2. corned beef and cabbage: (+219%)
  3. Butternut squash soup: (+154%)
  4. Grilled chicken avocado sandwich: (+131%)
  5. Chicken dum biryani: (+124%)

Top Trends: Spring

  1. Margherita pizza: (+283%)
  2. Strawberry lemonade freeze: (+210%)
  3. Peanut butter sundae: (+194%)
  4. Spicy chicken sandwich: (+165%)
  5. Chicken bacon ranch melt” (+154%)

Forecasts: Summer (in ranking order)

  1. Loaded chicken nachos
  2. Barbecue pork quesadilla
  3. Watermelon slushy
  4. Strawberry shortcake sundae
  5. Heirloom tomato salad

Forecasts: Fall (in ranking order)

  1. Vegan mapo tofu
  2. Truffle mushroom swiss burger
  3. Raspberry cheesecake
  4. Cookie & cream milkshake
  5. Pumpkin cupcake

TOP TRENDS ACROSS MEAL TIMES

Breakfast: Acai bowls dropped from #1 to #3, while morning drinks made the list this year.

  1. Mocha iced coffee: (+351%)
  2. Chorizo breakfast burrito: (+318%)
  3. Acai bowl: (+297%)
  4. Mango pineapple smoothie: (+207%)
  5. Shrimp & grits: (+178%)

Lunch: Thai chicken salads take the #1 spot for the second consecutive year.

  1. Thai chicken salad: (+324%)
  2. Chicken pot pie soup: (+278%)
  3. Chicken pesto sandwich: (+261%)
  4. Strawberry poppyseed salad and chicken: (+202%)
  5. Caribbean jerk chicken wrap: (+198%)

Dinner: Indian-inspired foods continue to be a favorite for dinner.

  1. Vegetable samosa: (+260%)
  2. Hawaiian teriyaki chicken skewers: (+247%)
  3. Eel avocado roll: (+244%)
  4. Tandoori chicken: (+220%)
  5. Seaweed salad: (+215%)

Late-night: Comfort foods and sweet desserts dominate late-night food orders.

  1. Pizza puff: (+294%)
  2. Strawberry cheesecake: (+269%)
  3. Buffalo chicken pizza: (+244%)
  4. Buffalo wings: (+234%)
  5. Hot fudge sundae: (+209%)

GIVING BACK IN 2021

Grubhub’s Donate the Change has raised tens of millions of dollars to support organizations in need. Throughout 2021, so far Grubhub diners have generously donated more than $13 million (including Grubhub’s match of eligible donations), supporting organizations including National ACE and most recently, the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, in addition to the Grubhub Community Relief Fund to help those impacted by COVID-19.

Methodology : Grubhub’s “State of the Plate” report is based on trends gathered from tens of millions of orders on the Grubhub platform. Order trends detail the rise in popularity of food items placed by Grubhub diners from January-June 2021, as compared to the same timeframe in 2020.

About Grubhub
Grubhub is part of Just Eat Takeaway.com, a leading global online food delivery marketplace. Dedicated to connecting more than 33 million diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub elevates food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub features over 300,000 restaurants and is proud to partner with over 280,000 of these restaurants in over 4,000 U.S. cities.

Grubhub Releases Annual “Year in Food” Report Detailing the Top Trends of 2020

During a year of change, diners turn to comfort foods, caffeine, and an array of other beverages while staying in

As the nation looks forward to 2021, Grubhub is taking time to look back at how Americans ate their way through a turbulent year. Grubhub, a leading online and mobile food-ordering and delivery marketplace, today released findings from its annual “Year in Food” report, analyzing orders from over 30 million diners to see what rose in popularity throughout an unpredictable year, while also highlighting the generosity of Grubhub diners and how they gave back to communities and restaurants in need. In addition, diners will receive their personalized “Taste of 2020” recap to get a glimpse of their favorite cuisines, menu items, and order habits throughout the year.

TOP ORDERS OF 2020

While past years have seen a growth in vegan and vegetarian options, 2020 was a year where comfort foods and caffeine took a majority of the top spots. The famous spicy chicken sandwich trend continued throughout the year with a more than 300% increase in popularity!

  1. Spicy chicken sandwich: 318% more popular
  2. Chicken burrito bowl: 299% more popular
  3. Chicken wings: 287% more popular
  4. Waffle fries: 221% more popular
  5. Cold brew coffee: 206% more popular
  6. Steak quesadilla: 164% more popular
  7. Iced latte: 157% more popular
  8. Fish and chips: 146% more popular
  9. Strawberry shake: 131% more popular
  10. Roast beef sandwich: 126% more popular

Fun fact: Someone in 2020 really dove in head first with the chicken sandwich trend with a single order of 135 chicken sandwiches!

