Bracket Bites: Unveiling Our First-Ever Snacking Trends Report

A good snack pairs well with every activity — whether working from home, watching the game with friends, or preparing for an intense workout — 96% of Americans have reached for a snack recently*. And while many of us are spending more time at home than ever our eating behaviors are changing rapidly–we’ve seen food provide a familiar, more frequent comfort during a time filled with many unknowns.

Today DoorDash unveiled its Bracket Bites report, detailing top snacking trends from the past year, trending snack habits and items, and more. Leveraging DoorDash’s convenience order data from March 2020 through March 2021 and a national general population survey** of 1,000 Americans, we bring you our first-ever Bracket Bites report.

“At DoorDash we are always looking for innovative ways to utilize our data to better serve our customers.” said Jessica Lachs, VP of Analytics at DoorDash. “Over the past year we’ve seen consumer snacking behavior evolve as people settled into new routines at home, discovering new snacking and convenience moments and experiences, big and small. This report demonstrates not only the behavior we’re seeing, but reinforces the breadth of items and experiences uniquely available through DoorDash.”

From April 3–5, basketball fans and snack lovers alike can score $5*** off snack items exclusively via DashMart. Additionally, customers can check out the Bracket Bites carousel in-app for game-time deals from their favorite local and national restaurants. Happy snacking!

The DoorDash Customer When Snacking:

• The 3S’s — Spicy, Sugary, and Salty: As Americans settled into the six-month mark of WFH, we saw an increase in snack items ordered. Tortilla Chips, Fruit Snacks, Peanut Butter Cups, Donuts, Gummy Worms, and Sour Cream Potato Chips were amongst the most ordered items on DoorDash. Top snacks on the rise include hot chili pepper and lime tortilla chips (1538% increase), fruit snacks (401% increase), peanut butter cups (313% increase), and powdered donuts (109% increase)
• What time is it? Snacking time. 56% of Americans report enjoying a “second dinner” by partaking in a late-night snack. 8pm local time reigns supreme as the most popular time for snacking nationwide, with the exception of those on the east coast who opt to snack an hour later at 9pm.
• $655 — The largest amount spent on a single convenience order on our platform this past year included 35 veggie, sausage, and bacon breakfast pizzas! Yum!
• The Highs and Lows of Snacking: Emotions play a prominent role in consumer snack habits, with the majority of respondents (30%) saying they grab a snack when happy or excited, followed by 28% who snack when sad or frustrated.
• Snacks vs. Meals: In the battle between snacking or having a full meal, snacking wins out, with 71% of Americans saying they have a snack in place of a meal at least once a week. The meal most likely to be replaced? Lunch, which 54% of respondents opt to replace with a snack.
• Multitasking and Snacking Go Hand in Hand: Americans get creative when it comes to snacking, often partaking in a snack when multitasking on the phone (47%), in a work meeting (23%), getting dressed for the day (15%) and even while using the bathroom. (16%)

Which cities are in this year’s Snack Bracket? Top 10 Cities with the highest Snackage (in order of highest snack orders):

1. Philadelphia
2. Chicago
3. Los Angeles
4. Sacramento
5. Denver
6. Dallas
7. Columbus
8. Tempe, AZ
9. Richmond
10. San Diego

The DoorDash Customer by Occasion: Different Moments Call for Different Snacks

We took a look at a few top cultural moments to see how Americans were snacking. Here’s the Top Eight of each:

March Madness Tipoff (3.18.21)

1. Spicy Potato Chips
2. Glazed Donut
3. Buffalo Chicken Bites
4. Watermelon Slices
5. Juice Box
6. Bacon Breakfast pizza
7. Powdered Donuts
8. Potato Cheese Bites

Election Day (11.3.20)

1. Plain Bagel
2. Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips
3. Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
4. Sour Candy Strips
5. Cheese Crackers
6. Pineapple Soda
7. Apple Slices and Peanut Butter
8. Chocolate Covered Almonds

Big Game LV

1. Blue Raspberry Slushie
2. Chocolate Bar
3. Cheddar and Sour Cream Potato Chips
4. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream
5. Soft Pretzel
6. Fruit Snacks
7. Energy Drink
8. Mini Tacos

New Year’s Eve

1. Limeade
2. Hot Chili Pepper & Lime Tortilla Chips
3. Brownies
4. Caramel Candy Bar
5. Sour Gummy Worms
6. Cookies and Cream Ice Cream
7. Pepperoni Pizza Bites
8. Potato Wedges

Oprah Interview with Meghan and Harry 3.7.21)

1. Chocolate Chip Cookies
2. Cheddar and Sour Cream Potato Chips
3. Cookies and Cream Milkshake
4. Brownies
5. Crispy Rice Treats
6. White Cheddar Popcorn
7. Apple juice
8. BBQ Potato Chips

Fourth of July:

1. Watermelon Gummy Worms
2. Potato Cheese Bites
3. Popcorn
4. Beef Jerky
5. Mini Chocolate Donuts
6. Jalapeno Kettle Chips
7. Apple Slices
8. Salted Caramel Ice Cream

Grammys

1. Cherry Slushy
2. Chocolate Chip Cookies
3. Jalapeno and Cheese Taquito
4. King Size Chocolate Bar
5. Beef Jerky
6. Pepperoni Pizza Bites
7. White Cheddar Popcorn
8. Butter Pecan Ice Cream

Valentine’s Day

1. Heart-shaped Chocolates
2. Pralines
3. Assorted Truffles
4. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream
5. Heart-shaped Peanut Butter bites
6. Gummy Bears
7. Brownies
8. Molten Chocolate Cake

National Snack Day (3.4.21)

1. Nacho Cheese Chips
2. Boston Cream Donut
3. Peanut Butter Cups
4. Fruit Chews
5. Honey BBQ Potato Chips
6. Peach Tea
7. Cinnamon Sugar Twist
8. Pizza Rolls

*according to a survey conducted using online survey platform Pollfish and compiled by DKC analytics.

**This survey was conducted using the online survey platform Pollfish and compiled by DKC Analytics. The sample of 1,000 adults (18 years or older) in the United States was surveyed between March 18 2021 and March 19 2021. The margin of error is 3.1% and no additional weighting was done to the initial sample. Pollfish’s survey platform delivers online surveys globally through mobile apps and the mobile web along with the desktop web.

***$5 Off Delivery: Offer valid through 4/5/21. Valid only on orders with a minimum subtotal greater than $15, excluding taxes and fees. Valid only where DashMart is available. Limit one per person. Not valid for the purchase of alcohol. Fees, taxes, and gratuity still apply. All deliveries subject to availability. Must have or create a valid DoorDash account with a valid form of accepted payment on file. No cash value. Non-transferable. Use promo code BRACKET5 to redeem. See full terms and conditions at help.doordash.com/consumers/s/article/offer-terms-conditions.

Bracket Bites: Unveiling Our First-Ever Snacking Trends Report was originally published in DoorDash on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.