He Orders, She Orders: GrubHub Data Challenges Gender Stereotypes

CHICAGO, Sept. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Differences in male and female brains have been identified from the earliest stages of human development. And new data from GrubHub Inc., the nation's leading online and mobile food-ordering service, shows that gender differences in takeout orders arise at a behavioral level, including day, time, location and specific food categories.

An analysis of a year's worth of pick-up and delivery orders from GrubHub's network of more than 30,000 restaurants in 700 U.S. cities found that while men and women share the most frequently ordered menu items (such as pizza, fries, salad and soup), they differ in their ordering habits, including when and where they order.

• Late-Night Orders: Men are nearly 55 percent more likely to order during late-night hours (10 p.m. – 2 a.m.) than women.
• Office Orders: Women are nearly 30 percent more likely to order food to work than men.
• Breakfast Orders: Women are 15 percent more likely to order during breakfast hours (8 – 11 a.m.) than men.
• Pickup Orders: Men are 6 percent more likely to place pickup orders than women.
• Weekend Orders: Women are nearly 7 percent more likely than men to order on a Friday, but men are nearly 6 percent more likely to place an order on a Sunday than women.

As for specific cuisines, men tend to favor American dishes (a cuisine that's more than 15 percent more commonly ordered by men), while women are more likely to order Asian dishes (including Japanese fare, which is more than 21 percent more commonly ordered by women).

What's more, an NPD Group Foodservice market research report finds that while a growing number of restaurants offer healthier menu items and are becoming increasingly transparent about calories and other nutritional information, consumers continue to crave traditional favorites.¹ The GrubHub analysis reveals evidence of this is on the plates of men.

Menu Items More Likely Ordered by Men

1. 2-Liter Soda – nearly 54 percent more commonly ordered by men
2. Boneless Wings – nearly 54 percent more commonly ordered by men
3. Chicken Parmesan – more than 53 percent more commonly ordered by men
4. General Tso's Chicken – more than 51 percent more commonly ordered by men
5. Bacon Cheeseburger – more than 45 percent more commonly ordered by men

Menu Items More Likely Ordered by Women:

1. Seaweed Salad – nearly 63 percent more commonly ordered by women
2. Edamame – nearly 60 percent more commonly ordered by women
3. Avocado Rolls – nearly 57 percent more commonly ordered by women
4. House Salad – nearly 53 percent more commonly ordered by women
5. Shrimp Tempura Roll – nearly 51 percent more commonly ordered by women

In addition to the foods more commonly ordered, GrubHub data shows that the sexes' choices of in-vogue foods also differ. While food fads may not persist, clear preferences exist between men and women, which supports the notion that women are more likely than men to say that healthy food sections on restaurant menus matter.² 

Food Fads More Popular with Men:

1. Bacon – nearly 35 percent more commonly ordered by men
2. Poutine – nearly 30 percent more commonly ordered by men
3. Sriracha – nearly 17 percent more commonly ordered by men
4. Biscuit – more than 13 percent more commonly ordered by men
5. Fried Chicken – more than 7 percent more commonly ordered by men

Food Fads More Popular with Women:

1. Chia Seeds – nearly 74 percent more commonly ordered by women
2. Pressed Juice – nearly 74 percent more commonly ordered by women
3. Cupcakes – more than 73 percent more commonly ordered by women
4. Frozen Yogurt – more than 65 percent more commonly ordered by women
5. Beets – nearly 63 percent more commonly ordered by women

"Our gender analysis helps us better understand the inclinations and motivations of men and women, as well as how those inclinations factor into takeout ordering decisions," said GrubHub President Jonathan Zabusky. "GrubHub data, including customer order profiles and preferences, can help our restaurant partners make best use of their menus and direct diners to the foods they are most likely to enjoy."

For additional data on ordering habits by gender, including typical male vs. female profiles, food preferences and top orders, among others, please visit: http://media.grubhub.com/media/White-Papers/.

To find takeout restaurants available in your area, please visit GrubHub.com, and for more information on GrubHub Inc., please visit http://media.grubhub.com.

About GrubHub Inc.
GrubHub Inc. is the nation's leading online and mobile food-ordering company dedicated to connecting hungry diners with local takeout restaurants. The GrubHub Inc. portfolio of brands includes GrubHub, Seamless, MenuPages and Allmenus. The Company's online and mobile ordering platforms allow diners to order directly from more than 30,000 takeout restaurants in more than 700 U.S. cities and London, and every order is supported by the Company's 24/7 customer service. GrubHub Inc. has offices in Chicago, New York City and London.

¹ NPD Group. (2013). Consumers Make Healthy Choices at Restaurants by Cutting Out or Down, Reports NPD.  [Press release]. Retrieved from https://www.npd.com/wps/portal/npd/us/news/press-releases/consumers-make-healthy-choices-at-restaurants-by-cutting-out-or-down-reports-npd/)

² Mintel Group Ltd. (2014). Dining Out: The Restaurant Decision-Making Process – US, July 2014

SOURCE GrubHub Inc.