Breakfast: A healthy start to the day, acai bowls continued to rise in popularity (the peanut butter version made its claim to fame in 2018).

  1. Acai bowl: 353% more popular
  2. Frozen mocha: 336% more popular
  3. Chorizo burrito: 304% more popular
  4. Potato pancake: 264% more popular
  5. Strawberry banana smoothie: 216% more popular

Late Night: While more of our comfort favorites made the list, there was a nice showing from some sugary classics.

  1. Strawberry cheesecake: 303% more popular
  2. Jalapeno popper: 277% more popular
  3. Pizza puff: 232% more popular
  4. Buffalo chicken pizza: 226% more popular
  5. Cinnamon rolls: 210% more popular

Side Dishes: A mix of go-to options and a twist on some “trendier” dishes.

  1. French fries: 629% more popular
  2. Onion rings: 566% more popular
  3. Gluten-free tater tots: 544% more popular
  4. Thai chili brussel sprouts: 389% more popular
  5. Elote: 375% more popular

Dessert: A true variety of comfort, nostalgia, and some regional classics.

  1. Apple pie: 330% more popular
  2. Hot fudge sundae: 273% more popular
  3. Caramel creme brulee : 137% more popular
  4. Italian ice: 129% more popular
  5. Chocolate chip cannoli: 109% more popular

BEVERAGES ON THE RISE

There’s no doubt our daily routines were thrown for a loop, which led the country to order in more than usual. And this wasn’t just food–coffee orders and alcoholic beverages made a mark in the trends we saw throughout the year.

Caffeine Buzz: Morning regimens changed for plenty of Americans in 2020 and the popularity of ready-to-drink coffee orders rose by 30%.

  1. Pumpkin spiced latte: 487%
  2. Vanilla latte: 249%
  3. Flat white: 131%
  4. Cold brew: 123%
  5. Nitro coffee: 32%

Happy Hour @ Home: With a lift on restrictions in various cities across the country, diners in more places were able to complete their meals with a range of alcoholic beverages available for delivery. And boy did they–cocktails, beer and wine rose nearly 300%.

  1. Mangonada: 278% more popular
  2. Pina colada: 223% more popular
  3. Hard seltzer: 196% more popular
  4. Mexican beer: 161% more popular
  5. Rosé: 150% more popular

A LOOK AT 2020 OVER TIME

Sourdough starters. Whipped coffee. Pancake cereal. While at home, many took to their own devices to try some of the year’s food trends–whether they succeeded or not. But for those who left it up to the restaurants, Grubhub took a look at the top trends month-by-month to see how America shifted as the months progressed.

  • MARCH: As stay-at-home orders took place across the country, Americans started out on a healthier foot when kick-starting their day as yogurt parfait rose 356% in popularity.
  • APRIL: Keeping up the daily routine, diners leaned on catching a caffeine buzz with vanilla chai tea lattes increasing 212% in popularity.
  • MAY: Most jumped on the bread baking trend, sharing their proud moments far and wide. However, it’s clear some may have taken the “fake it ’till you make it” route as Grubhub saw orders of sourdough bread loaves increase 192% in popularity.
  • JUNE: Blueberries are in season, so why not put them to work. June saw blueberry cream cheese pizza rise 290% in popularity.
  • JULY: As summer brought outdoor activities, Americans turned to watermelon mojitos to quench their thirst, rising 382% in popularity.
  • AUGUST: It seems everyone was craving a little festivity a bit early in 2020, as August saw a 265% increase in popularity of pumpkin iced coffee.
  • SEPTEMBER: Soup season came in full force as the weather started to cool, with veggie squash soup rising 168% in popularity.
  • OCTOBER: Football season and Halloween gave folks opportunities to celebrate with American-style pale lagers rising 362% in popularity.
  • NOVEMBER: Americans substituted meat with plant-based ingredients to enjoy their hearty meals as Impossible cheeseburgers increased by 222%.

“BEST OF GRUBHUB”

While 2020 was a year for the books, Grubhub took a look at some delivery staples and the restaurants across the country that took home the title – “Best of Grubhub” – for each dish.

