It’s no secret that the largest age demographic in the United States continues to take the country by storm. With the majority of Generation Y having already flooded the workforce, the group notorious for pushing the envelope is changing the business landscape one day at a time – challenging even the most powerful corporate leaders in America to rethink the way they hire, lead, and maintain employee satisfaction. And, perhaps to the dismay of older generations, the tides of evolving trends fueled by millennial behavior only continue to shift.  

Many wonder where they’ll lead society next – will it be towards mass adoption of e-gaming? Will we see them sustain their self-made careers on Instagram? It’s safe to say any trend involving millennials in this digital age will gain traction, but, like all trends, can they sustain themselves?

At Chank’s, we feel confident millennials will leave a permanent footprint on a specific industry where age is not a factor: food delivery

Pair an influential cohort of close to 85 billion with the notion that many businesses in the food industry need to leverage new technology in order to set themselves apart from competitors, and there’s simply no doubt that big changes are about to be made when it comes to food delivery.

Thinking back to 2009, we would all agree that food delivery options did not extend past the nearest Papa John’s or China Wok. Fast forward 10 years, and ordering your next meal straight from your iPhone has become normal. In fact, the percentage of online orders has nearly doubled in the last five years alone. And with 86% of consumers tapping into their food delivery app at least once a month, it’s up to the restaurant industry to not only keep up, but stay ahead.  

Our team at Chank’s put our cones together to take bets on trends we anticipate evolving over time, and how the restaurant industry will work to satisfy millennials before their next craving even develops. 

1.) The “e-customer service” game

According to RubyGarage, 63% of Americans cancel digital takeout orders if their customer experience isn’t up to snuff. The responsibility rests in the hands of business owners to provide a quick, unique, and seamless ordering experience to set themselves apart. This might be with their messaging, their speed or even their technology. Whatever it is, they’re in a critical window of time to develop the next best thing.

2.) Delivery models

It’s entirely possible that all of our meals – whether it be restaurant takeout or grocery produce – will be delivered to our doorsteps in the near future. In fact, we’re not far off from this becoming the norm. Businesses like Hello Fresh, Blue Apron and Home Chef are making their way into the market, and grocery stores around the country might feel the pressure to evolve with delivery services of their own.

3.) Shift in consumer buying behavior

With companies like Amazon being the driving force behind the way we make purchases, everything seems to be happening online, right on our phones. We’d be willing to bet that it won’t stop there. Consumers will be looking for the next source of convenience, especially when it comes to food.

While these predictions are still in the air, we expect them to hit land sooner rather than later. Stay tuned as we closely follow the evolution of food delivery to see what happens next.

We want to hear from you! What’s your take on the evolution of food delivery business and where it will take us next? Chat with us in the comment section below.

Chank’s currently manufactures and sells pizza cones exclusively in non-traditional locations, including stadiums, Universities, convention centers, etc. For direct purchase, we have a food truck in the Greater Philadelphia area that caters private events and vends festivals. Stay on the lookout for direct, online ordering in the near future.