With fans glued to their TV screens, restaurants have traditionally seen a fall in custom during events such as the World Cup. However, a new Deliveroo survey reveals that the surge in popularity for food delivery is helping restaurants counter this trend.
The leading food delivery company has published the results of its survey as it also reveals how England’s World Cup success has boosted orders on the platform.
A poll of Deliveroo’s restaurant partners found that half tended to see fewer customers visiting their restaurants during major sporting events. But, with more and more people ordering food online, 75% of the same partners now expect a rise in delivery orders during the World Cup - offsetting any fall in business and demonstrating how Deliveroo is helping restaurants increase their revenue.
Orders on the delivery app rose on average by 25% in the hour before each of England’s Group Stage matches. Deliveries peaked 15 minutes before kick off, as fans prepared early to avoid answering the front door during the match and missing any of the action.
England’s final group match against Belgium was Deliveroo’s busiest ever dinner service for a Thursday night. The Monday night game against Tunisia was the fifth-busiest Monday for Deliveroo (excluding bank holidays), whilst the match against Panama was similarly Deliveroo’s fifth-busiest Sunday lunch.
Orders of beer, wine and spirits also rose by 20-25% on match days as fans prepared themselves to celebrate an England victory or drown their sorrows after a defeat.
Deliveroo UK and Ireland Managing Director Dan Warne said, ‘In previous World Cups restaurants much like England fans used to prepare for the worst, as football fans opted to stay at home or head straight to the pub to enjoy the games.
‘That’s why Deliveroo is pleased to be able to help people enjoy the best of both worlds - great football and great food - and support our restaurant partners who would have previously lost out.
‘As more and more people choose to order their favourite dishes through Deliveroo, we believe restaurants have every reason to look forward to the next World Cup, Olympics and Wimbledon.’
