Pickup and delivery services are nothing new to the restaurant industry. However, because of evolving consumer lifestyles, restaurants need to adapt to off-premises eating trends. Under what circumstances do consumers buy meals from a restaurant, but eat them somewhere else?

This report sheds important light on off-premises eating trends, by analyzing the following:

What lifestyle trends are driving off-premises dining, and how can the restaurant industry adapt?

How can industry players adapt to online ordering?

Who currently eats “off the premises” and by what method do they order or pick up their food?

What motivates consumers to choose delivery over dining in? Pickup over dining in? Dining in over pickup?

Which restaurant segments—and restaurants—are leading the way? Which are falling behind?

How are ready-to-eat meals changing the game?

Which consumer demographics hold the key to the future?

For the purposes of this report, off-premises eating is defined as the act of obtaining food from a restaurant but eating it somewhere other than the restaurant.

With this definition in mind, this report explores the various ways by which consumers obtain restaurant meals. This includes, but is not limited to, calling ahead for pickup, using the drive-thru, and ordering delivery or catering. Mintel reveals how off-premises eating (and consumer attitudes toward off-premises eating) applies to a range of restaurant segments—including fast food, fast casual, family, casual, and fine dining.

Using proprietary consumer research, statistical analysis, and other information tools, Mintel provides actionable insights for the off-premises eating market.