With the UK eating out sector valued at £20.6 billion this year, more people are dining out with greater frequency than previously. Casual dining has been growing, with people eating out for a wider variety of reasons. From the family get-together to events such as birthdays or anniversaries, the special occasions market remains buoyant, with a growing number of establishments offering private function rooms to find new ways of making eating out special.

As a widening mix of people eat out in a variety of establishments, many consumers' expectations are rising as they eat out more often and become more familiar with eating out culture. Today's generation have taken eating out on board as a social and cultural experience to be enjoyed regularly, and it would appear that the type of restaurants frequented by the young, have the most to gain. Yet budget restaurants, far from being the preserve of the less affluent are being visited by a larger consumer base. Budget Eating Out highlights the current market situation and looks forward to the future.