Restaurants: Consumers trust AI for food recommendations but don't want robots preparing it, finds DoorDash survey

Why it is the topic trending:

• Insights into Delivery Trends: The DoorDash Delivery Trends Report provides valuable data on evolving consumer preferences in the food delivery market, which is of high interest to restaurants, delivery platforms, and consumers.

• Technology Adoption in Food: The survey explores consumer attitudes towards the use of AI and robots in food ordering and preparation, reflecting a broader trend of technology integration in the food industry.

• Shifting Food Preferences: The report highlights changes in popular delivery items and the rise of global comfort foods, indicating evolving culinary tastes among delivery customers.

• Generational Differences: The findings reveal interesting variations in food ordering behavior and preferences across different generations, offering insights for targeted marketing strategies.

• Impact of Social Media: The survey underscores the significant influence of viral food trends on social media, particularly among younger consumers.

• Growth of Alcohol Delivery and Mindful Drinking: The report notes the increasing trend of alcohol delivery alongside a rising interest in low and non-alcoholic beverages, indicating a shift in drinking habits.

Overview:

DoorDash has released its 2025 Delivery Trends Report, based on a survey of 1,500 Americans, revealing key insights into changing consumer preferences for food and drink delivery, as well as their attitudes towards technology in the food industry. The report indicates that while consumers are open to AI for personalized food recommendations, they remain hesitant about robots preparing their meals. The survey also highlights the continued popularity of French fries, a growing preference for global comfort foods, generational differences in restaurant selection criteria and guilty pleasures, the strong influence of social media on food choices among younger generations, and the increasing trend of alcohol delivery coupled with mindful drinking.

Detailed Findings:

• AI Recommendations: 52% of diners are open to AI personalizing recommendations from restaurants or apps based on past orders.

• Robotic Preparation Skepticism: Only 15% fully trust robots or automated food assembly systems to prepare a restaurant meal; men are twice as comfortable as women with this.

• Craving Satisfaction: 98% of consumers order delivery to satisfy a craving, and 20% are ordering more often than last year.

• Top Restaurant Choice Factors: Menu selection (61%), menu pricing (55%), and recommendations from family and friends (53%) remain the top considerations when choosing a new restaurant for delivery.

• Top Delivery Items: French fries are still No. 1, but garlic naan rose to No. 2, followed by tacos, pad Thai, and miso soup.

• Generational Restaurant Choice Differences: 67% of Boomers prioritize pricing, while Gen Z leans into food photos (46%), social media (27%), and influencer recommendations (20%).

• Social Media Influence: 74% of Gen Zers and 69% of Millennials have ordered a restaurant item after seeing it go viral on social media, but only 40% of those thought it was worth the hype.

• Alcohol Delivery Increase: 42% of survey respondents are ordering alcohol for delivery more often than in 2024.

• Mindful Drinking Trend: 80% of people who ordered alcohol delivery also ordered low- or non-alcoholic drinks in the past six months, more than double the 2024 figures.

• Generational Guilty Pleasures: Gen Z and Millennials favor fast food (especially burgers), Gen X prefers pizza, and Baby Boomers lean towards desserts like cake and ice cream.

Key Takeaway:

The DoorDash survey reveals a nuanced landscape of consumer food delivery preferences, highlighting openness to AI in discovery but caution towards automation in preparation, a shift towards global comfort foods, significant generational variations in drivers and indulgences, the power of social media, and the growing trend of alcohol delivery alongside a focus on mindful consumption.

Main Trend:

• Trend Name: Tech-Enabled, Globally Inspired, Generationally Nuanced Delivery

Description of the trend (please name it):

Tech-Enabled, Globally Inspired, Generationally Nuanced Delivery describes the current evolution of the food delivery market, characterized by a growing acceptance of technology like AI for personalized recommendations, a rising consumer appetite for globally inspired comfort foods, and significant variations in preferences and behaviors across different generations, all shaping how and what consumers order for delivery.

What is consumer motivation (detailed description):

• Seeking Personalized Experiences: Consumers are motivated by the potential for AI to streamline the discovery of new foods and restaurants that align with their tastes and past orders.

