According to industry data referenced by Restaurant Times , the average restaurant kitchen has become increasingly efficient due to automation, pre-prep systems, and optimised workflows. Many quick-service and fast-casual restaurants now complete orders in 15–25 minutes, even during peak hours.

The real slowdown happens after the food leaves the kitchen. Research and logistics analysis from Powerdril, a data intelligence platform focused on operational efficiency, shows that last-mile delivery is the most unpredictable and expensive segment of the supply chain.

Traffic congestion, rider availability, batching algorithms, and weather conditions all add friction, often pushing delivery times well past the cooking window.

This delivery gap is becoming more pronounced as food delivery demand continues to surge globally. The trend accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic and never fully reversed. Today, even as dine-in traffic returns, delivery orders remain structurally higher than pre-2020 levels.

In major cities like London, New York, Lagos, and Mumbai, policymakers are debating congestion charges, gig-worker protections, and fuel price volatility, all factors that directly affect delivery speed and cost. Recent reporting on rising oil prices and urban congestion shows how delivery platforms are being squeezed from multiple sides.

Related coverage on global transport and fuel pressures:https://www.reuters.com/ world /global-energy-prices-transport-costs/

Why this matters for restaurants and consumers

For restaurants, longer delivery times increase the risk of poor food quality, customer complaints, and platform penalties. For consumers, it means higher fees, longer waits, and declining trust in delivery promises.

And for delivery platforms, it raises a strategic question: how much efficiency can still be extracted from the last mile?

Powerdril’s logistics modelling suggests that incremental improvements, such as smarter rider dispatch, micro-fulfilment hubs, and AI-driven route optimisation, can reduce delivery times by 10–20%, but only with significant infrastructure investment.