16-04-2025
From Trend to Transformation: Off-Premises Dining Now Essential for Restaurant Consumers, Operators
2025 Off-Premises Restaurant Trends report shows how takeout, drive-thru and delivery are driving growth, innovation, and consumer loyalty
WASHINGTON, April 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 75% of all restaurant traffic now happens off-premises—meaning that almost 3 out of 4 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.'
Who's Driving Demand – and Where
Gen Z and millennials are leading the way: Two-thirds say takeout is essential to their lifestyle, and nearly 6 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.
What Customers Want & How Operators Can Deliver
Consumers want speed, ease of use and rewarding experiences. 94% of all consumers say speed is critical, with over 9 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:
With off-premises already accounting for most of the traffic, it's not just a trend—it's a critical pathway for operators to drive growth, meet evolving expectations and stay competitive.
Click here to download the 2025 Off-Premises Restaurant Trends report.
About the National Restaurant Association
Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which comprises more than 1 million restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of more than 15.7 million employees. Together with 52 State Associations, we are a network of professional organizations dedicated to serving every restaurant through advocacy, education, and food safety. We sponsor the industry's largest trade show ( National Restaurant Association Show ); leading food safety training and certification program ( ServSafe ); unique career-building high school program ( the NRAEF's ProStart ). For more information, visit and find WeRRestaurants on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
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SOURCE National Restaurant Association
