Britain's leading managed restaurant groups have achieved three consecutive months of year-on-year expansion in delivery and takeaway sales during August.

According to CGA's Hospitality at Home Tracker by NIQ, the revenue generated from orders in August 2023 was 6% higher compared to August 2022. This positive trend follows 18 consecutive months of negative year-on-year trading as consumers gradually returned to dining out after the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

CGA's Tracker reveals a 9% increase in delivery sales by value, showing a notably swifter growth rate than the 1% observed in takeaways and click-and-collect sales. Although the overall volume of orders has experienced a 2% month-on-month decline, this rate of decrease has recently slowed.

However, despite the summer recovery, deliveries and takeaways now understandably constitute a smaller portion of restaurants' overall trade compared to during the COVID-19 period. In August, combined sales accounted for 13% of the total sales of restaurant groups, marking a significant drop from the 22% recorded in August 2022.

Karl Chessell, CGA’s Business Unit Director – Hospitality Operators and Food, EMEA, commented:

“Delivery and takeaway sales have fallen substantially from the boom years of 2020 and 2021, when they were vital in sustaining restaurants’ trading through lockdowns.

But it’s encouraging to see them back in year-on-year growth now, and they are certain to remain a significant element of restaurants’ operations.

It will be important to optimise delivery logistics and third-party partnerships for consumers who have become accustomed to ordering in, while continuing to provide compelling reasons for others to eat out.”