  • Pizza: Da Nonna Rosa: a New York City staple known for traditional and authentic Italian cuisine using the finest ingredients. Don’t miss out on one of their most popular items: the Nonna Traditional NY style pizza.
  • Bagels: Utopia Bagels is known for its hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagels, which has made this local eatery a name for itself in Queens, New York.
  • Wings: DCity Smokehouse in Washington D.C. is a black-owned business offering wonderful pit smoked wings and other smoked meat classics. And don’t miss out on the sides as the fried brussel sprouts and spiced fries are a couple delivery favorites.
  • Tacos: Benny’s Tacos and Rotisserie Chicken has been serving Los Angeles with the best tacos the city has to offer (and we know their fish tacos are quite a hit!)..
  • Burgers: The Burger Joint is a favorite in Houston for their iconic thick, plump burgers bursting out of a toasted bun. Add on one of their famous shakes or a side of queso fries and you have a meal for the books.
  • Dumplings: Dim Sum House in Philadelphia brings flavors from the Jiang Nan region of China for locals to enjoy.

2020 SUPERLATIVES

Largest Order: 300 bean burritos (someone missed the memo that bean burritos were so 2018)
Top Pizza: Hawaiian pizza, which rose 689% in popularity
Most Popular Burger: Garlic mushroom burger rose 637% in popularity
Favorite French Fry: Loaded curly fries, which rose 315% more popular
Most Popular Plant-Based Meats: Eggplant burger
Most popular holiday for delivery: Halloween
The Health Nut: New York (most healthy orders)
The Night Owl: Rhode Island (most late-night orders)
Most Energized: New York (most caffeinated beverage orders)
Sweetest State: New Hampshire (most dessert orders)

PLANT-BASED OPTIONS STALL

Vegan and vegetarian trends slowed down in 2020 as popularity for vegan-friendly products only grew by 13% (compared to 27% in 2019). And while Americans turned to comfort foods, they weren’t all traditional options as the popularity of meat alternatives soared by 463% in 2020.

Most Vegan-Friendly States (in ranking order):

  • New York
  • California
  • Oregon
  • Massachusetts
  • Illinois

Most Popular Vegan Orders

  1. Tofu spring rolls: 263% more popular this year than last
  2. Plant based burger: 251% more popular
  3. Black bean taco: 242% more popular
  4. Vegan chocolate cake: 211% more popular
  5. Vegan ramen: 183% more popular

Most Popular Vegetarian Orders

  1. Apple pancakes: 297% more popular this year than last
  2. Acai smoothie: 288% more popular this year than last
  3. Arugula and parmesan salad: 270% more popular this year than last
  4. Grilled artichoke: 252% more popular this year than last
  5. Macaroni and cheese: 222% more popular this year than last

MAKING CHANGE IN 2020

When COVID-19 started to impact people across the country earlier in the year, we knew we had to act. That’s why we established the Grubhub Community Relief Fund, a donor-advised fund, to support local and national charitable organizations that provide relief for those who have been impacted by the pandemic.

Since March, Grubhub and its diners have donated more than $15 million dollars to support the Grubhub Community Relief Fund, having directly impacted a range of organizations. A few highlights throughout the year include:

  • Helped the Boys & Girls Clubs of America open 45 Clubs across the country, providing a safe environment for parents to bring their children to while they are working on the frontlines.
  • Provided nearly 1 million meals (and counting!) to organizations dedicated to feeding those in need, such as NYC Food Bank, Rescuing Leftover Cuisine, and MEANS.
  • Supported the Restaurant Strong Fund with a $2 Million grant to help restaurants through the Restaurant Winterization Grant program, providing selected restaurants with $10,000 grants to help them get through the winter.

For more on the 2020 Year in Food report, go to https://blog.grubhub.com/taste-of.

Grubhub’s “Year in Food” report is based on trends gathered from tens of millions of orders on the Grubhub platform. Order trends detail the rise in popularity of food items placed by Grubhub diners from January-November 2020, as compared to the same timeframe in 2019.

About Grubhub
Grubhub is a leading online and mobile food-ordering and delivery marketplace with the largest and most comprehensive network of restaurant partners, as well as nearly 30 million active diners. Dedicated to connecting diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub elevates food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub features over 300,000 restaurants and is proud to partner with approximately 245,000 of these restaurants in over 4,000 U.S. cities. The Grubhub portfolio of brands includes Grubhub, Seamless, LevelUp, AllMenus and MenuPages.

Grubhub Releases Second Annual “State of the Plate” Report

Mid-Year Report Looks at Top Food Trends to Date, Forecasts Ahead, How Quarantine has Impacted America’s Dining Habits, and More

CHICAGO, July 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — We’re officially in the second half of 2020, and it’s time to turn the dial back to take a look at how we ate our way through the beginning of a year unlike any other we’ve seen before. Grubhub, a leading online and mobile food-ordering and delivery marketplace, today launched its latest report, “State of the Plate”, looking at trends across the more than half a million orders placed a day. Grubhub’s mid-year report checks in on the popular food trends to date and what quarantined Americans ordered through contact-free delivery, and predicts what we can expect to see more of in the second half of the year.

