Online Food Ordering Market Size & Growth, Forecast [2033]

Online Food Ordering Market Overview

The Online Food Ordering Market size was valued at USD 79444.96 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 114623.04 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2025 to 2033.

The online food ordering market has witnessed remarkable growth, driven by technological advancements and changing consumer behaviors. In 2024, over 900 million users globally engaged with online food delivery platforms, reflecting a significant increase from previous years. The Asia-Pacific region led this surge, contributing more than 42% of the global market share in 2023. Mobile applications have become the dominant platform for food ordering, with the mobile application segment holding the largest share in 2023. The convenience of online payments has also played a crucial role, with the online payment segment dominating the market in the same year.

Key Findings

Top Driver Reason: The proliferation of smartphones and user-friendly mobile applications has significantly increased the accessibility and convenience of online food ordering.

Top Country/Region: Asia-Pacific emerged as the leading region, accounting for over 42% of the global market share in 2023.

Top Segment: The mobile application platform dominated the market in 2023, highlighting the shift towards mobile-first consumer behavior.

Online Food Ordering Market Trends

The online food ordering market is evolving rapidly, influenced by technological innovations and shifting consumer preferences. One notable trend is the rise of ghost kitchens and virtual brands. These establishments, which operate without a physical dine-in space, have gained popularity due to their cost-effectiveness and flexibility. Technological advancements, particularly the integration of AI and machine learning, are enhancing customer experiences. AI algorithms analyze past orders and browsing history to offer personalized recommendations, increasing customer satisfaction and order frequency. Sustainability has become a significant focus, with platforms adopting eco-friendly practices such as biodegradable packaging and optimizing delivery routes to reduce carbon emissions. The emergence of quick commerce (q-commerce) is another trend reshaping the market. Q-commerce emphasizes rapid deliveries, typically in less than an hour, catering to consumers' demand for speed and convenience.

Online Food Ordering Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Digitalization and Smartphone Penetration

The widespread adoption of smartphones and the internet has revolutionized the food ordering process. User-friendly mobile applications have made it easier for consumers to browse menus, place orders, and track deliveries in real-time. This digital transformation has expanded the customer base, including tech-savvy users and those previously less inclined to use digital platforms.

RESTRAINT

Rising Delivery Costs

The convenience of online food delivery often comes with increased costs. For instance, a McDonald's meal priced at $10 in-store can surge to $25 when ordered through delivery platforms due to added fees. Such price hikes can deter consumers, especially during economic downturns, impacting the market's growth potential.

OPPORTUNITY

Expansion into Non-Restaurant Segments

Online food delivery platforms are diversifying their offerings beyond traditional restaurant meals. Companies like DoorDash are expanding into non-restaurant categories such as groceries and alcohol, tapping into new customer segments and revenue streams.

CHALLENGE

Intense Competition

The online food ordering market is highly competitive, with numerous players vying for market share. Companies like Meituan face increasing competition from rivals such as Alibaba and JD.com, which are investing heavily in their delivery services. This intense competition can lead to price wars and reduced profit margins.

Online Food Ordering Market Segmentation

The online food ordering market can be segmented by type and application:

By Type

B2B (Business-to-Business): This segment involves transactions between businesses, such as bulk orders from corporate clients. While specific figures are limited, the B2B model offers opportunities for platforms to establish long-term contracts and stable revenue streams.
B2C (Business-to-Consumer): The B2C segment dominates the market, driven by individual consumers placing orders through mobile applications. The mobile application segment held the largest share in 2023, reflecting the convenience and accessibility of this model.
Others: This category includes emerging models like q-commerce, which focuses on rapid deliveries of various products, including food, groceries, and medicines.

By Application

Restaurant-Controlled: Some restaurants manage their own delivery services, allowing for greater control over the customer experience. This model can lead to higher profit margins but requires significant investment in logistics and technology.
Independent: Independent delivery platforms partner with multiple restaurants, offering consumers a wide range of choices. This model has gained popularity due to its convenience and variety.

Online Food Ordering Market Regional Outlook

North America

The region has seen significant growth in online food ordering, with platforms like DoorDash expanding their presence. DoorDash's acquisition of Wolt for $8.1 billion and Deliveroo for $3.9 billion highlights the company's commitment to strengthening its market position.

Europe

European markets are experiencing a surge in online food delivery, with companies like Just Eat Takeaway.com operating across multiple countries. The company's extensive network includes brands like Takeaway.com, Lieferando, and Thuisbezorgd.nl.

Asia-Pacific

The Asia-Pacific region leads the global market, contributing over 42% of the revenue share in 2023. The region's growth is fueled by a large population, increasing smartphone penetration, and a rising middle class.

Middle East & Africa

While still emerging, the Middle East and Africa are witnessing growth in online food ordering. Companies are investing in infrastructure and technology to cater to the evolving consumer preferences in these regions.

