<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The surging popularity of food delivery apps is creating a profit boom for savvy restaurant owners as consumer data from banks helps businesses to decide when and where to spend their marketing money.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>According to Westpac, food delivery spending is up 7.8 per cent nationally over the past year. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Avi Labi, owner of South Dowling Sandwiches in Sydney, has adapted his business to capitalise on this trend. </span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>EXCLUSIVE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/exclusive-scope-of-childcare-abuse-allegations-could-be-greater-than-first-indicated/3e74b343-802f-4b86-a082-4644d41f209f"><strong><span>Scope of childcare abuse allegations could be greater than first indicated</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We're like a mecca for the drivers that hang around here because they know every second we've got orders coming up," he said. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We do on average about 200 deliveries."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>According to Westpac analysis of transactional data, restaurants using food delivery platforms are reaping the benefits.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/food-delivery-restaurant-boom/132c90db-52c0-4ca5-aefd-5377dbaf5da1" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We looked at Westpac's transactional data across restaurants, cafes and fast food," Anthony Mathews, national general manager, SME Westpac, said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"And what we found was that customers that used food delivery platforms are generating, on average, $100,000 more turnover than those that aren't."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While platforms like Uber Eats, Menulog and DoorDash take a commission of up to 30 per cent, Labi says the expanded customer reach justifies the cost. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"50 per cent of our business now is on the platforms," he said. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/accc-warns-against-ghost-stores-online-businesses-alleged-masquerading-as-local/395bed8b-f5e7-4a29-8c3c-30c413684f2e"><strong><span>ACCC's warning about 'ghost stores' luring customers online</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Westpac is offering consumer data analysis to small businesses, providing insights into customer behaviour and market trends to assist businesses in making informed decisions about marketing spend and strategies. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We help customers make the right decisions and effectively," Matthew said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"For example, if you're looking at opening a new cafe, we can provide insights into where your customers are buying."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Restaurants in Victoria have benefited most from the food delivery boom, followed by New South Wales and Queensland. Demand is particularly strong in outer suburban areas, including south-west Melbourne, western Sydney, Ipswich, Perth's south-east, and Adelaide's north.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>This article was produced with the assistance of</span></em><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/technology/9express/16480c33-636a-461f-9c4f-d0e2522c722a"><em><span>9ExPress</span></em></a><em><span>.</span></em></div></div>