Essential Off-Premises Dining for Restaurant Consumers, Operators
Two-thirds of Gen Z and millennials say takeout is essential to their lifestyle
Nearly 75% of all restaurant traffic now happens off-premises—meaning that almost three out of four restaurant orders are taken to go. New data from the National Restaurant Association's 2025 Off-Premises Restaurant Trends report highlights how off-premises dining has become both a consumer preference and business essential, with the convenience and availability of takeout, delivery, and drive-thru now deeply embedded in everyday life.
"Off-premises dining has become a key revenue driver and an essential way to engage consumers," said Dr. Chad Moutray, chief economist at the National Restaurant Association. "It now accounts for a larger share of sales for 58% of limited-service and 41% of full-service operators compared with 2019—providing a critical path to restaurant resilience and growth despite ongoing economic pressures."
Gen Z and millennials are leading the way: Two-thirds say takeout is essential to their lifestyle, and nearly six in 10 use takeout or drive-thru at least weekly. More than 60% say they're ordering off-premises more often than a year ago.
Demand spans regions: Most urban consumers say takeout or drive-thru is essential, while 67% of rural consumers wish they had more options for takeout—highlighting areas for growth.
Preferences vary by age and format: Mobile ordering is mainstream, used by 57% of adults recently including 74% of millennials and 65% of Gen Z adults. Older adults still prefer in-person ordering. Takeout is the most frequent off-premises method, followed by drive-thru and delivery.
Restaurants are responding: 65% of limited-service operators now offer delivery, with many expecting curbside and dedicated takeout areas to be even more common in 2025. Fewer fullservice restaurants currently offer off-premises services; however, these operators see potential in the trend—43% expect curbside pickup to grow, 31% anticipate more dedicated takeout counters, and 12% foresee more drive-thru lanes. Many see these options not just as operational updates, but as strategic growth opportunities in a changing market.
Consumers want speed, ease of use and rewarding experiences. 94% of all consumers say speed is critical, with over nine in 10 citing customer service as a top priority. Three-quarters of delivery customers value tech-enabled ordering and payments.
Value matters, too—over 80% of consumers utilize deals like "Buy One, Get One" offers, combo meals, or real-time specials. Loyalty programs also matter: 65% of drive-thru users and over 60% of takeout and delivery users say membership affects where they order.
Meanwhile, according to consumers, here are some opportunities for restaurants:
- Packaging: 90% say they'd order a greater variety of items if the food maintained on-premises quality during delivery; over half would pay more for premium packaging that supported quality during transport.
- Real-time deals: Nearly 9 in 10 would use limited-time app-only offers.
- New formats: 67% are interested in bundled meals, 70% in meal kits, and 62% in subscriptions.
- New tech: Half of Gen Z adults (50%) and millennials (52%) say they'd consider ordering from an AI-generated video assistant.
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