This article provides a detailed breakdown of delivery statistics for pizza restaurants, answering key questions for those starting in the industry.
As a pizza restaurant owner, understanding the dynamics of delivery orders is essential for optimizing your business model. Delivery can play a critical role in boosting your revenue, but it is important to know how it compares to dine-in and takeout orders. Below is a comprehensive overview of the most important statistics you should be aware of.
Delivery has become a major revenue driver for pizza restaurants. The percentage of orders coming from delivery, the costs involved, and customer preferences vary widely by location, restaurant type, and platform. Understanding these details will help you improve efficiency, cut unnecessary costs, and optimize your delivery operations.
| Metric | Typical Range | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage of Orders from Delivery | 20–40% | In urban areas, this can be higher due to younger demographics preferring delivery |
| Average Delivery Orders per Day | 15–60 | Varies by restaurant type and location, with ghost kitchens being on the lower end |
| Proportion of Sales from Delivery | 20–35% | Delivery often represents a significant portion of overall sales, especially in urban areas |
| Average Ticket Size (Delivery) | 10–30% higher | Delivery orders tend to have higher ticket sizes due to bundled deals or digital upselling |
| Most Common Delivery Channels | In-house vs third-party apps | Many restaurants use both in-house and third-party platforms like DoorDash and Uber Eats |
| Percentage of Repeat Delivery Customers | 20–35% | Direct channels and loyalty programs can increase repeat business |
| Delivery Cost Percentage | 20–35% | Includes wages, packaging, and platform fees, which can significantly eat into margins |
1. What percentage of total orders come from delivery compared to dine-in and takeout?
Delivery orders typically make up 20–40% of total restaurant orders, depending on location and target demographic. In urban areas or among younger customers, delivery is usually more popular than dine-in.
According to industry benchmarks, about 57% of Americans prefer ordering delivery or takeout, with millennials favoring delivery even more. As the trend towards online ordering grows, this percentage is expected to rise further.
The shift towards delivery has been notably faster than dine-in orders, growing at a rate of 300% since 2014.
2. What is the average number of delivery orders per day and per week?
For a typical pizza restaurant, delivery order volume ranges from 15 to 60 orders per day, which translates to 100 to 420 orders per week. However, this number can vary based on location and the restaurant's size.
Fast food or ghost kitchen operations tend to have a lower order volume compared to established pizza restaurants.
Restaurants with a dedicated focus on delivery may see higher order volumes, especially in dense urban areas.
3. What is the proportion of delivery sales revenue compared to overall restaurant sales revenue?
Delivery typically accounts for 20–35% of a pizza restaurant's total sales revenue. This proportion can be even higher for businesses that focus heavily on delivery.
Urban markets and younger customers tend to drive a larger share of revenue from delivery orders. Additionally, digital ordering tends to result in higher average order values, further contributing to revenue growth.
The exact revenue share will depend on the restaurant's target market, location, and overall business model.
4. What is the average ticket size for delivery orders compared to dine-in and takeout orders?
Delivery orders tend to have 10–30% higher ticket sizes compared to dine-in or takeout. This is due to various factors such as bundled deals, upselling during the order process, and minimum purchase requirements for free delivery.
Restaurants with digital ordering platforms may also use upselling techniques, such as recommending sides or drinks, to increase the average ticket size.
As a result, even though delivery orders may be fewer in volume compared to dine-in, they can still significantly impact overall sales.
5. What delivery channels are used most frequently—own drivers, third-party apps, or both?
The majority of pizza restaurants use a combination of in-house delivery drivers and third-party apps to handle orders. Third-party platforms such as Uber Eats and DoorDash are often preferred for their convenience and wider reach.
However, direct ordering from the restaurant allows for better control over customer data, lower fees, and the potential for repeat business through loyalty programs.
Hybrid solutions, which use both in-house drivers and third-party platforms, are increasingly common for pizza restaurants aiming to maximize their market reach.
6. What percentage of delivery orders come from each platform (such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, or in-house ordering)?
Platform market share can vary significantly by region. Nationally, DoorDash leads with 27–32% of delivery orders, followed by Uber Eats at 20–25%. In-house orders typically account for 20–30% of all delivery sales.
Restaurants may find it beneficial to focus on one or more platforms based on their target market, fees, and delivery reach.
In some cases, restaurants with strong local customer bases may prefer in-house delivery to keep more control and lower costs.
7. What are the current delivery coverage areas and how do they influence order volume?
Delivery volume is strongly influenced by the geographical reach of your delivery service. Urban areas typically see higher order volumes due to their higher population density and the wider availability of third-party platforms.
In contrast, suburban or rural locations may have lower order volumes due to limited delivery reach. For pizza restaurants, offering delivery within a 10 km radius is common in cities.
Wider coverage areas often lead to better order volumes, but operational costs can rise as delivery times increase.
8. What is the average delivery time from order placed to order received?
In major cities, the average delivery time is typically between 24–35 minutes. This can extend to 40–50 minutes during peak hours or if deliveries are farther away.
Suburban and rural areas may experience longer delivery times due to geographic spread and lower order density.
Pizza restaurants must account for these factors when managing customer expectations and optimizing their delivery system.
9. What percentage of delivery orders result in complaints, refunds, or returns?
Approximately 5–10% of delivery orders lead to complaints, often due to issues such as delays, incorrect items, or temperature problems. Third-party platforms generally have a slightly higher rate of errors than in-house delivery systems.
Managing these complaints efficiently is crucial for maintaining customer satisfaction and loyalty.
It's important to have clear procedures in place for handling refunds and resolving issues quickly.
10. What is the delivery cost percentage (driver wages, packaging, platform fees) relative to sales?
Delivery costs, including driver wages, packaging, and platform fees, typically represent 20–35% of delivery order value. Platform fees alone can account for 15–30% of gross sales.
Restaurants with their own delivery systems may reduce some costs, but they still need to invest in logistics and packaging.
These expenses can significantly impact profit margins, so it's important to track and manage delivery costs effectively.
11. What is the percentage of repeat customers within delivery compared to dine-in customers?
Repeat customer rates for delivery tend to be lower than dine-in, especially when third-party apps are used. On average, about 20–35% of customers order again via delivery, compared to 30–50% for dine-in customers.
Using loyalty programs or direct ordering systems can increase repeat delivery orders by encouraging customers to return to your restaurant for future purchases.
Managing repeat customers through loyalty incentives can help boost delivery sales and customer retention.
12. What seasonal or day-of-week variations exist in delivery demand compared to other order types?
Delivery orders tend to peak during colder months, weekends, and bad weather conditions. Evenings, especially Friday nights, see a significant surge in delivery orders.
Weekends and holidays are stronger for dine-in, while weekdays and evening rushes often see more delivery orders.
Understanding these patterns helps you forecast demand and optimize staffing and delivery operations accordingly.
Conclusion
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. We accept no liability for any actions taken based on the information provided.
To ensure your pizza restaurant is positioned for success, understanding these trends is crucial.
Stay ahead of the competition by adjusting your business model to maximize the delivery channel's potential.