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Survey: Many customers want QSR delivery option

July 17, 2013

Restaurant DemandTracker has released its quarterly survey of 3,000 U.S. restaurant consumers — this time focusing on which QSRs would most likely benefit from offering delivery.

The survey asked people what changes QSR brands could make that would cause them to visit or use that restaurant more often. Among the top 20 chains, Wendy's has the highest number of people, 14 percent, who said they would use that brand more often if delivery service were available.

McDonald's has the second-highest number at 12 percent, followed by Subway, Church's Chicken, Popeyes and Taco Bell, with 11 percent each.

Burger King already offers delivery in about a dozen metropolitan areas.

Analyzing the demographic profile of respondents, Restaurant DemandTracker's report concludes that consumers who are 18 to 34, single and with lower income, are more interested in QSR delivery service than other groups. Additionally, one out of three Hispanics expressed interest in delivery service, compared to one in seven of the total population.

"As quick-service restaurant companies consider offering delivery, it's important to understand to which restaurant consumers that service would most appeal," said David Decker, president of Consumer Edge Insight. "Our research suggests that delivery appeals the most to young, single people living alone who therefore might not be able to justify a very high minimum order size. And Hispanics are especially interested in delivery, likely in part driven by their lower rate of car ownership. Any quick-service chain considering offering delivery should carefully consider the local market profile of each of their locations to determine which locations might make the most sense, as well as carefully considering the operational challenges of offering delivery."

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