The collective catering market - United Kingdom (2023)

As of 2020, the global foodservice market, which includes segments such as educational institutions, corporations, governments, and healthcare, has experienced significant growth despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. The global foodservice market was valued at $245.1 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.97 percent to $327.9 billion by 2028, with the school foodservice market expected to expand from $19.46 billion in 2022 to $36.19 billion by 2032. The UK foodservice market, while experiencing a 25 percent decrease in value from 2019 due to the pandemic, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.4 percent to reach 6.6 billion pounds by 2026. The demand for mass catering is influenced by trends such as convenience, variety, socialization, sustainability, and time-saving. Household spending on catering in the UK increased by 67.2 percent between 2020 and 2022. Major companies, such as Compass Group, Sodexo, and Elior, have billion-dollar turnovers and continue to influence the market. The market is also influenced by regulations aimed at ensuring safety and quality and is adapting to trends such as ethnic cuisine, sustainability, customization, and expanding supply. The ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict since February 2022 has further impacted the market, causing a 7.9 percent increase in the consumer price index for canteens in the U.K..Title: Evolving Demand Dynamics in the U.K. Canteen Market In recent years, the U.K. canteen market has shown distinct trends reflecting a combination of socio-economic factors, consumer preferences, and industry innovations. With a stable number of companies providing services, employment in the sector has remained relatively stable, despite fluctuations due to the pandemic. Market demand is driven primarily by the convenience, variety, and affordability of services offered, with an emphasis on social interaction and time-saving, especially in educational institutions and corporate settings. The geographic distribution of demand for catering services largely mirrors the distribution of businesses across the country, with England taking the lion's share with over 90 percent, followed by Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The customer base remains strong, with substantial growth in the student population-between 9 and 10 million in primary and secondary schools-linked to an increase in the number of those eligible for free school meals, with a socioeconomic impact on household incomes. The university student population also showed significant growth, with numbers estimated at 2.5 to 3 million. The corporate sector shows stability, with enterprises employing more than 50 people maintaining a steady number of about 50,000. The trend toward sustainable and ethnic food offerings in canteens underscores a response to growing consumer expectations for environmentally friendly and diverse cuisine. End-user prices in mass catering maintain a competitive advantage, as full meals are typically between £2.00 and £3.50, indicating an affordable price point for the majority. However, parents' perceptions of price fairness in school cafeterias demonstrate sensitivity to economic pressures, with a majority considering the price to be appropriate, albeit down slightly from the previous year. Reflecting the current global situation, the Russian-Ukrainian conflict has had a direct effect on the British market, with a significant increase in consumer and producer price indexes. This ensures that mass catering services will have to innovate and adapt further to cope with these economic constraints while maintaining service quality and value for money. In summary, the U.K. foodservice market is in a stable phase, with nuanced growth and a conscious move toward sustainable and diversified offerings that reflect a blend of traditional needs and contemporary expectations The U.K. foodservice market is a dynamic environment, with several significant players known for their innovation and dedication to providing high-quality food services. Below, we delve into the profiles of the most prominent companies that set the standard for catering excellence and tailor their offerings to the specific needs of their clientele. **Sodexo**: A global powerhouse in the foodservice industry, Sodexo boasts an impressive presence in 80 countries and serves more than 100 million customers every day. Founded in 1966 in Marseille, the company has evolved to meet the foodservice needs of diverse sectors, including corporate, government, and education, with a focus on sustainability, local sourcing, and waste reduction. **Chartwells**: Dedicated to academic minds, Chartwells specializes in feeding students in schools, colleges, universities and academies. Emphasizing the importance of sustainable and locally sourced products, it not only provides meals but also educates on responsible and environmentally friendly food choices. **Taylor Shaw**: Having received accolades such as the Education Caterer of the Year award in 2022, Taylor Shaw is a leader in the school catering industry in the United Kingdom. The company prides itself on its innovative approach to school meals, aiming to balance taste, nutritional value and cost. **PabulumCatering**: Operating in Hampshire, Pabulum has a strong focus on nourishing the future through health-oriented school meals. Their commitment to freshness and local suppliers ensures children in the educational ecosystem receive a complete diet. **Eurest**: A Compass Group brand, Eurest covers a broad spectrum of catering services for corporations, institutions and the mass market. Creating tailored solutions for a diverse clientele, Eurest places customer satisfaction and quality among its strategic priorities. **Elior**: Since its inception in 1991, Elior has embarked on a journey that has led it to become a giant in the industry, distributing millions of meals worldwide. The company carefully develops its offerings for educational, healthcare and corporate settings, with a strong focus on health and sustainability. **Compass Group**: With more than 75 years of experience, Compass Group is committed to serving palatable and nutritious meals in schools, offices and nursing homes. As market pioneers, they distinguish themselves by promoting pre-order systems that emphasize customers' individual food preferences. **Caterfood**: Engaged primarily in schools and elder care facilities, Caterfood provides delicious meals that are attentive to the specific nutritional needs of these communities

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : ~ 40 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 02/10/2023

Summary and extracts

List of charts presented in this market study

• Restaurant market
• School cafeteria contract
• European foodservice market
• Expenditure on catering services
• Mass catering market
• Product segmentation and catering services
• Primary and secondary school students
• Primary and secondary school students with free canteen facilities
• Student preference for school lunch
• University students
• Residential care institutions
• Firms with 50+ employees
• Employed in other food services
• Other food service enterprises
• Legal form other food service enterprises
• Opinion on the quality of corporate canteens
• Opinion on the price of school canteens
• Producer price index other food services
• Consumer price index canteens