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Attitudes towards Casual Dining - UK - June 2017

OVERVIEW
What you need to know
Products covered in this Report
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The market
Operators face headwinds despite consumer appetite to dine out
Figure 1: Selected consumer spending priorities (after bills), April 2010-April 2017
Companies and brands
Leading operators in the casual dining sector currently performing well
Ambitious new entrants firmly in expansion mode
Bookatable integrates with Apple Maps
OpenTable partners with Facebook Messenger
Deliveroo expands delivery-only format
The consumer
Catering for families and older diners will be more important
Figure 2: Frequency of casual restaurant visits, April 2017
Diners are demanding convenience
Figure 3: Factors influencing choice of restaurant, April 2017
Diners want instant rewards
Figure 4: Motivations to visit casual restaurants, April 2017
Diners are expecting special deals and healthy options
Figure 5: Menu expectations at casual restaurants, April 2017
It's awkward for solo diners to eat at casual restaurants
Figure 6: Attitudes towards casual restaurants, April 2017
What we think
ISSUES AND INSIGHTS
Freebies and promotions give diners a reason to come through the door
The facts
The implications
Restaurants need to redouble efforts to up the diner experience
The facts
The implications
Diners have high expectations on food and drink options
The facts
The implications
THE MARKET – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Businesses face headwinds…
…despite consumers’ appetite
MARKET DRIVERS
Dining out remains a key discretionary spending area…
Figure 7: Selected consumer spending priorities (after bills), April 2010-April 2017
…but income squeeze looks set to return
Figure 8: Trends in how respondents would describe their financial situation, April 2009-April 2017
Casual dining restaurants have less appeal to ageing population
Population growth of 0-14-year-olds can benefit the casual dining sector
Figure 9: Trends in the age structure of the UK population, 2011-16 and 2016-21
Smartphone ownership is peaking
Figure 10: Ownership of mobile phones, January 2012-December 2016
Growth of the workforce
Figure 11: Employment and unemployment trends, 2011-16 and 2016-21
Recruitment and retention of hospitality staff
Apprenticeship levy comes into force in April 2017
Rising costs on the cards for food operators in 2017
Business rates
Rising inflation
National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage
Sugar tax
COMPANIES AND BRANDS – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Bill's Restaurants pushes into grab-and-go
Prezzo introduces new dishes
Bookatable integrates with Apple Maps
OpenTable taps into Facebook Messenger
Deliveroo expands delivery-only format
Bottomless brunch with unlimited food
COMPANIES AND BRANDS
Market overview
Figure 12: Selected casual dining restaurants in the UK, by outlet numbers, 2017
Bill's Restaurants Ltd
Figure 13: Key financial data for Bill’s Restaurants Ltd, 2015-16
Boparan Restaurant Group
Giraffe Concepts
Figure 14: Key financial data for Giraffe Concepts Ltd, 2015-16
Harry Ramsden's Ltd
Figure 15: Key financial data for Harry Ramsden’s Ltd, 2014-15
The Restaurant Group
Frankie & Benny’s
Chiquito
Figure 16: Key financial data for The Restaurant Group, 2014-15
Casual Dining Restaurant Group
Figure 17: Key financial data for Casual Dining Restaurant Group, 2015-16
The Fulham Shore
Figure 18: Key financial data for The Fulham Shore, 2015-16
Prezzo Limited
Figure 19: Key financial data for Prezzo Ltd, 2014-16
Ones to watch
Levi Roots Caribbean Smokehouse
The Ivy Collection
Rollout Restaurants and Soho House joint venture
Hart Brothers Restaurants Ltd
LAUNCH ACTIVITY AND INNOVATION
Gluten-free catering accreditation
Côte Restaurants
Pho
Browns Brasserie and Bar
Opportunities in recipe-box space
Leon partners HelloFresh
Breakfast on-the-go occasions
Polpo
Nando’s introduces breakfast menu at Gatwick site
Eco-friendly restaurants
Le Pain Quotidien achieves carbon neutral status
Nando's opens eco-friendly restaurant
Integrated technology
Zonal provides integrated solutions for PizzaExpress
Bookatable integrates with Apple Maps
OpenTable utilises Facebook Messenger
5loyalty creates bespoke mobile app for Friska
Price promotions to drive footfall
Busaba Eathai 99p Blue Monday
Pizza Hut’s Collection Exclusive
CityMunch app
MealFix’s voucher-based lunch subscription
Partnerships with media
#BellaWimpyKid
Harry Ramsden's used Storks to introduce new meal deals
Aardman designs Las Iguanas’ kid’s menu
Bottomless brunch
Pix
Smokey Tails
KuPP
Craft beer collaborations
Wagamama x Meantime
Bundobust’s Bombay Dazzler
Takeaway and home delivery becomes mainstream
Nando’s trials home delivery
Specialist delivery attracts investment
Deliveroo expands kitchen and delivery-only format
Jamie’s delivers pizza
foodnfilm
Smaller formats
Chick ‘n’ Sours opens CHIK’N
Yo! Sushi Boxpark
Little Bill’s
THE CONSUMER – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Casual dining restaurant usage declines with age
Diners are demanding faster service
Restaurant atmosphere is just as important as the menu
Diners want instant rewards
Diners expect to see healthy options
FREQUENCY OF VISITS
Most people eat at pubs/carvery
Pub/carvery and burger restaurants’ frequent customers tend to be men…
…as well as parents of young children
Figure 20: Frequency of casual restaurant visits, April 2017
Usage declines with age
Figure 21: Frequency of casual restaurant visits, by age, April 2017
Britons eat at different types of restaurants…
Figure 22: Repertoire of the types of casual dining restaurants used, April 2017
…especially younger diners and parents
Figure 23: Repertoire of the types of casual dining restaurants used, by age groups, April 2017
RESTAURANT CHOICE DRIVERS
Being conveniently located is more important to older diners…
Figure 24: Convenient location as a factor influencing choice of restaurant, by age and gender, April 2017
…while younger diners want home delivery options
Figure 25: Takeaway/home delivery options as a factor influencing choice of restaurant, by age, April 2017
High food hygiene ratings important to older diners
Figure 26: Factors influencing choice of restaurant, April 2017
Fast speed service encourages all age groups to visit
UNDERSTANDING DINERS' MOTIVATIONS TO VISIT
Discounts/rewards during quiet times of the day can drive footfall
Figure 27: Motivations to visit casual restaurants, April 2017
Non-food deals appeal to young diners and parents
Takeout functions appeal to young diners
Click-and-collect options
Grab-and-go options
Younger diners are influenced by online reviews
MENU EXPECTATIONS
Older diners expect all-day set menu options
Women have an appetite for healthy options
Healthy meal alternatives…
…snacks/light meals…
...and healthy drinks
Older women are interested in shareable dishes
Women expect weekday lunch promotions
Figure 28: Menu expectations at casual restaurants, April 2017
ATTITUDES TOWARDS CASUAL RESTAURANTS
More women agree that restaurant atmosphere is as important as the menu…
…while more young men feel awkward dining alone
Figure 29: Attitudes towards casual restaurants, April 2017
Casual restaurants serve higher quality food than fast food restaurants…
…but independent restaurants offer better customer service
APPENDIX – DATA SOURCES, ABBREVIATIONS AND SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Abbreviations
Consumer research methodology

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