If you feel like everyone around you is ordering food more often, you’re not imagining it. It’s not just your friend circle, and it’s not just India. The shift from "cooking at home" to "ordering in" is a global phenomenon that has reshaped how we eat and spend money.
But how does your Zomato habit compare to someone ordering UberEats in New York or Deliveroo in London? Let’s break down the numbers and see what they tell us about our changing lifestyles.
The Global Surge
In the US, the average household spends about $4,000 (approx. ₹3.3 Lakhs) annually on food away from home. A significant chunk of this is now delivery. In the UK, the average person spends around £450 a year just on takeaways. These numbers are huge, but they match the higher cost of living there.
In India, the numbers tell a different story. While the absolute amount is lower—active users might spend ₹15,000 to ₹50,000 a year—the percentage of income is often much higher. For a young professional earning ₹30,000 a month, spending ₹5,000 on delivery is nearly 17% of their income. That’s a massive slice of the financial pie.
Why We Are ordering More
Across the globe, the drivers are the same:
- Time Poverty: We are working longer hours. In Mumbai or Bangalore, traffic eats up the time we used to spend cooking. In Tokyo or New York, it’s the long corporate shifts.
- The "Treat" Culture: Food delivery is marketed as a reward. "You survived Monday? You deserve a pizza." This emotional connection to food is universal.
- Platform Addiction: Apps are designed to be addictive. Gamified loyalty programs (like Zomato Gold or Uber One) make you feel like you’re "losing money" if you don’t order.
The "Latte Factor" of Delivery
Financial experts often talk about the "Latte Factor"—how small daily coffees wreck your budget. In India, it’s the "Biryani Factor." A single order of ₹350 feels fine. But do it three times a week, and you’re spending ₹55,000 a year. In purchasing power parity (PPP) terms, that’s equivalent to a US citizen spending several thousand dollars.
It’s important to contextualize this. In the West, delivery fees alone can be $5-$10 (₹400-₹800). In India, we often complain about a ₹40 delivery fee. This low barrier to entry makes it easier for us to order more frequently, leading to a higher volume of small transactions that add up quietly.
Regaining Control
Knowing that this is a global trend doesn't help your personal bank balance. The key is awareness. You don't have to stop ordering, but you should know the cost.
Use tools like our Zomato Spending Calculator to see your personal "Biryani Factor." Are you spending 5% of your income on delivery, or 15%? Keeping it under 5% is a healthy benchmark for most budgets.
Conclusion
Whether you’re in Delhi or Dallas, the convenience of food delivery is here to stay. The challenge is to enjoy it without letting it consume your financial future. Be a conscious consumer, not just a consumer.