Audio and Food Delivery Satisfy Consumer Cravings Anytime

We can probably predict why you last ordered a meal through a food delivery service. Were you hosting at your home? Or maybe you were exhausted after a long day and couldn’t muster up the energy to cook? No matter the reason, you’re not alone: 70% of consumers ordered from a food delivery company in the past month. While we might not know what you specifically ordered, we have a feeling audio was somehow involved in the process, from turning up music while ordering to tuning into a podcast while nomming. 

With the Big Game having just passed, whether sports fans were more excited about the football game, the commercials, or the halftime show, two things were a constant: audio and food. Live entertainment costs are on the rise, and consumers have plenty of ways to stay entertained from the comfort of their homes, with their only splurge being food delivery. And ordering delivery has almost become as second nature as slipping on our headphones. 

As the new year kicks off, here’s how the audio and food delivery combo is one to keep top-of-mind (and add to cart). 

What’s on the Menu? Food Delivery. 

What do audio and food delivery have in common? Convenience. In between daily stressors like parenting, working, and managing households, consumers have a lot on their plates (pun intended). The ease of plugging in headphones and pressing play is just as welcomed as having a warm dinner waiting at your doorstep. 

Whether consumers are craving donuts from Doordash, umami burgers from Uber Eats, grilled cheese from Grubhub, or ice cream from Instacart, food delivery rates are unsurprisingly on the rise—increasing by 33% in 2024 compared to 2023.  

Audio can keep your brand top of mind, allowing your messages to be in their ear when those cravings strike. And those moments run the gamut; a recent survey found that listeners 18 and up are most likely to order fast food for pickup or delivery when:

• Taking a break from home cooking 

• Traveling 

• Taking a break from work 

• Watching sports on TV 

• Celebrating special events

With our comprehensive suite of mood and activity targeting capabilities, you can reach listeners when they're primed for engagement and more likely to take a bite out of your offerings.

Hosts Lean on Deliveries to Save the Day 

Speaking of special events, with the Big Game, Grammy Awards, Oscars, and CMAs on the entertainment lineup for this year, there’s no shortage of entertainment (and watch parties) that consumers will be tuning into. But even with the entertainment already taken care of, hosts still have to worry about everything else, from cleaning and organizing to decorating and cooking. When you take that into consideration, it’s clear why nearly 40% of consumers order delivery when they host at home. And don't forget grocery delivery. Have you ever planned a gathering at home where the pizza on its way, the table spread was artfully arranged, but you forgot the dips? Been there, done that—74% reported recently using food delivery for urgent situations where they needed food last minute.

And before the main event is on? Consumers turn to audio to set the mood. Whether they get their party tunes from Pandora, SoundCloud, or SiriusXM, one thing is certain: No watch party is complete without audio to set the tone (literally). And remember those mood targeting capabilities we mentioned earlier? With Pandora, you can reach listeners when they’re celebrating their favorite actor’s Oscar win, happy to be with their loved ones, or relaxed at home. You can even target angsty viewers if a sports game isn’t going how they hoped (and there’s a wager on the line). And with many households using headphones, smart TVs, or smart speakers, brands can leverage connected home advertising to reach both hosts and their guests. 

Food in One Hand, Headphones in Another 

It doesn’t take the Big Game or watch party for consumers to opt for delivery. Sometimes, they just don’t feel like cooking. And those common, everyday moments are ripe with opportunity for advertisers—especially where audio is concerned. When consumers have takeout or delivery at home, 52% are on the couch watching TV or listening to music.

And when they’re on-the-go, audio is right there with them—nearly nine in 10 Pandora listeners 18 and up say they listen to audio content during any QSR moment. And if QSRs aren’t yet on consumers’ minds, that can change. Over six in 10 listeners 18 and up could be inspired to try a fast food product or restaurant after hearing an audio ad.

Sports Fans? Check. Pop Culture Enthusiasts? Check. Music Fanatics? Check 

Nearly three in 10 listeners 18 and up are open to hearing fast food recommendations from media figures, including podcast hosts and musicians. And we’ve got media figures in droves. Whether your target consumers are sports, pop culture, or music fans, they’re all here at SiriusXM Media. For those who enjoy the thrill of the game, we’re the official partner of six professional leagues, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, PGA, and NASCAR content. We house 300+ sports podcasts—including top shows like GoalLess, Door Bumper Clear, and Brother from Another—and 20+ talk channels. 

And for those who need their daily gossip and pop culture fix, where better to advertise than the #1 podcast network for women? Our library includes leading titles like Call Her Daddy and Vibe Check. 

Additionally, don’t forget about music lovers. The week Kendrick Lamar dominated the 2025 Grammys, his artist station saw an increase of 1M spins and a 307% increase in station adds. And before he took the stage at the Big Game’s halftime show, with SZA as a guest, his station adds were expected to see a 500% surge. Your brand can get ahead of the curve by reaching fans during music's biggest moments by advertising on stations like New Hip Hop or Today’s R&B and Hip Hop Hits. 

Teaming up with Food Delivery Platforms to Deliver Flavorful Ads 

No in-house creative? No problem. Our in-house creative agency Studio Resonate can bring your vision to life. We’re no stranger to working with food delivery brands, having previously partnered with some of the largest names in the industry, including Uber Eats and Doordash. 

Need some quick inspiration? We worked with Uber Eats on a campaign, pairing Pandora’s Hipster Halloween Radio station with a clever ad featuring a chilling take on Dracula’s order. This ad was the perfect example of showcasing humor in an unexpected way. 

All about the results? We teamed up with DoorDash for a campaign that featured streaming audio and podcast announcer-read ads, with the goal of both delivering incremental reach and consumer actions. DoorDash worked with Studio Resonate to design ads that highlighted the brands’ offerings, verticals, and daily use cases. The result? The SiriusXM Podcast Network boasted +70% incremental reach to the streaming portion of the campaign while 64% of all attributable actions were deemed to be incremental.

Partner with SiriusXM Media for Hunger-Inducing Campaigns 

Finding the best partner ensures you get messaging right, while consumers get every bite. While the Big Game and major award shows are annual events, consumers love munching on food deliveries and plugging in audio year round. No matter the occasion, QSR or grocery order, or audio queue, consumers value convenience and entertainment for the small and big moments.

Want to connect before your next delivery arrives? Here, no food or creative cravings go unheard, let’s chat.

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