Restaurant Delivery Trends in 2025: What Irish Restaurants Need to Know

The Delivery Boom

Food delivery is booming, both globally and here in Ireland. It's not just a phase - demand is still high and growing. The market size is potentially exceeding €2.5 billion by 2025, with the average household ordering nearly three times a month, spending approximately €46.70 on each order.

As more people plan to continue ordering online frequently, this means delivery has become a fundamental revenue stream for restaurants.

Key Trends Shaping the Restaurant Delivery Industry in 2025

Rising Demand for Convenience and Sustainability in Food Delivery

So, what’s driving this demand? Unsurprisingly, convenience is king. According to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), up to 80% of Irish consumers cite convenience as their top reason for ordering takeout online. Life is busy, and sometimes clicking a few buttons is just easier.

Just Eat’s report also finds 54% of Irish takeaway orders are for two or more people, and 37% of orders are for an entire family. This suggests restaurants can cater to group or family-sized meal bundles.

Beyond ease, sustainability is increasingly important. 65% of Irish diners say they value transparency on restaurants’ environmental practices, highlighting that your green efforts on packaging can be a plus.

Tech Is Helping Restaurants Take Back Control of Delivery

Technology is changing how delivery works. Big delivery apps like Just Eat, Deliveroo, etc, made it easy for customers to find you, but many restaurants are finding the high commission fees and lack of control over the customer experience challenging.

As a result, more restaurants are setting up their own ways for customers to order directly through their website or app, often using systems like Flipdish. Customers seem to like it too – studies show 3.5 times more customers prefer ordering directly from a restaurant.

Taking control of your orders: Direct channels often mean better margins and customer relationships.

These tech improvements are also becoming the standard:

• Better route planning for drivers,
• Real-time delivery tracking for customers
• POS systems that connect everything – your in-store, online, and delivery orders.

As a restaurant owner, these functions help you to understand your customers better, spot busy times, and run things more smoothly. And here’s where it gets a bit controversial: not using this tech puts you at a disadvantage. In today’s market, tech isn’t a bonus feature; it’s part of the core toolkit for delivering great customer experiences and staying competitive.

Smarter Delivery Operations Are on the Rise

Prioritizing Reliable Drivers 

Having a great online menu isn't enough when the delivery itself falls short. Reliable delivery drivers are crucial. In fact, Gigable research found 75% of restaurant owners see driver reliability as their top delivery concern. 

That’s because your driver isn’t just a courier - they’re often the final touchpoint with the customer, making their professionalism a direct reflection of your brand.

Bringing All Drivers Under One Roof

Many restaurants use a mix of their own drivers and third-party services. However, managing this mix, ensuring compliance, and handling payments can be complex. This is where platforms designed for managing flexible workforces, like Gigable, can help.

Offering you access to a network of verified, independent drivers when you need them, allowing you to scale up for busy periods without the overhead of hiring more full-time staff, all in one platform.

More restaurants are prioritising simplicity in managing mixed delivery teams.

Making Payments and Compliance Simple

Crucially, having payment and compliance processes built into one system helps simplify the complexities of working with contractors. When invoicing, payouts, and record-keeping are automated and audit-ready, it ensures everyone gets paid accurately and on time, while keeping your business compliant. That means less admin for you and more time to focus on running your restaurant.

Exploring Growth Opportunities

So, knowing these trends - the demand for convenience, the tech shifts, and the importance of reliable, compliant staffing - how can you specifically leverage them for growth in the Irish market? It comes down to focusing on smart operations and playing to local strengths.

Make Your Online Ordering Easy and Appealing

For restaurants here in Ireland, adapting to these trends means focusing on a few key areas. With everyone using smartphones, having a smooth online ordering process is essential. Make sure your menu looks great online, with clear descriptions and tempting photos, and that it works perfectly on mobile phones.

Stand Out by Highlighting Your Local Charm

Think about what makes your restaurant unique. Irish customers often appreciate supporting local businesses. Highlighting your local roots or unique offerings can help you stand out. You could even explore reaching new customers in different areas through partnerships or delivery-only setups, leveraging the appeal of authentic, local food.

Showcase your unique offerings and local charm online to attract your customers.

Prioritise Safety and Show You Care About the Planet

Don’t forget the practicalities. Staying on top of food safety guidelines for delivery is crucial for maintaining customer trust. And as customers increasingly care about the environment, showcasing your efforts, like using eco-friendly packaging or reducing waste, can build a positive brand image. Remember, over half of Irish diners want information on sustainability. 

Advice from the Experts: Tips from Gigable’s CEO, John Ryan

He advises restaurants to aim for a smart mix. Use third-party apps where they make sense for reaching new customers, but focus on building your own direct ordering channels to keep more control and profit.

He stresses that managing your delivery operation effectively is key. "Reliable and courteous delivery drivers are as important to a delivery operation as waiters are to dine-in. Success comes from treating delivery as a vital part of your brand.” Ryan notes.

Wrapping Up: Succeeding in the Delivery Era

So what are the key takeaways? Delivery is no longer just an add-on; it's central to the restaurant business in 2025. By embracing the right technology, understanding what your customers value (like convenience and sustainability), and managing your delivery operations smartly, especially your drivers and compliance, your restaurant can navigate these trends successfully.

Investing in reliable delivery partners and tools that offer flexibility and control, like those provided by Gigable for managing your delivery workforce and automating compliance, will be key to protecting your profits and keeping customers happy. The delivery landscape keeps evolving, but restaurants that adapt proactively are well-positioned to thrive.