From grabbing a chorizo burrito (270% more popular) for breakfast, a cheesy breadstick snack (412% more popular), a plant-based burger (291% more popular), or a fit-for-quarantine meal kit (orders of meal kits rose 55%), below are the trends we’ve loved so far this year.

Disclaimer: The top foods below have seen the fastest growth on the Grubhub platform during the first half of 2020.

TOP FOODS OF 2020 TO DATE

In 2019 we were introduced to the chicken sandwich war, and in 2020 it raged on as chain and independent restaurants added the sandwich to their menus for diners to enjoy. The spicy chicken sandwich saw a nearly 300% rise in popularity this year, with other top foods spanning a range of categories and plenty of newcomers.

  1. spicy chicken sandwich: 299% more popular
  2. plant-based burger: 291% more popular
  3. vanilla shake: 273% more popular
  4. iced latte: 261% more popular
  5. chili: 228% more popular
  6. cinnamon roll: 205% more popular
  7. chimichanga: 195% more popular
  8. beef burrito: 181% more popular
  9. potato taco: 169% more popular
  10. taro milk tea: 168% more popular

The Top Food in America’s Most Populous Cities

  • New York City: Mushroom burger: 150% more popular
  • Los Angeles: California burrito: 286% more popular
  • Chicago: Gyro: 299% more popular
  • Philadelphia: Buffalo chicken pizza: 323% more popular
  • Dallas-Fort Worth: Elote: 191% more popular
  • Bay Area (SF, Oakland, San Jose): Saag paneer: 389% more popular
  • Washington, DC: Drunken noodle: 166% more popular
  • Houston: Fried mushrooms: 238% more popular
  • Boston: Lettuce wrap: 268% more popular
  • Atlanta: Plant-based burger: 147% more popular

Methodology: Grubhub took a look at order trends on its platform from January 1 – June 20, 2020, as compared to the same timeframe in 2019 to find the top items rising in popularity so far.

SEASONAL FAVORITES & FORECASTS

Seasonal trends tend to impact eating habits, so we took a look at exactly what rose through the ranks this past winter and spring. As far as what we can expect to see in the latter half of 2020, summer is seeing lighter fare while the fall heats up with a little spice.

Top Trends: Winter

  1. chicken sandwich: 238% more popular
  2. New England clam chowder bowl: 195% more popular
  3. barbecue burger: 132% more popular
  4. sausage egg cheese sandwich: 101% more popular
  5. tan tan ramen: 96% more popular

Top Trends: Spring

  1. donuts: 214% more popular
  2. bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit: 169% more popular
  3. sausage burrito: 163% more popular
  4. chicken sandwich: 153% more popular
  5. plant-based sausage breakfast sandwich: 150% more popular

Forecasts: Summer (in ranking order)

  1. vegetable biryani
  2. spinach and artichoke wonton
  3. Mexican shrimp cocktail
  4. black bean and quinoa bowl
  5. balsamic chicken salad

Forecasts: Fall (in ranking order)

  1. miso tofu bowl
  2. quinoa taco salad
  3. mushroom burger
  4. cajun wing
  5. buffalo chicken empanada

Methodology: “Top Trends” look at the most popular food orders during winter (Dec 21, 2019 – March 19, 2020) and spring (March 20, 2020 — June 20, 2020) compared to those same periods in 2018 and 2019.  “Forecasted” items looked at the top foods on the Grubhub platform over the past two years, recently trending items, and other seasonal favorites to forecast what America will indulge in this summer & fall.

VEGAN & PLANT-BASED TRENDS CONTINUE TO GROW

Similar to Grubhub’s 2019 Year in Food Report, diners are continuing to eat vegan and vegetarian dishes. So far this year, vegan orders have risen by 23%, plant-based burgers specifically increasing by 90% and general plant-based orders by a whopping 135%!

Top Vegetarian Burgers

  1. black bean burger: 233% more popular
  2. grilled portobello mushroom burger: 179% more popular
  3. Impossible burger: 167% more popular
  4. quinoa-based burger: 161% more popular
  5. eggplant burger: 147% more popular

Top Vegan-friendly Cities

  1. New York, NY
  2. Los Angeles, CA
  3. Portland, OR
  4. Las Vegas, NV
  5. Boston, MA

Methodology: Grubhub took a look at vegan, vegetarian, and plant-based orders in each city and compared them to the overall number of orders.

PAST FAVORITES ARE STILL A HIT

Taking a look back at the “Top Foods of the Year” in Grubhub’s 2018 and 2019 Year In Food Report, we found that many of the past favorites are still trending in 2020.

