Are you terrified of turkey? Sick of making soufflés? Well, you’re not the only one!
While home delivery of restaurant food is nothing new, what is new is the latest trend during the holiday season.
This Thanksgiving, more people than ever are using food delivery service DoorDash to bring their favorite foods and precooked meals home.
Whereas most people associate the holidays with laborious and elaborate meals over several courses, there has been a backlash in recent years, especially among young working professionals.
Katie, a 25 year-old who works in the marketing industry, lives near her family in Los Angeles, and though she plans on spending Thanksgiving with her family, she just can’t envision eating turkey for the entire 4-day weekend. “I can handle one day of Thanksgiving food, but the rest of my days I prefer to eat at home and catch up on my reading and relaxing, so I’ll be using DoorDash most likely. I normally don’t eat out and make most of my meals but during the holidays I really don’t want to cook, just take it easy.”
In the mood for Asian? Try one of the many offerings
The idea of taking it easy during the holidays traditionally associated with making big meals is catching steam recently. Not only is it becoming popular among young professionals, but also with working parents. David is a 38 year-old real estate broker and father of three whose partner works in IT. “We both work a lot of hours both at our jobs and taking care of the kids, so we have Thanksgiving at my in-laws’ and then the rest of the long weekend we order in.”
Even atypical consumers are taking advantage of the offerings of delivery services. Mary, 72 and retired, says her son tipped her off about deliveries. “I used to go to the Cheescake Factory on weekends, but it’s become so crowded that I started avoiding it. Since my son showed me how to use DoorDash I’ve been able to have my favorite meals brought here.”
Kabob over here!
Mary indicates another trend, DoorDash parties: “A few friends of mine come over on the weekend sometimes and we just order something because it’s so convenient, and we save on driving and parking.”
Despite their growing popularity, many of these services have stirred controversy over their payment to couriers and the opaqueness of their practices.
However, DoorDash has acted to dispel worries by committing itself to raising pay and increasing transparency.
One thing remains clear: food delivery apps are transforming the meaning of “eating out.”
Don’t forget dessert!
