Food delivery apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and SkipTheDishes—a Winnipeg-based homegrown competitor to the US-based services—had already established a foothold before the pandemic. The greater need for delivery last year elevated their influence in food service, even though the fees they charge have raised concerns in the restaurant industry and for regulators.

Consumers are embracing mobile delivery as they get comfortable with mcommerce, and quick service restaurants are seizing the opportunity.

Brands have sought after millennials since the segment was identified as a demographic phenomenon reminiscent of the boomers. There’s been heavy investment in the creation of products and services that fit within an evolving consumer culture, one increasingly defined by this influential cohort. Growing independence and earning make this group the most digitally connected of all.

Ipsos tracking of the food service sector includes delivery (including the food delivery apps and delivery run by FSRs and QSRs, like pizza delivery), takeout, drive-thru, and dine-in.

Restaurants Canada. Triton Digital. TVO.

Other service sector categories to be affected by dropped spending include fitness and wellness (67%), pet care (51%) and quick-service restaurants (55%). Quick-service drive-thrus were being used more frequently by 19% of the McKinsey respondents.

We spoke with Lone Thomsen, who was recently appointed global CMO of The Meatless Farm Co. The former head of media and communications at The Coca-Cola Co. discusses the brand's new partnership, its US market expansion and why plant-based diets are becoming so trendy.

Location data has become a valuable resource for restaurants looking to target potential customers in specific areas. This data can provide analytics and attribution for marketing strategies, with opportunities to drive performance on a more granular level, including specific times where restaurant traffic is at a lull.