  • spicy brussels sprouts: 125% more popular
  • portobello empanada: 99% more popular
  • plant-based burger : 95% more popular
  • bean burrito: 83% more popular — 2018’s more popular food
  • vegan pad thai: 74% more popular
  • cauliflower pizza: 31% more popular — 2019’s most popular food
  • black bean & sweet potato taco: 27% more popular

Methodology: Grubhub took a look at the top foods from past reports to see what was still gaining in popularity so far this year (January 1-June 20, 2020) as compared to the same timeframe last year.

TOP TRENDS ACROSS MEAL TIMES

Breakfast: while bacon, egg & cheese came in as #1 in 2019, we have yet to see the breakfast staple among 2020’s top foods.

  1. acai bowl: 359% more popular
  2. chorizo burrito: 270% more popular
  3. potato pancakes: 259% more popular
  4. shrimp and grits: 179% more popular
  5. vegetable wrap: 112% more popular

Lunch: salads and sandwiches lead the charge, while avocado toast makes a bit of a comeback.

  1. Thai chicken salad: 399% more popular
  2. tuna salad sandwich: 262% more popular
  3. chicken avocado melt: 188% more popular
  4. kale caesar salad: 165% more popular
  5. avocado toast: 164% more popular

Dinner: from Italian to Indian, diners are getting in a mix of cuisines for dinner.   

  1. rigatoni bolognese: 292% more popular
  2. lamb vindaloo: 283% more popular
  3. vegetable korma: 267% more popular
  4. moo shu pork: 266% more popular
  5. salmon avocado roll: 244% more popular

Top late-night orders: it’s no surprise carbs come in on top, but 2020 brings in the appearance of a sweet treat.  

  1. cheesy breadsticks: 412% more popular
  2. strawberry cheesecake: 247% more popular
  3. cheese sliders: 220% more popular
  4. jalapeno poppers: 216% more popular
  5. pizza puffs: 182% more popular

Methodology: Grubhub took a look at the top foods on its platform for the specified mealtimes/food types below from January 1-June 20, 2020 as compared to the same timeframe in 2019 to find the top items rising in popularity.

A LOOK AT HOW QUARANTINE HAS IMPACTED AMERICA

On March 18, the first shelter-in-place order was initiated in San Francisco and the rest of the country followed suit shortly after. As Americans stayed home, they continued to order food using features like contact-free delivery to safely enjoy their favorite meals from local restaurants.

Over the months, Grubhub has observed diners turn to comfort foods, order alcoholic beverages, and D.I.Y. orders. Under quarantine one thing was clear: morning coffee routines changed as orders of cold brew rose by 232%

Most popular foods nationwide: It’s all about the comfort foods and shareable plates as people order in.

  1. spicy chicken sandwich: 353% more popular
  2. red velvet cupcake: 196% more popular
  3. plant-based burger: 166% more popular
  4. cajun shrimp chicken pasta: 164% more popular
  5. cheeseburger sliders: 158% more popular

Most popular items searched: while restaurants and bars were closed, we can see that diners are searching for a way to bring home the full dining experience.

  1. wine
  2. cake
  3. boba tea
  4. beer
  5. donuts

Top Alcohol Orders (in ranking order): as delivery rose in popularity, so did alcoholic beverages while diners stayed home.

  1. pinot grigio
  2. hot sake
  3. rosé
  4. light beer
  5. IPA
  6. merlot
  7. frozen strawberry margarita
  8. chardonnay
  9. cabernet
  10. pina colada

Meal Kits rise to the occasion: During quarantine, orders of meal kits rose 55% compared to the year before as diners put their own personal touch on the ingredients delivered.

Most Popular Meal Kit Orders

  1. D.I.Y. burger
  2. D.I.Y. lobster roll kit
  3. D.I.Y. salad
  4. D.I.Y. pizza
  5. D.I.Y. gyro kit

Methodology: Grubhub took a look at both order trends and search trends on its platform in the respective categories from March 18 – June 18, 2020, compared to the same timespan in 2019 to find the top items in popularity.

Additionally, we saw diners show their generosity through our Donate the Change feature. At the start of the pandemic, we launched theGrubhub Community Relief Fund, where proceeds go to organizations that support members of our community who have been impacted by COVID-19, including restaurants, delivery partners, and those in need. With more than $7 million donated by diners and Grubhub (including through Grubhub’s matching of Grubhub+ orders), we were able to help feed the frontlines, support our drivers, support local restaurants, and so much more.

To find more about Grubhub or read more about the State of the Plate 2020 trends, check out Grubhub.com or visit the Grubhub Blog.

