UK Eating Out Review Market Report 2020

Providing the most comprehensive and up-to-date information and analysis of the UK Eating Out market, including the behaviours, preferences and habits of the consumer.

The UK eating out foodservice market was massively hit in 2020, with lockdowns throughout the year enforcing long periods of closure and extremely restricted trade. The foodservice industry saw an estimated 58% drop in value during 2020, falling from £76.8 billion in 2019 to £32.4 billion in 2020.

While many major foodservice venues did not offer takeaway or delivery during the first pandemic, there has been an increased shift towards online infrastructure in the later half of 2020. The Eat Out To Help Out scheme in the summer also provided the market with a temporary boost, with 46% of all adults taking advantage of the discounts.

However, the November 2020 and January 2021 lockdowns have caused yet another decline in trade, with the industry not expected to reach 2019 levels until 2024. As lockdowns lift, the demand for out-of-home dining experiences will help boost recovery, but the continued uncertainty about indoor dining will mean many venues will have to rely on heated outdoor seating areas.

Read on to discover more details or take a look at all of our UK Food and Foodservice market research.

Quickly understand

• The impact of COVID-19 on the foodservice market.
• Consumers’ participation in eating out and how this has been impacted by the pandemic.
• Ways that brands can adapt their foodservice business to reach more consumers who are staying at home.
• The impact of COVID-19 on consumers’ eating out decision making process, with a focus on promotional activities.
• Consumers’ perceptions of foodservice venues.

Covered in this report

Venues: Burger and chicken quick service, pizza takeaways, pubs, branded/managed pubs, tenanted/leased pubs, casual dining restaurants, independent restaurants, coffee shops, hotel catering, roadside catering, in-store restaurants, food-to-go specialists, fast-food outlets, street food/food courts.

Brands: PizzaExpress, Wagamama, Beefeater, JD Wetherspoon, Papa John’s, Domino’s, McDonald’s, KFC, Pret A Manger, Subway, Greggs, Euro Garages UK, Costa, Starbucks, Deliveroo, Patisserie Valerie, Saindbury’s, Greene King, Just Eat, P!ckers, McCain, Côte Restaurants, Dishoom, Hall & Woodhouse, Soylent.

Expert analysis from a specialist in the field

Written by Trish Caddy, a leading analyst in the Foodservice sector, her extensive knowledge delivers in-depth commentary and analysis to highlight current trends and add expert context to the numbers.

For years, pubs and coffee shops have been vying with one another in ruling the high street, and with more consumers staying at home since the start of the pandemic, a fundamental human need for community unlocks the opportunity for both to respond and give consumers a sense of belonging.

Trish Caddy
Senior Foodservice Analyst