Food delivery applications have changed consumer purchasing behaviour by increasing convenience and accessibility. This study examines relationships between pricing awareness, platform trust, service experiences, and consumer behaviour among college students in Goa using survey based quantitative methods and Chi-Square Tests of Independence. The findings show that trust in platform ratings is significantly associated with restaurant trial behaviour (χ² = 22.27, p = 0.0002), whereas surge pricing awareness does not significantly influence ordering frequency (χ² = 6.06, p = 0.1949). Negative service experiences also do not show significant association with platform switching behaviour (χ² = 1.14, p = 0.8883). The study suggests that trust and service quality may influence consumer behaviour more strongly than pricing awareness.

This study explored food delivery application usage patterns and consumer behaviour among college students in Goa. The findings show that students use food delivery platforms not only for convenience but also rely on the information available on these platforms when making decisions. Among the factors examined, trust in ratings and reviews influences consumer choices. [1], [6], particularly when students were deciding whether to try a new restaurant. In contrast, awareness of surge pricing and negative service experiences appeared to have a relatively limited impact on overall ordering behaviour. The results suggest that students place considerable importance on the credibility of ratings and reviews when evaluating food options. While many respondents were aware of pricing practices and had experienced service-related issues, these factors alone were not strong enough to significantly alter their behaviour. This highlights the importance of trust and perceived reliability within digital food delivery platforms. Overall, the study provides useful insights into how college students interact with food delivery applications and the factors that influence their decisions. By examining these behavioural patterns within the context of Goa, the research contributes to a better understanding of consumer behaviour in the growing online food delivery applications that continue to shape consumer purchasing behaviour. [1], [2], [5].

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