The Pandemic Made Delivery a Necessity for Restaurants. What’s Next? 

When COVID-19 forced restaurant shutdowns more than a year ago, foodies sprung into action to help our favorite businesses survive what we thought would be a slow few weeks. We bought gift cards for future use, donated to employee relief funds, and shared our favorite spots on social media. But as reality of the pandemic sunk in and dining rooms remained closed, it became apparent that ordering delivery and takeout was the best way to help restaurants weather the storm -- and there was a significant consumer appetite to do so. By August 2020, Americans reported ordering takeout 2.4 times a week, spending a total of $67 weekly since the start of the pandemic.

It was a challenging few months when many independently-owned establishments had to find their rhythm with the volume and frequency of delivery orders. While many cracked the code, some are still adapting. The National Restaurant Association’s State of the Industry Report found 46 percent of family-dining and fine-dining…