United Kingdom (UK) Food Service Market Overview, 2028

The UK's food service market is incredibly diverse, offering a wide range of international cuisines. The UK is known for its traditional pubs, which serve as social hubs for locals. Many pubs have evolved into gastropubs, offering not only a wide range of beverages but also high-quality food. This combination of a cosy atmosphere and good food is a hallmark of British dining culture. The UK hosts numerous food festivals and events throughout the year, celebrating regional and international cuisines. These festivals showcase local producers, chefs, and artisans, attracting both food enthusiasts and tourists. The country boasts a vibrant fine dining scene, with Michelin-starred restaurants and upscale eateries offering gourmet experiences. These establishments emphasise creativity, quality, and often the use of local and seasonal ingredients. Casual dining chains and family-friendly restaurants are common in the UK. These establishments often serve a mix of international and British dishes, catering to a wide range of tastes and budgets. In the UK, McDonald's has more than 1,270 restaurants and employs more than 120,000 people who work together to combine great-tasting food made from high-quality ingredients with service. The UK is home to an incredibly diverse range of restaurants, representing cuisine from around the world. London, in particular, is known for its multicultural food scene, where you can find authentic dishes from almost every country. The UK boasts numerous Michelin-starred restaurants. In September 2021, there were over 150 Michelin-starred restaurants in the UK, with many of them located in London. Furthermore, the UK has a pub culture like no other. It's estimated that there are around 60,000 pubs in the UK, each with its own unique character and charm. Pubs are not only places to enjoy drinks but also hearty British food.

According to the research report "United Kingdom Food Service Market Overview, 2028," published by Bonafide Research, the United Kingdom Food Service market is expected to reach a market size of more than USD 185 Billion by 2028. The food sector in the UK has developed and altered in response to consumer needs and behaviour. Over the past many years, there has been a growth in the number of fast food and takeout businesses in the UK. In 2022, there were more than 40 thousand fast food and takeout establishments in the United Kingdom. Burgers have traditionally been the most well-liked fast food item among consumers due to the flavours and ingredients used in the items. The increased popularity of burgers and chicken wraps has led to an abundance of alternatives for these foods, as well as items with protein options including venison, beef, and many more. The UK's food service market offers a wide range of culinary experiences, from traditional British dishes to international cuisines. The diversity of dining options caters to the varied tastes and preferences of consumers, making it an attractive and evolving market. The UK's multicultural society has led to a thriving dining scene that celebrates cuisine from around the world. Restaurants serving authentic international dishes reflect the country's diverse population and attract both locals and tourists. The UK is a major global tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year. Tourists contribute significantly to the food service industry, seeking out local and international dining experiences during their stay. The UK has a strong and stable economy, which means people have disposable income to spend on dining out. This economic stability supports the growth of the food service market. The industry constantly evolves by embracing culinary innovation and staying abreast of food trends. From farm-to-table concepts to sustainability initiatives and creative menu offerings, restaurants continue to engage consumers with new experiences.

Based on the sector types, which include commercial and non-commercial, among them, non-commercial will grow with the highest growth rate. Consumers in the UK are increasingly looking for diverse and high-quality dining experiences. This has created a demand for food service options beyond traditional commercial restaurants, such as school cafeterias, hospital cafés, and corporate dining facilities. There is a growing emphasis on health and wellness in the UK, which has led to an increased focus on healthier food options in non-commercial food service settings. Schools, hospitals, and workplaces are offering more nutritious meal choices, often in response to government guidelines and public health concerns. Non-commercial food service locations are often conveniently located for their intended audiences, such as students, patients, or employees. This accessibility can lead to increased patronage, as it saves time and effort for consumers. Many non-commercial food service facilities are managed by contract catering companies, which specialise in providing food services to a variety of organizations. These companies can offer cost-effective solutions and tailor their services to the specific needs of their clients.

According to the report, the food service system is segmented into the conventional foodservice system, the centralised foodservice system, the ready-prepared foodservice system, and the assembly-serve foodservice system. Among them, the ready-prepared foodservice system is a growing market. Ready-prepared food eliminates the need for shopping, meal planning, and cooking from scratch. Consumers can access a wide variety of pre-packaged meals, ranging from heat-and-eat options to partially prepared ingredients that make home cooking easier. Consumer preferences have evolved, with a growing interest in gourmet and restaurant-quality meals. Ready-prepared food services often offer high-quality, chef-inspired dishes, giving consumers access to restaurant-like experiences in the comfort of their homes. The proliferation of food delivery apps and online platforms has made it easier for consumers to access ready-prepared food. Many restaurants and food delivery services offer a wide range of ready-to-eat and ready-to-heat options for delivery or pickup. Ready-prepared food services save consumers time, as they don't need to invest time in meal preparation and cooking. This convenience is particularly attractive to busy professionals and families.

In terms of types of restaurants, there are full-service restaurants, quick-service restaurants, institutes, and others. Among them, the Quick Service Restaurant has the highest market share. QSRs are designed to provide fast and convenient food options. In today's busy world, consumers often seek quick meals that can be ordered, prepared, and served rapidly. QSRs excel at delivering on this need, making them a popular choice for individuals on the go. QSRs generally offer affordable menu items, making them accessible to a wide range of consumers. This affordability is particularly appealing to budget-conscious individuals and families. QSRs typically offer a broad menu with various choices, including burgers, sandwiches, chicken, pizza, and more. This diversity caters to a wide range of tastes and preferences. Many QSR chains are well-established and have built strong brand recognition and customer loyalty over the years. This brand loyalty can drive customers to choose QSRs over other dining options.



United Kingdom Foodservice Market News:
August 2023: Coffee shop chain Starbucks announced plans to invest USD 32.78 million toward opening 100 new outlets across the United Kingdom in 2023, as it expects its growth momentum to continue.
January 2023: Costa Coffee added new servings to its menu like Cajun Spiced Chicken Pizza Wrap, uzeTea Mellow Mango Superfuzions Tea, FuzeTea Spiced Apple flavor Superfuzions Tea, FuzeTea Citrus Zing Superfuzions Tea, vegan BBQ Chick'n Panini, Burts BBQ Lentil Chips, Poached Egg & Bacon Brioche, M&S Smoked Ham & Coleslaw Sandwich or the new M&S Minestrone with Bacon Soup, M&S pineapple chunks, and a new range of Chocolate Cornflake Cake and caramel cakes at its outlets in the United Kingdom.

Considered in this report:
• Geography: United Kingdom
• Historic year: 2017
• Base year: 2022
• Estimated year: 2023
• Forecast year: 2028

Aspects covered in this report:
• United Kingdom Food Service market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Sector
• Commercial
• Non- Commercial

By System
• Conventional Foodservice System
• Centralized Foodservice System
• Ready Prepared Foodservice System
• Assembly-Serve Foodservice System

By Type of Restaurant
• Full service restaurants
• Quick service restaurants
• Institutes
• Other

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, and annual reports of companies, analyzing the government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers into regional aspects, tier aspects, age groups, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience:
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to the Food Service industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.