Uber Eats Releases List of 2019’s Most Popular Food Options
Food delivery customers are increasingly ordering plant-based food alternatives and trendy wellness food products going into 2020.
As third-party delivery continues to take over the QSR and fast-casual segment, apps like Uber Eats and GrubHub can provide franchisors with valuable information about consumer habits. As the year comes to a close, Uber Eats has released a list of 2019's most popular foods and its predictions for food trends in 2020.
Unsurprisingly, when it comes to late-night eats and food deliveries, the new report reveals that people are increasingly looking for healthier or plant-based food options. According to Market Watch, the health and wellness food market is expected to see a growth rate of 5.7% between now and 2024. This year, plant-based meat alternatives like Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat became one of the most talked-about food trends, popping up on the menus of major fast-food chains like Burger King, Carl’s Jr., Hardee’s and White Castle.
Another food trend that franchisors would be wise to take note of? Cold brew coffee. The popularity of cold brew has "soared" in recent years, according to CNBC. In fact, cold beverage sales make up half of coffee retailer Starbucks' U.S. sales, and the company has released two new cold brew beverages in the last year alone, the wildly popular Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew and the brand new Irish Cream Cold Brew.
There are plenty of other interesting results found in the study. Uber Eats reported a rise in cauliflower orders after cauliflower gnocchi and pizza crusts exploded in popularity thanks to people attempting to cut carbs from their diets. Keto food options are another low-carb alternative experiencing a surge in popularity. Here’s a weird one that is continuing to grow: squid ink.
Will these food trend predictions be true for 2020? Are bone broth and oak milk franchise concepts on the horizon? We'll have to wait and see.