Data Roundup: On-Premise Spending Reaches Pre-COVID Levels for 77% of Consumers; A Third of Restaurant Orders Online in 2020

CGA: 77% of Consumers Spending Same or More On-Premise Than Pre-COVID-19

Seventy-seven percent of consumers are spending the same or more than they did pre-COVID-19, according to the latest CGA on-premise report spanning June 4-7.

Of the more than 1,600 consumers surveyed throughout Florida, Texas, California, and New York, 73% visited on-premise establishments for food-led occasions in the past two weeks, while 35% visited for drink-led occasions. Soft drinks and beer top what consumers are drinking, with half of consumers only choosing brands they are familiar with and trust. 49% said they choose drinks from the same category as they have always chosen.

Spirits make up the top 7 of premium drinks purchased on-premise, with three out of five consumers purchasing premium drinks. 73% of consumers purchased value drinks or brands, with ready-to-drinks (RTDs) and low or non-alcoholic drinks topping the category.

Of the consumers surveyed, three in four are planning to visit on-premise establishments in the next two weeks to eat, while two in five plan to do so to drink. Consumers 55+ are the leading demographic of consumers attending food-led occasions, while those under 55 return for drink-led occasions.

Takeout orders remained steady, with three in five planning to order takeaway food in the next two weeks. 15% said they would order takeout with alcohol.

BeerBoard: On-Premise Volume and Rate of Sale Continue to Grow

While on-premise open rates, average taps, and taps pouring remained relatively unchanged, volume and rate of sale saw continued growth in the June 3-6 report from BeerBoard, the food and beverage technology company.

On-premise volume grew +1.6% compared to the previous weekend, which included the Memorial Day holiday. South Carolina performed the best of the observed states, with volume growth of +15.5%, followed by Georgia (+11.9%), Florida (+7.5%) and Tennessee (6.8%). New York was the only state to record a significant loss in volume (-12%).

Despite the growth, volume is still down significantly compared to 2019. Minnesota (-60%) and Illinois (-52%) posted the highest percentage change compared to the same weekend in 2019. All other observed states were down a minimum of -30% compared to 2019, with the exception of Nevada (-28%).

Rate of sale also increased last weekend, +1.9 nationally. South Carolina (+12.9%) again led in growth, followed by Tennessee (+8.7%), Georgia (+5.6%) and Florida (+5.3%). Illinois (-5.6%) Minnesota (-4.1%), Michigan (-1.3%) and New York (-0.6%) each recorded negative growth in the category compared to the Memorial Day weekend.

Unlike volume, on-premise rate of sale is looking up compared to 2019. South Carolina (+122.1%) and Georgia (+101.5%) posted the largest growth year-over-year. Only two states — Nevada (-20.9%) and Minnesota (-14.0%) — declined.

The average number of taps per location stayed at 19 for the second week in a row. Illinois added three taps (+20%), Nevada added one (+4.8%), and South Carolina dropped one (-6.3%). The rest of the states remained unchanged from the weekend before. In the same weekend in 2019, the average number of taps per location was 38.

Finally, volume and tap share remained relatively unchanged compared to the past two weekends. Domestic beer leads volume share at 49.9%, down -0.1% from the week before, followed by craft (33.4%, -0.4%) and imports (16.7%, +0.5%). Craft leads tap share (57.6%), followed by domestic (26.7%) and import (15.7%).

The top five styles remained unchanged (in order): light lager, lagers, IPA, Belgian wit/white ale, and wheat/hefeweizen.

Paytronix: One-Third of All Restaurant Orders During Pandemic were Made Online

Digital orders represented nearly one-third of all restaurant orders during the pandemic, a 10% increase compared to 2019, according to Paytronix’s 2021 order and delivery report.

65% of digital restaurant orders came from first-time guests during the pandemic, according to data from Boston Consulting Group.

25% of online orders placed in 2020 were for delivery. 44% of orders reported by restaurants using their own couriers were for delivery, while only 12% of orders at establishments using third-party delivery platforms were for delivery. When using these third-party apps, 32% of consumers spent more on orders than takeout patrons did pre-pandemic, up from 10% in 2019.

Delivery customers ordering directly from restaurants spent 21% more in 2020 than customers ordering takeout/pick-up, except for in the spring, when takeout orders surged.

Beer Institute: April 2021 Imports Up +27% Over 2020, +6.5% YTD

Total imports were up +27% in April 2021 compared to the same month last year, according to the Beer Institute’s (BI) Import-Export Report.

Total imports for Mexico were up +39.5% for the month, and +8.65 year-to-date (YTD) compared to 2020.

In the Netherlands, total imports declined -8.9% for the month and are down 3.2% year-to-date.

When comparing packaging, draft increased +123.94% for the month, followed by cans (+48.2%) and bottles (+13.9%). Cans (+22.41%) and bottles (+2.67%) were also up year-to-date, while draft is down -29.9% year-to-date.

CGA: Mobile Sports Betting Leads to Increased On-Premise Drink Consumption

Mobile sports betting is linked to increased on-premise drink consumption in a recent consumer research report from market research firm CGA.

70% of consumers surveyed said they’d order more drinks from bars and restaurants if they were watching a game they placed a bet on. Additionally, 71% of respondents said mobile sports betting would keep them at establishments longer.

Illinois, which legalized mobile sports betting in June 2020, gives a look at the potential for sports betting to help with increased sales at restaurants and bars. 22% of consumers in Illinois have participated in mobile sports betting while at a bar or restaurant. 61% of sports bettors in the state have placed bets at sports bars, and 41% have at neighborhood bars.

In New York, where sports betting legislation is currently in the works, 42% or consumers said they’d bet on sports while out at bars and restaurants.

“Operators must offer consumers value they cannot replicate at home in order to become a sports betting destination,” Alexandra Martin, CGA’s operator and analytics director, said in a release. “A predictable schedule of televised games available along with compelling food and drink offers can help bars build sustainable incremental revenue.”

Football is the most popular sport for betting with 62% of bettors participating, followed by college basketball (44%) and baseball (40%).