• Maintaining Human Connection in Food Preparation: Despite openness to tech, there's a strong desire for the "human touch" in the preparation of their meals, reflecting a value placed on craftsmanship and trust in human culinary skills.

• Satisfying Cravings with Convenience: The fundamental motivation for ordering delivery remains the desire to quickly and easily satisfy food cravings without the hassle of cooking or going out.

• Aligning with Cultural Moments: Younger generations are motivated by the desire to participate in viral food trends and share those experiences on social media.

• Reflecting Lifestyle Choices: The increasing preference for low- and non-alcoholic drinks ordered with delivery reflects a growing emphasis on mindful consumption as part of a broader lifestyle trend.

• Indulging in Comfort and Nostalgia: Generational differences in guilty pleasures highlight how food choices are often tied to comfort, nostalgia, and personal preferences developed over time.

What is driving trend (detailed description):

• Advancements in Artificial Intelligence: The increasing sophistication and integration of AI in online platforms enable personalized recommendations and enhanced user experiences.

• Globalization and Exposure to Diverse Cuisines: Increased travel and exposure to different cultures through media are driving a demand for globally inspired food options.

• Influence of Social Media: Platforms like TikTok and Instagram play a significant role in shaping food trends and driving consumer curiosity.

• Generational Cohort Behaviors: Distinct preferences and habits among different age groups influence the types of food and ordering methods that are popular.

• Growing Emphasis on Health and Wellness: The rise of mindful drinking reflects a broader societal trend towards health-conscious choices.

• Convenience as a Key Value Proposition: The demand for delivery services continues to grow, driven by the desire for convenient and time-saving solutions.

What is motivation beyond the trend (detailed description):

• Discovering New Culinary Experiences: Consumers use delivery platforms to explore different cuisines and try new restaurants without the commitment of dining in.

• Social Connection Through Food: Sharing viral food trends online and discussing them with friends can be a form of social connection and cultural participation.

• Experimentation with Dietary Choices: The availability of alcohol delivery, including low- and non-alcoholic options, allows consumers to experiment with different drink choices.

Description of consumers article is referring to (what is their age?, what is their gender? What is their income? What is their lifestyle):

The DoorDash survey included 1,504 U.S.-based people from a variety of ages, careers, and income levels. The article specifically highlights findings related to:

• Age: The report segments data by generation, including Gen Z (born roughly mid-1990s to early 2010s), Millennials (born roughly 1981 to 1996), Gen X (born roughly 1965 to 1980), and Baby Boomers (born roughly 1946 to 1964).

• Gender: The report notes a difference in comfort levels with robotic chefs between men and women.

• Income: The survey included participants from various income levels, suggesting the findings reflect a broad range of economic backgrounds.

• Lifestyle: The consumers are likely individuals who utilize food delivery services, are active online (especially younger generations), and represent a diverse range of lifestyles, from busy professionals to families and students.

Conclusions:

The DoorDash Delivery Trends Report paints a picture of a dynamic food delivery landscape where technology is increasingly influencing how consumers discover and order food, with a notable appetite for globally inspired cuisines and significant variations in preferences across generations. While consumers appreciate the convenience and personalization potential of AI, there remains a strong preference for human involvement in food preparation, and social media continues to play a powerful role in shaping culinary trends, particularly among younger demographics. Additionally, the growing trend of alcohol delivery is accompanied by a rising interest in mindful drinking.

Implications for brands:

• Restaurants: Should leverage AI to personalize recommendations, consider incorporating popular global comfort foods into their menus, and tailor marketing efforts to different generational preferences, including visual content for Gen Z and value for Boomers.

• Delivery Platforms (like DoorDash): Can further enhance their platforms with AI-driven personalization features, highlight trending global cuisines, and provide better categorization and search options to cater to diverse generational needs.

• Alcohol Brands: Should consider partnerships with delivery platforms to capitalize on the growing trend of alcohol delivery and ensure a variety of low- and non-alcoholic options are available.

Implication for society:

• Increased Convenience and Accessibility of Food: Delivery services continue to make a wide range of cuisines more accessible to consumers.

• Influence of Technology on Eating Habits: AI and social media are increasingly shaping how people discover and choose their food.