List of Top Online Food Ordering Market Companies

McDonald's
KFC
Subway
Pizza Hut
Starbucks
Burger King
Domino's Pizza
Dunkin' Donuts
Dairy Queen
Papa John's
Wendy's
Just Eat
Takeaway
Alibaba Group (Ele.me)
GrubHub
OLO
Swiggy
Meituan
Uber Eats
DoorDash
Caviar

Top Two Companies with Highest Market Share

Meituan: In Q1 2025, Meituan reported a net profit of 10.06 billion yuan ($1.40 billion), surpassing analyst expectations. The company's revenue rose 18% year-over-year to 86.56 billion yuan, driven by its core local commerce segment.
DoorDash: DoorDash has shown impressive financial performance, turning profitable in the past three quarters. The company is projected to grow its earnings by 647% in 2025, reaching $2.17 per share.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Investments in the online food ordering market are on the rise, driven by technological advancements and changing consumer behaviors. DoorDash's strategic acquisitions of Wolt and Deliveroo for $8.1 billion and $3.9 billion, respectively, underscore the company's commitment to expanding its global footprint. In China, Meituan is investing $1 billion to launch its Keeta service in Brazil, following successful expansions in Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong. These investments highlight the company's focus on international growth and diversification. Companies are also investing in sustainability initiatives. Delivery Hero, for instance, has invested $500 million in sustainable packaging and an electric bikes fleet, reflecting the industry's shift towards eco-friendly practices. The integration of AI and machine learning is another area attracting investments. Platforms are leveraging these technologies to enhance customer experiences through personalized recommendations and efficient delivery logistics.

New Product Development

Innovation is at the forefront of the online food ordering market. DoorDash has launched AI-driven logistics tools, improving delivery accuracy by 22%. Swiggy has introduced drone delivery trials in Bengaluru, reducing delivery times by 30%. Similarly, Uber Eats has integrated robotic deliveries in Los Angeles, achieving a 20% increase in efficiency. Zomato has expanded its operations to cloud kitchens in the UAE, adding 120 new kitchens. These developments reflect the industry's commitment to leveraging technology for enhanced customer experiences.

Five Recent Developments

DoorDash: Launched AI-driven logistics tools, improving delivery accuracy by 22%.
Swiggy: Introduced drone delivery trials in Bengaluru, cutting delivery times by 30%.
Zomato: Expanded to cloud kitchen operations in the UAE, adding 120 new kitchens.
Uber Eats: Integrated robotic deliveries in Los Angeles, achieving a 20% increase in efficiency.
Delivery Hero: Invested $500 million in sustainable packaging and an electric bikes fleet.

Report Coverage of Online Food Ordering Market

The report on the online food ordering market offers a thorough examination of key elements influencing the industry’s dynamics. It delves deep into consumer behavior patterns, technological trends, platform types, regional insights, and the evolving landscape of food delivery services globally. The analysis includes quantitative insights derived from over 60 countries, covering more than 800 million users who actively use food delivery platforms. The report addresses the evolution of food delivery systems from traditional phone-call-based ordering to sophisticated app-based platforms. With over 70% of food orders now being placed via mobile apps, the research tracks how technology integration has increased speed, accuracy, and convenience in the ordering process. It analyzes the role of AI in logistics, showing how companies like Uber Eats and Meituan have reduced delivery times by up to 25% using AI-powered route optimization. Key market segments are dissected thoroughly, including B2B, B2C, and other emerging models such as q-commerce. The study emphasizes the increasing demand for B2C services, which accounted for the majority of user transactions in 2024. It also examines application-based segmentation, highlighting how restaurant-controlled deliveries are gaining traction due to better control over delivery quality and cost efficiency.

The regional scope of the report spans North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. In North America, DoorDash and Uber Eats dominate, collectively handling over 70% of online food delivery orders in the U.S. In Asia-Pacific, Meituan’s user base exceeded 600 million, with over 40 million daily orders, making it a dominant regional force. Europe’s market is led by Just Eat Takeaway, which reported delivering over 300 million meals across 20 countries in 2023. Furthermore, the report outlines key investment patterns and recent financial maneuvers. Companies invested heavily in infrastructure, mobile-first technologies, and last-mile delivery innovations. For instance, Swiggy received $800 million in funding in 2024 to expand into tier-2 and tier-3 Indian cities, demonstrating investor confidence in the market's continued growth potential.

The report also integrates the challenges faced by the sector, including rising operational costs, intense competition, and sustainability pressures. Despite these challenges, the market is poised for innovation-led growth, supported by continuous product development and expansion strategies. With over 300 data tables and charts, the report equips stakeholders with actionable insights. It provides forecasting models based on historical data, behavioral trends, and predictive analytics, ensuring businesses can strategize effectively for the next five years.