Food Delivery Statistics: Market Size & Growth Data

In This Article

• How Smartphones Transformed Food Delivery
• Food Delivery Market Statistics
• Why Food Photography Matters
• AI-Powered Solutions
• FAQ

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How Smartphones Transformed the Food Delivery Industry

Ten years ago, food delivery meant pizza or Chinese takeaway. Today, food delivery statistics show a $288 billion global industry.^[1] Whether you're ordering through Talabat in Dubai, Deliveroo in London, Swiggy in Mumbai, or Uber Eats anywhere else, the experience is the same: scroll, tap, wait, eat.

Your menu photos compete against every other restaurant in the app

Food Delivery Market Size & Statistics (2024-2030)

The numbers tell the story:

• The global online food-delivery market has more than tripled since 2015^[2]
• The pandemic accelerated growth dramatically, pushing the market to $288 billion by 2024^[1]
• The market is projected to surpass half a trillion dollars by 2030^[3]
• Ghost kitchens are projected to capture 50% of drive-thru and takeaway foodservice by 2030^[4]
• In many regions mobile orders continue to rise by double-digit rates each year^[5]

Better mobile internet and busier lifestyles keep pushing these numbers up.^[5] For many people, ordering dinner isn't a treat anymore - it's just how weeknights work.

Delivery platforms have become an essential channel for restaurants of every size - from small family businesses to international chains. For many establishments, online orders represent a significant share of their total revenue^[6], making digital presence just as crucial as the in-house dining experience.

Delivery drivers have become an integral part of the restaurant ecosystem

Why Food Photography Drives Success on Delivery Apps

On a delivery app, customers can't smell your food, see your dining room, or ask the waiter what's good. They're making decisions based almost entirely on photos - 40% of diners say they've tried a restaurant after seeing food photos online.^[7] A dark, blurry image gets scrolled past. A clean, well-lit shot gets tapped.

Whether it's Talabat, Deliveroo, Uber Eats, or a regional player, most cities have only 1-3 dominant platforms^[8] - which means every local restaurant ends up competing side by side. When your shawarma shop sits next to fifty others in the same app, the photo is often what tips the decision.

The 5-Minute Decision Window

Nearly half of customers (49%) decide what to order within 5-10 minutes of opening the app.^[9] That's not much time. Your photo needs to work fast.

Research consistently shows that better food photos lift orders - by as much as 35% on some platforms.^[10] When ten restaurants sell similar dishes at similar prices, the photo often decides who gets the order.

The problem? Professional food photography isn't cheap or quick. A proper photoshoot means hiring a photographer, prepping the kitchen, and blocking out half a day. Even getting the lighting right takes knowledge most restaurant owners don't have. And when the menu changes next month, you're back to square one.

The moment of pickup: where professional food photography meets customer expectations

AI-Powered Food Photography: The Modern Solution

Most restaurant owners don't have the budget for regular professional photoshoots, and shouldn't need one. With AI-enhanced food photography, you can turn your own smartphone photos into clean, professional images without hiring a photographer or learning complex editing software.

The process is straightforward: snap a photo with decent lighting, upload it, and let an AI food photo editor handle the background, colour correction, and polish. The dish stays authentic - you're not generating fake food - but the setting looks like a proper studio shot. Our photo guide covers what makes a good source image.

As delivery apps keep growing, the restaurants with better photos will keep winning more orders. It's not complicated, but it does matter.

Ready to improve your restaurant's delivery app presence? View our pricing or try GourmetPix today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How big is the food delivery market?

$288 billion globally as of 2024, and growing fast. Grand View Research projects it'll pass $500 billion by 2030. The market has more than tripled since 2017.

Why do food photos matter on delivery apps?

Because customers can't smell or taste before ordering - they decide based on what they see. Studies show better photos can lift orders by up to 35%. When you're competing against dozens of similar restaurants in the same app, good lighting and presentation often make the difference.

How quickly do customers decide what to order?

Fast. Nearly 50% decide within 5-10 minutes of opening the app. Your photos have seconds to make an impression.

What's the best way to get professional food photos for my restaurant?

Traditional photography costs $15-180 per dish depending on where you are. AI tools like GourmetPix offer a cheaper, faster option - you upload smartphone photos and get professional-looking results in minutes. See our complete pricing breakdown for regional rates.

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References