November 25, 2025
Customer food ordering behavior has changed significantly post‑pandemic, with online ordering and delivery becoming the preferred dining option for many. Restaurants quickly adapted to this new demand by using delivery platforms and digital ordering systems.
However, a major gap remains: Despite the growth in online ordering, many restaurant owners find themselves reliant on third‑party platforms, losing control over customer data and brand experience.
As delivery‑only models grow, restaurants that are still dependent on third‑party services risk being left behind. To fully capitalize on changes in food ordering behavior, restaurants must regain control by adopting an online ordering solution that eliminates high commissions, increases customer engagement, and boosts profitability.
The pandemic triggered a permanent shift in how customers order food. Dine‑in visits decreased sharply, while off‑premise options like takeout, delivery, and curbside pickup became the default for many.
As the Canadian online food‑delivery market grew from USD 18.99 billion in 2024 to a projected USD 28.64 billion by 2030, it highlights a clear and long‑term change in consumer habits towards delivery and convenience.
These shifts in ordering channels reveal the what and where of consumer change. But understanding why customers make these choices requires looking deeper into the psychological forces that drive their decisions.
The shift to online food ordering isn't just a response to convenience; it's driven by deeper psychological factors that influence purchasing decisions. Understanding these drivers can help restaurants tailor their offerings and systems to meet changing customer expectations.
Studies have shown that appetizing images have a powerful impact on food ordering decisions. A well‑presented dish or an enticing photo can trigger emotional responses, leading to immediate cravings. In online ordering, customers often rely on visuals to guide their choices. Restaurants that use high‑quality images on their menus or apps create a stronger desire for their offerings.
A solution that integrates and automates a menu ordering system can highlight seasonal dishes or bestsellers, making sure the most visually appealing options are front and center, increasing the likelihood of a sale.
Ratings, reviews, and customer feedback play an important role in shaping food ordering behavior. Consumers trust reviews and ratings as a form of social proof, using others' experiences to validate their choices. Integrating customer reviews and ratings directly into your ordering system influences their decision.
An AI-powered review system allows restaurant owners to seamlessly read, analyze, and reply to reviews across all platforms in one convenient dashboard, making it easier to manage customer feedback. By engaging with customers, showcasing positive reviews, and responding to feedback promptly, restaurants can build trust, inspire confidence, and ultimately increase orders.
The need for convenience has accelerated as customers seek ways to minimize the time and effort spent on food ordering. Mobile apps, easy-to-navigate websites, and simple checkout processes are now the expected norm.
Customers are drawn to platforms that allow them to quickly browse the menu, order, and pay without hassle. Offering a multi-channel ordering solution, whether through a branded website or QR code, ensures that the process is seamless, whether customers are at home, in the office, or on the go.
Personalization has become a key factor in food ordering decisions. Customers now expect platforms to remember their preferences, recommend items based on past orders, and offer tailored promotions.
A smart ordering system that integrates loyalty and reward programs, tracks preferences, and sends targeted offers can build long-term customer relationships. By delivering a personalized experience, restaurants can boost customer retention and increase lifetime value.
Technology acts as the bridge between customer expectations and restaurant delivery, transforming psychology into action through real-time tracking, seamless multichannel ordering, and data-driven personalization.
Technology isn’t just changing the ‘how’ of food ordering; it’s shifting the ‘why’ and ‘what’ of consumer behavior. Below are key advancements that are influencing customer expectations, and how restaurants can respond to them.
Live updates, GPS tracking, and optimized route systems make delivery predictable and transparent. Customers now expect not only to place orders but to see where their order is in real time and when it will arrive.
Implication for restaurants: Offer live tracking, clear delivery windows, and automated alerts. When customers feel in control of the time and process, satisfaction rises, and repeat behavior strengthens.
From mobile apps to QR codes and branded websites, customers have embraced ordering from multiple devices and channels. The shift away from walk‑in and phone orders toward digital platforms reflects both convenience and changing technology usage.
Implication for restaurants: Maintain a consistent branded channel (app, site, QR) that allows orders to be seamlessly placed across devices. When customers find what they want quickly on their chosen channel, they’re more likely to place orders and return.
Cloud‑based point‑of‑sale systems connect order capture, inventory, payment, delivery, and analytics in real time. Such integrations reduce friction, enable faster updates, and support scalability as customer behavior adapts to technology.
Implication for restaurants: Ensure your systems sync ordering, fulfillment, and feedback data. This lets you respond to changing customer demands, faster fulfillment, accurate menu updates, and responsive service, so your brand stays in step with shifting preferences.
Customer food‑ordering behavior has become more digital, fast, and data‑driven, and restaurants need to match that evolution. By adjusting menu strategy, optimizing channels, and tightening operations, businesses can stay aligned with what diners expect today.
These best practices form a roadmap, but they demand a platform that consolidates operations into a single, cohesive system that automates these workflows, from order capture through customer feedback.
As customer food ordering behavior evolves, restaurants need a solid solution to stay competitive. iOrders offers a comprehensive platform designed to streamline online ordering, reduce third-party commission fees, and enhance customer engagement.
The customer food ordering behavior has undergone a fundamental transformation post‑pandemic, with consumer behavior shifting towards convenience, personalization, and digital ordering. Restaurants must adapt by adopting technology that allows them to meet customer expectations for speed, ease, and customization.
By optimizing their menu, improving the ordering experience, and implementing cloud‑based systems, restaurants can boost customer loyalty and ultimately grow profitability.
iOrders provides the ideal solution for restaurants and cloud kitchens to regain control over their food ordering process. The iOrders platform helps businesses to manage orders directly, optimize customer engagement, and reduce reliance on third-party platforms. Book a free demo today!
1. What are the 7 O's of consumer behavior?
The 7 O’s of consumer behavior refer to Occasions, Objectives, Obstacles, Outputs, Opportunities, Options, and Outcomes. These factors influence how consumers make purchasing decisions based on context, needs, barriers, and expected results.
2. What are the 4 types of ordering systems?
The four main types of food ordering systems are in‑store ordering, online ordering (website or app), phone ordering, and self-service kiosks. Each system has its advantages in terms of convenience, customer interaction, and order volume.
3. What are the 5 stages of consumer buying behavior?
The five stages of consumer buying behavior are problem recognition, information search, evaluation of alternatives, purchase decision, and post-purchase behavior. These stages guide consumers from realizing a need to evaluating options and making a final decision.
4. What are the main things affecting consumer behavior?
Key factors influencing consumer behavior include psychological influences (e.g., motivation, perception), social factors (e.g., family, culture), personal factors (e.g., lifestyle, age), and external factors (e.g., marketing, economic conditions).
5. What is the Food 2030 approach?
The Food 2030 approach focuses on developing sustainable, resilient, and healthy food systems by 2030. It includes goals like promoting healthier eating, reducing food waste, and improving food security, while also addressing environmental impacts and innovation in food technology.
