MANILA — Burgers are the top choice among Filipinos ordering food late at night, accounting for 25.3% of all deliveries made between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. from January to June 2026, according to food delivery platform foodpanda.
The figure means roughly one in four orders placed during the five-hour period was for a burger, based on nationwide order data from foodpanda.
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The trend may reflect the eating habits of Filipinos who work, study or stay awake late into the night. A University of Chicago study found that sleep restriction can increase the brain’s preference for substantial, energy-rich foods, particularly as fatigue sets in.
The pattern may be particularly relevant in the Philippines, where a large workforce operates on night-shift schedules. The IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines said the IT-BPM industry ended 2025 with $40 billion in revenue and 1.9 million workers, about 60% of whom work night shifts to serve Western time zones.
The late-night burger preference also appears across the country’s major food delivery markets, according to foodpanda, suggesting the trend is not limited to Metro Manila.
Patricia Jacinto, growth and marketing director of foodpanda Philippines, said late-night ordering has become an increasingly important dining occasion for Filipinos.
“While we offer thousands of food choices on the app, burgers continue to stand out as the top pick after 11 p.m.,” Jacinto said. “The consistency of this trend across the country shows how customers value meals that are familiar, satisfying and convenient, whether they’re working late, studying or simply winding down for the day.”
The data suggests that for many Filipinos, midnight eating is less about a light snack and more about a full, satisfying meal — with the burger emerging as the go-to choice.