Eating out in the UK

Here is a summary of how the eating out market is panning out…

Informal eating out is worth in excess of £40 billion.

Allegra's consumer research shows that on average, one in nine meals are eaten out of the home every week, equivalent to an estimated 148 million meals in 2009.

£40.3bn equates to £2.1bn spent at breakfast (5% of the total), £17.1bn at lunch (42%), £16.7bn at dinner (42%) and £1.4bn at supper/late night dining (3%). Both mid-morning and afternoon snacks account for £3.0bn (8% of the total).

Consumers will spend on average £12.75 per week or £663 per year on informal eating out in 2009 – this compares with £4.44 per week or £230 per year in 1989.

Over the last 40 years, the informal Eating Out market has taken an increasing share of the total expenditure by consumers on food and beverages – reaching 22% in 2009. This compares with a 14% share in 1969.

The current recession has dampened consumers' short-term appetite for eating out, and the market is forecast to decline by 0.5% in 2009.

Last year, one in eight meals were eaten out of the home.

35% of consumers are eating out less now than they were a year ago, while 20% plan to cut back over the year ahead.

The hardest hit establishments are those charging over £10 per head as consumers seek out greater affordability. This has meant that casual dining concepts have seen negative growth while the fast food segment has become more buoyant.

The market will see a modest recovery in 2010 with growth of 0.5%-1.0%.

Over the next five years, an estimated 3%-5% increase in employment is predicted within the informal eating out sector as the market expands to cater for growing demand.

Related Articles:

• 24 Jul 2009 - Recession busting course for small hospitality businesses
• 23 Jul 2009 - Canny diners find ways to eat out for less
• 15 Jul 2009 - Spending on eating out falls for first time in 40 years
• 10 Jun 2009 - Eating out is falling after hitting new high