MILLIONS OF BRITS NOW HAVE A WEEKLY TAKEAWAY – AS THEY TRY TO MAKE THEIR EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS MORE EXCITING

Julie Daniels, head of rewards at comparethemarket.com, which commissioned the research following the expansion of its takeaway and delivery customer reward, said:

“During the past year, with so many activities restricted, getting a takeaway has been a high point for many of us – and we are spending more than ever on them as a result.

“Our results clearly show that takeaways are all about comfort and familiarity. They can offer something to look forward to and add some variety to the week.

‘’Whether that is playing it safe with a tried and tested favourite, or trying out something new, Meerkat Meals aims to bring extra joy to mealtimes for our customers.’’

Before the pandemic, the average adult would order an average of 24 takeaways a year – around once every two weeks – spending more than £550.

The study also found Chinese (25 per cent) was the most popular takeaway, followed by Indian (20 per cent) and pizza (18 per cent).

But nearly eight in 10 admitted they stay within their comfort zones and stick to their ‘usual’ dishes when they’re deciding on their order.

With 52 per cent ordering Indian dishes, chicken tikka masala was rated as the safest meal to order, while fish and chips was seen as the least risky of all takeaways.

Three in 10 don’t want to risk spending money on something they might not like – while 21 per cent are simply ‘afraid of change’.

More than a tenth feel ‘crushed’ when they do branch out from their usual order with negative results, while 14 per cent get genuinely upset by it.

For another one in 10, if they regretted their dinner decision, they’d put it right the very next day by ordering a different one.

It also emerged three quarters of those polled are also takeaway-loyal - ordering from the same restaurant time after time.

Julie Daniels added: ‘’To meet the nation’s demand for great takeaway food, we at comparethemarket.com have expanded our Meerkat Meals reward to give our customers even more choice.

‘’In addition to 50 per cent off pizzas at Papa John's and Pizza Hut delivery, we’ve added over 1,000 local takeaways to our Meerkat app. Customers can now enjoy a minimum 10% discount, or more, off all delivery and collection orders, seven days a week.’’ 

ENDS

About comparethemarket.com

comparethemarket.com was launched in 2006 and has grown rapidly over the past 15 years to become one of the UK’s leading price comparison websites.

comparethemarket.com provides customers with an easy way to make the right choice for them on a wide range of products including motor, home, life, travel and pet insurance as well as utilities and money products such as credit cards and loans.

comparethemarket.com actively works with its brand partners to help provide great services to customers.

comparethemarket.com and comparethemeerkat.com are trading names of Compare The Market Limited, an insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Reference Number 778488) and is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority for the provision of payment services (FRN: 911617). Energy and Digital products are not regulated by the FCA.

Meerkat Meals Takeaway T&Cs:

With a Qualifying Product. 1 membership per year. App only. Participating outlets. Specific offer, delivery fees & radius vary by outlet. Card only. T&Cs apply.