In a context that is more uncertain than ever and where restrictions have a great impact on the daily lives of restaurants, a new restaurant model is imposed. This model consists of online orders and leads restaurant managers to question the measures they would take, in case the COVID-19 crisis continues. Thus, we observe that in the perspective of a long-term crisis, ** percent of restaurant owners would continue with online delivery, while ** percent would close their establishment temporarily.

Meal deliveries before and during the COVID-19 crisis

According to data provided by YouGov France, ** percent of online meal delivery orders and takeaway clients were aged between 18 and 34. Thus, for students, the main reason to order online was to treat themselves from time to time, as well as to save time. Since the sanitary crisis, the number of online delivery orders has increased significantly on a European level as well as for France, reaching a growth of ** percent in 2020. With McDonald's at the top of the ranking for the most mentioned brands on social media, it was Uber Eats who marked the podium, with ** percent of orders made from the platform. And, even though the French showed their support for fast food chains by ordering burgers, pizzas remained at the top of delivered culinary experiences.

The future of online delivery after the crisis

After the end of the first confinement period, the percentage of people ordering online as "a little treat" had decreased by **** percent. However, acknowledging the comfort of having ready cooked meals delivered to the doorstep, ** percent of French people said that they would increase their online orders, spending on average ** to ** euros per orders. This model seems to be lucrative for people wanting to support local businesses who had to shut down their physical activity, even after lifting the lockdown. For those businesses who had been offering delivery services and for those who have started offering these services since the crisis, both are recognizing the prevailing trend of online delivery, even after the crisis.

Working from home became a reality for many French people during the lockdown enforced by the government in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Over this period, a share of the French employee population had food breaks during their working hours, some of them also regarded these as moments of comfort. Over ************** of respondents enjoyed sweet snacks; with cakes, cookies, and candy at the top of the podium.