About Grubhub
Grubhub (NYSE: GRUB) is a leading online and mobile food-ordering and delivery marketplace with the largest and most comprehensive network of restaurant partners, as well as nearly 24 million active diners. Dedicated to connecting diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub elevates food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub features nearly 300,000 restaurants and is proud to partner with more than 200,000 of these restaurants in over 4,000 U.S. cities. The Grubhub portfolio of brands includes Grubhub, Seamless, LevelUp, AllMenus and MenuPage.

Grubhub Launches Annual “Year In Food” Report Highlighting The Top Trends In 2019

Vegan & vegetarian options continue to grow in popularity as meat alternatives rise

CHICAGO, Dec. 4, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Grubhub, the nation’s leading online and mobile food-ordering and delivery marketplace, today released findings from its annual “Year in Food” report. To find out what food trends shaped the year (or didn’t), Grubhub analyzed tens of millions of orders placed by more than 21 million diners on its platform to uncover the flavors and tastes rising up the ranks among today’s diners. Additionally, diners will receive their personalized “Taste of 2019” to get a glimpse of their favorite cuisines, menu items, and ordering habits throughout the year.

Key takeaways from the 2019 “Year in Food” report includes:

TOP ORDERS OF THE YEAR

One thing is clear: plant-based foods are here to stay, with a majority of 2019’s top foods comprising of vegetarian- or vegan-friendly options. Cauliflower pizza claimed the top spot, rising 650% in popularity throughout the year.

  1. Cauliflower pizza: 650%
  2. Spicy brussel sprouts: 622%
  3. Portobello empanada: 601%
  4. Black bean & sweet potato taco: 513%
  5. Miso pork ramen: 413%
  6. Chicken burger: 318%
  7. Bone broth: 298%
  8. Brown sugar milk [bubble] tea: 281%
  9. Vegan pad thai: 280%
  10. Impossible burger: 203%

Fun Facts:

  • While cauliflower dishes took home the #7 and #10 spots in 2018, this year cauliflower leads the charge.
  • Vegetarian- and vegan-friendly dishes took over 7 of our top 10 as opposed to only 3 of the top spots in 2018.

Breakfast: bacon, egg & cheese is a staple combo across breakfast that’s risen to the #1 spot from last year.

  1. BEC (bacon, egg & cheese) biscuit: 442% more popular
  2. Mixed berry acai bowl: 209% more popular
  3. Chicken & waffles: 167% more popular
  4. Strawberry banana french toast: 155% more popular
  5. Dutch pancake: 149% more popular

Desserts: a balanced mix of fan favorites, a few classics with a trendy spin, and a vegan dessert in our top five.

  1. Butter cake: 641% more popular
  2. Chocolate shake: 530% more popular
  3. fruit crepe : 223% more popular
  4. Caramel churro : 206% more popular
  5. vegan carrot cake : 144% more popular

Late-night: carbs come in handy for those snacking on late-night treats with yet another appearance from the vegan family.

  1. Buffalo chicken empanada : 277% more popular
  2. Brisket quesadilla: 200% more popular
  3. Truffle parmesan fries: 157% more popular
  4. Garlic & parmesan bread sticks: 132% more popular
  5. Vegan burger: 128% more popular

THE RISE OF PLANT-BASED OPTIONS

Vegan & vegetarian trends are still growing, with vegan orders rising 27% in popularity overall in 2019 as compared to 2018. Specifically, the Impossible Burger saw a more than 200% rise in popularity this year!

The top meat-alternative options of 2019 (in ranking order):

  1. Impossible Burger
  2. Black bean burger
  3. Tofu
  4. Mushroom burger
  5. Jackfruit

Top Spots for Vegans: If among the growing number of fans surrounding the vegan diet, Grubhub shed some light on the best (and not-so-great) states for people.

Most Vegan-Friendly States (in ranking order):

  1. New York
  2. California
  3. Nevada
  4. Oregon
  5. Pennsylvania

Least Vegan-Friendly States (in ranking order):

  1. Indiana
  2. Iowa
  3. North Carolina
  4. Missouri
  5. Idaho

FOODIE SUPERLATIVES

The state you should visit if you relate to the following:

  • The Night Owl (rise of late night orders): Washington DC
  • The Health Nut (rise of healthy foods): California
  • The Most Energized (rise of caffeinated drinks): Oregon
  • The Sweetest State (rise of desserts): Texas

Placed on GH in 2019:

  • Biggest single-item splurge: osetra black caviar for $285 (30g)
  • Largest order (non-catering): more than 300 tacos for a Halloween party
  • Smallest order: a single hot sauce packet (must’ve been a real emergency!)