• Growing Awareness Around Mindful Consumption: The trend towards low- and non-alcoholic options reflects a broader societal focus on health and well-being.

Implications for consumers:

• More Personalized and Diverse Delivery Options: Expect platforms to offer more tailored recommendations and a wider selection of global cuisines.

• Greater Awareness of Food Trends Through Social Media: Younger consumers will likely continue to be influenced by viral food content.

• More Opportunities for Alcohol Delivery with Mindful Options: Increased availability of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for delivery.

Implication for Future:

• Further Integration of AI in Food Discovery and Ordering: AI is likely to play an even bigger role in personalizing the delivery experience.

• Potential Evolution of Consumer Comfort with Food Automation: While currently low, comfort levels with robotic food preparation may change over time.

• Continued Growth and Diversification of the Global Comfort Food Trend.

Consumer Trend (name, detailed description): The Algorithmically Influenced, Globally Curious Diner - Consumers are increasingly relying on digital platforms and algorithms for food recommendations while also showing a growing interest in exploring global cuisines through delivery services.

Consumer Sub Trend (name, detailed description): The Human Touch Preference in Culinary Craft - Despite the rise of automation, consumers still value and prefer human involvement in the actual preparation and cooking of their restaurant meals.

Big Social Trend (name, detailed description): The Generational Divide in Digital Natives and Culinary Habits - Significant differences exist in how different generations interact with technology and their food preferences, requiring tailored approaches from the industry.

Worldwide Social Trend (name, detailed description): The Global Appetite for Delivered Convenience - The demand for convenient food delivery services continues to grow worldwide, with consumers seeking easy access to a variety of cuisines.

Social Drive (name, detailed description): Seeking Personalized Discovery, Authentic Culinary Experiences, and Effortless Convenience - Consumers are driven by the desire to find new and relevant food options, enjoy authentic flavors from around the world, and access these meals with maximum ease and convenience.

Learnings for brands to use in 2025 (bullets, detailed description):

• AI-powered personalization is becoming expected in food delivery.

• Trust in robotic food preparation is still low for most consumers.

• Global comfort foods are gaining significant popularity.

• Social media heavily influences younger consumers' food choices.

• The demand for alcohol delivery, including mindful options, is growing.

Strategy Recommendations for brands to follow in 2025 (bullets, detail description):

• Invest in AI technology to enhance personalization in their apps and platforms.

• Clearly communicate the human element in their food preparation processes.

• Consider incorporating popular global comfort foods into their menus.

• Develop targeted marketing strategies for different generations, including visually rich content for younger audiences.

• Expand offerings to include a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for delivery.

Final sentence (key concept) describing main trend from article (which is a summary of all trends specified): The DoorDash survey highlights a Tech-Enabled, Globally Inspired, Generationally Nuanced Delivery landscape where AI assists in discovery, global flavors entice, and generational preferences dictate ordering behaviors.

What brands & companies should do in 2025 to benefit from trend and how to do it:

In 2025, brands and companies in the food delivery ecosystem should strategically leverage the Tech-Enabled, Globally Inspired, Generationally Nuanced Delivery trend by:

• Investing in and integrating artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into their platforms and services to offer personalized food and restaurant recommendations based on user history, preferences, and trending data. This can enhance user engagement and drive order volume.

• Actively diversifying their menu offerings to include a wider array of globally inspired comfort foods that are gaining popularity among delivery consumers. This can attract a broader customer base and capitalize on the growing appetite for international cuisines.

• Developing targeted marketing and communication strategies that cater to the specific preferences and behaviors of different generational cohorts, such as emphasizing pricing and value for Boomers, utilizing visually appealing content and social media engagement for Gen Z and Millennials, and highlighting convenience and family-friendly options for Gen X.

Final Note:

• Core Trend: Tech-Enabled, Globally Inspired, Generationally Nuanced Delivery * Detailed Description: Food delivery is increasingly influenced by AI, a preference for global comfort foods, and distinct generational preferences.

• Core Strategy: Personalize, Diversify, and Target Generational Needs * Detailed Description: Brands should use AI for personalization, expand global menu options, and tailor marketing to different generations.

