Delivery and takeout are most Americans' only option for eating out during the pandemic.

But there are better and worse ways to order delivery.

Business Insider spoke with five restaurant owners to find out what they want customers to know about ordering delivery and takeout during the pandemic.

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Delivery has become the new normal for restaurants across America.

Stay-at-home orders and restrictions on non-essential businesses have forced the restaurant industry to enter unprecedented territory. Now, every operating restaurant in the country relies on takeout and delivery.

As a diner, you should still order delivery and takeout if you can. But there's a right way to do it.

Business Insider spoke with five restaurant owners about what their biggest struggles during the pandemic have been, and delivery was a recurring theme in all conversations.

Here are the five biggest things restaurant owners want you, the customer, to know about ordering delivery and takeout.