THE TRENDS OF YEARS PAST

Burgers, pizza, and tacos will always be a delivery go-to; however, if there’s one thing we know it’s that trends come and go. Whether it’s cauliflower-everything or 2017’s top food of poke bowls, with more than 450,000 orders per day on average, it’s safe to say Grubhub has its finger on the pulse of what’s hot (and what’s not).

Trends on the Rise: it’s all about detox and milk alternatives this year

  1. Celery juice
  2. Oat milk
  3. Street corn

Middle of the road: not rising the ranks in popularity, but these remain a trusty go-to dish among diners

  1. Poke
  2. Avocado toast
  3. Kale

Trends on the Decline: forget fermentation and hydration, these two are on the out

  • Kombucha
  • Coconut water

Fun fact: celery juice and oat milk saw a claim to fame in 2019, seeing a 302% and 285% rise in popularity (respectively).

“BEST OF GRUBHUB”

While 2019 was a year for new trends, Grubhub also took a look at some of the top delivery go-to dishes and the restaurants that took home the title – “Best of Grubhub” – for each dish.

  • Burgers: Calibur in San Francisco is a local favorite known for their classic burger and homemade Calibur sauce (and don’t miss the Tallow Fries).
  • Pizza: a New York City staple, Joe’s Pizza (Greenwich Village Institution) takes it home for this delivery favorite.
  • Chicken wings: KyoChon in Los Angeles has been said to “more than compensate in addictive flavor” with a top dish being the restaurant’s honey wings.
  • Tacos: E Bar Tex Mex in Dallas is known for their tacos, especially “Jorge’s Tacos” featuring a set of four (diner’s choice!)
  • Poke: a dish known for its customization, SeaSweets Poke in Portland (Oregon) is the top spot for poke with the Ahi Shoyu Poke Bowl being a favorite.
  • Pad Thai: Circles Thai in Philadelphia comes in as the number one spot for this delivery essential.
  • Meatballs: diners love the Homemade Meatballs from DiPasquale’s Italian Marketplace in Baltimore, with the restaurant’s menu warning diners to “be prepared” for how large the meatball sub is!

A YEAR OF GIVING BACK

Since launching its “Donate the Change” feature in October, Grubhub diners have given back to those in need. In 2019 alone, diners rounded up and donated a whopping more than $10 million to support organizations (Jan-Oct) including Grubhub’s core partner, No Kid Hungry. Other organizations supported throughout the year include the James Beard Foundation’s Women’s Leadership Programs as part of the company’s RestaurantHER program and NYC Kids RISE, giving back to local public school students’ college and career futures to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Seamless, Grubhub’s New York-specific brand.

Grubhub’s “Year in Food” report is based on trends gathered from tens of millions of orders on the Grubhub platform. Order trends detail the rise in popularity of food items placed by Grubhub diners from January-November 2019, as compared to the same timeframe in 2018.

About Grubhub
Grubhub (NYSE: GRUB) is the nation’s leading online and mobile food-ordering and delivery marketplace with the largest and most comprehensive network of restaurant partners, as well as the largest diner base. Dedicated to connecting diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub strives to elevate food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub is proud to work with more than 140,000 restaurant partners in over 2,700 U.S. cities and London. The Grubhub portfolio of brands includes Grubhub, Seamless, LevelUp, Tapingo, AllMenus and MenuPages.

 

Grubhub Releases “State Of The Plate” Report Detailing Top Dining Trends To Date & Forecasts For The Remainder Of 2019

Continuing a trend from 2018, vegan orders are on the rise; diners look to some surprising options as summer approaches

CHICAGO, June 26, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — The recent solstice marks the start of the summer season, which means we’ve hit the halfway mark of the year! Grubhub, the nation’s leading online and mobile food-ordering and delivery marketplace, today launched its latest report, “State of the Plate.” Using data from more than half a million orders placed on an average day through its platform, Grubhub’s mid-year report checks in on the popular food trends so far, predicts what we can expect to see more of in the second half of the year, and provides an update on where some of the “trendier” foods actually stand. One fact that’s clear: vegan & vegetarian options are here to stay.

 

Key takeaways include:

VEGAN OPTIONS ARE HERE TO STAY:

As we highlighted in our 2018 “Year in Food” report, we know plant-based options are on the rise across America, and we’re seeing this trend in delivery as well. Orders of vegan-friendly foods on the Grubhub platform increased by 25% so far in 2019 (as compared to Jan-May 2018), with orders for the Impossible Burger specifically rising overall by 82%.