• Core Industry Trend: The Ongoing Digitization and Personalization of the Food Experience * Detailed Description: Technology continues to transform how consumers discover, order, and receive food, with a growing emphasis on personalized experiences.

• Core Consumer Motivation: Seeking Convenient, Relevant, and Satisfying Food Experiences Tailored to Their Preferences and Cravings * Detailed Description: Consumers order delivery for convenience and to satisfy cravings, desiring experiences that are personalized, offer variety, and align with their individual tastes and lifestyle.

• Final Conclusion: The DoorDash Delivery Trends Report for 2025 underscores the dynamic nature of the food delivery market, where technology, evolving culinary tastes, and generational nuances are key factors shaping consumer behavior and presenting significant opportunities for brands that can adapt and innovate accordingly.

Core Trend Detailed (Tech-Enabled, Globally Inspired, Generationally Nuanced Delivery)

• Description: Tech-Enabled, Globally Inspired, Generationally Nuanced Delivery describes the current state and evolution of the food delivery market, where technology, diverse culinary influences, and distinct generational preferences are all playing significant roles in shaping consumer behavior and industry offerings. This trend encompasses the increasing use of AI for personalized recommendations, the growing consumer demand for globally inspired "comfort foods," and the notable variations in ordering habits and preferences observed across different generational cohorts.

• Key Characteristics of the Trend (summary):

  • AI Integration: Growing acceptance of artificial intelligence for personalized food suggestions.

  • Global Comfort Foods: Rising popularity of international cuisines offered for delivery.

  • Generational Divide: Significant differences in ordering habits and preferences among various age groups.

  • Emphasis on Convenience: Delivery remains a key driver, valued for its ease and accessibility.

  • Influence of Social Media: Particularly strong impact of viral trends on younger generations' choices.

• Market and Cultural Signals Supporting the Trend (summary):

  • DoorDash Delivery Trends Report findings highlighting consumer openness to AI recommendations and preference for global comfort foods.

  • Survey data revealing distinct restaurant selection criteria across Boomers and Gen Z.

  • High percentage of Gen Z and Millennials ordering based on social media trends.

  • Increased ordering of alcohol with a focus on low/non-alcoholic options, indicating evolving lifestyle choices.

  • Consistent year-over-year popularity of certain items alongside the rise of new global favorites.

• How the Trend Is Changing Consumer Behavior (summary):

  • Consumers are becoming more reliant on technology for food discovery and recommendations.

  • There's an increased willingness to experiment with and order cuisines from around the world.

  • Food choices are increasingly influenced by social media, particularly for younger demographics.

  • Delivery is becoming integrated into a wider range of occasions and lifestyle choices, including mindful consumption of alcohol.

  • Loyalty and decision-making processes for restaurants can vary significantly based on age.

• Implications Across the Ecosystem (For Brands and CPGs, For Retailers, For Consumers, summary)):

  • For Brands and CPGs: Restaurants need to leverage AI for personalization, diversify menus with global options, and tailor marketing to specific generations (e.g., visual content for Gen Z). Alcohol brands should tap into the growing delivery market with mindful options.

  • For Retailers: Delivery platforms should enhance AI features, promote global cuisines, and provide tools for restaurants to target different generational preferences.

  • For Consumers: Expect more personalized delivery experiences, a wider selection of international foods, and increased awareness of trending items through social media. Generational preferences will continue to shape available options and marketing messages.

• Strategic Forecast: This trend is expected to continue and intensify. AI will likely become even more sophisticated in personalizing food delivery. The appetite for global flavors will grow as consumers become more exposed to diverse cuisines. Generational differences in how food is discovered and ordered will necessitate increasingly targeted strategies from the industry. The convenience of delivery will remain a central factor, driving further innovation in the market.

• Final Thought: The food delivery landscape is becoming increasingly complex and personalized, driven by technological advancements, a globalized palate, and the unique preferences of different generations. Understanding and adapting to this multifaceted trend will be crucial for success in the evolving food service industry.

Source: https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/consumer-trends/consumers-trust-ai-food-recommendations-dont-want-robots-preparing-it-finds