Consumer orders for spicy chicken sandwiches increased by almost 300% in the first half of 2020, according to the “State of the Plate” report from food-delivery company Grubhub.
“In 2019 we were introduced to the chicken sandwich war, and in 2020 it raged on as chain and independent restaurants added the sandwich to their menus for diners to enjoy,” the report said.
Sales of premium chicken sandwiches saw a big jump in 2019 as a result of the chicken sandwich wars, a viral battle between Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and Chick-fil-A.
Interest in chicken sandwiches should remain strong through at least Spring 2021, the report predicted. The mid-year report shared the most popular food and beverage trends across the half a million orders placed with the company from January 1 to June 30 compared to the same timeframe in 2019.
Vegan and plant-based remain popular
In addition, vegan and plant-based options remained popular with consumers. This trend was first seen in the company’s 2019 report. Black bean, grilled portobello, quinoa-based, eggplant and the Impossible burger were the most popular vegetarian burger options.
“So far this year, vegan orders have risen by 23%, plant-based burgers specifically increasing by 90% and general plant-based orders by a whopping 135%,” the report noted
Delivery sales surge during COVID-19
During the first half of 2020, most of the U.S. was under either shelter-in-place or quarantine mandates, leaving delivery and takeout as the only options to get a restaurant meal.
Interest in Grubhub and other delivery apps surged as a result. The industry saw more than $350 million sales in May, according to analytics firm Second Measure. Grubhub received more than half a million orders a day during the six-month time period.
Off-premises dining was already becoming increasingly popular before the pandemic, accounting for 27% of restaurant industry sales in 2018. Delivery apps offers convenience and ease to consumers. Investment bank UBS estimated in December 2019 that worldwide delivery sales could be valued at $365 billion by the year 2030.
View our continuing coverage of the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.
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