WASHINGTON – Delivery and catering sales are on the rise as more consumers either supplement or substitute those prepared foods as part of their meals, according to the National Restaurant Association’s 2019 State of the Industry report.

That extends to holidays as well. With Independence Day approaching, consumers have another reason to order in their meals.

“More restaurants in general are now open on holidays, and also have enhanced their marketing of away-from-home meal solutions,” said Hudson Riehle, National Restaurant Association senior vice president of research. “Furthermore, three in four consumers tell us that dining out with family and friends is a better use of their leisure time than cooking and cleaning up.”

The State of the Industry report goes on to say that 43 percent of adults are more likely now than they were two years ago to add restaurant-prepared items like a main dish, side dish, or dessert to home-cooked meals. That number increased to 58 percent for millennials.

Many foodservice operators offering delivery and catering options have seen those sales go up over the last two years.