Vegan Meccas: Grubhub also looked at the areas ordering the most vegan foods & found these made the list:

  1. Los Angeles, CA
  2. Brooklyn, NY
  3. Portland, OR
  4. Las Vegas, NV
  5. Rochester, NY
  6. Philadelphia, PA
  7. Detroit, MI
  8. San Diego, CA

Methodology: To determine the top places for vegans, Grubhub evaluated a variety of factors using data available through its platform, including the number of vegan restaurants, ratings, order volume, and overall number of vegan items available on Grubhub in each respective city as compared to the rest of the country.

SEASONAL FAVORITES & FORECASTS:

Whether it’s heartier foods to keep you warm in winter or lighter bites for spring as you enter the warmer months, each season has food they’re known for among diners. But what’s to come for summer and fall? What we found below may surprise you!

Top Trends: Winter

  • chicken shish kabob: 240% more popular
  • chicken tinga: 131% more popular
  • spicy potato taco: 111% more popular
  • mushroom stroganoff: 90% more popular
  • cuban picadillo empanadas: 85% more popular

Top Trends: Spring

  • cauliflower bites: 536% more popular
  • ahi tuna salad: 467% more popular
  • mixed berry acai bowls: 411% more popular
  • chicken poblano : 336% more popular
  • quinoa taco: 285% more popular

Forecasts: Summer (in ranking order)

  1. barbecue pork buns
  2. truffle parm frie
  3. quinoa & arugula salad

Forecasts: Fall (in ranking order)

  1. pesto pasta
  2. fried okra
  3. lemongrass soup

Methodology: For “Top Trends,” Grubhub took a look at the top foods on the Grubhub platform from winter (Dec 21, 2018 – March 20, 2019) and spring (March 20 – June 8, 2019) as compared to the same timeframe in 2018 to find the top items rising in popularity. For “Forecasted” items, Grubhub looked at the top foods on the Grubhub platform over the past two years, recently trending items, and other seasonal favorites to forecast what America will indulge in this summer & fall.

BREAKING IT DOWN BY REGIONS: FAVORITES TO DATE

We know everywhere in the U.S. has their own taste, so Grubhub took a look at its most popular foods so far in 2019 across the four regions. To break it down: the Midwest kept it vegan- and vegetarian-friendly, the Northeast mixed it up with a classic making an appearance, the South stayed with seafood, and the West had a mix of “meat” options.

Midwest:

  • Impossible Burger: 326% more popular
  • cheese quesadilla: 144% more popular
  • waffle fries: 135% more popular

Northeast:

  • harvest bowl : 340% more popular
  • guay tiew pad see eiw: 319% more popular
  • bagel and egg sandwich : 204% more popular

South:

  • shrimp linguini alfredo: 273% more popular
  • baked potato soup : 236% more popular
  • new england clam chowder: 185% more popular

West:

  • glazed baby back rib: 412% more popular
  • pork burrito: 208% more popular
  • Impossible Burger: 194% more popular

Methodology: Grubhub took a look at the top foods on its platform from the specified regions from Jan 1-May 31, 2019 as compared to the same timeframe in 2018 to find the top items rising in popularity.

CHECKING IN ON OUR FAVORITE MEALS

Since we took a look at some of the top meals in our 2018 “Year in Food” report, we’ve seen some changes so far in 2019! Breakfast is leaning a bit more indulgent, dessert is a little chillier, and our late-night favorites lead a vegan option!

Breakfast: it’s all about the salty & sweet combo.

  • chicken & waffles: 219% more popular
  • sausage egg & cheese biscuit: 179% more popular
  • pancakes & bacon: 145% more popular

Dessert: who says ice cream won’t deliver well?!

  • brownie sundae: 273% more popular
  • cake batter frozen yogurt : 232% more popular
  • donut ice cream sandwich : 217% more popular

Late-night: it’s 2019 when a vegan burger leads the late-night trend!

  • Impossible Burger: 529% more popular
  • steak quesadilla: 447% more popular
  • mashed potatoes & gravy: 325% more popular

Methodology: Grubhub took a look at the top foods on its platform for the specified mealtimes/food types below from January-May 2019 as compared to the same timeframe in 2018 to find the top items rising in popularity.

To stay up-to-date on trends and restaurants nearby, check out the Grubhub Blog or follow along on Facebook and Instagram.

About Grubhub
Grubhub (NYSE: GRUB) is the nation’s leading online and mobile food-ordering and delivery marketplace with the largest and most comprehensive network of restaurant partners, as well as the largest diner base. Dedicated to connecting diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub strives to elevate food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub is proud to work with more than 115,000 restaurant partners in over 2,200 U.S. cities and London. The Grubhub portfolio of brands includes Grubhub, Seamless, LevelUp, Tapingo, AllMenus and MenuPages.