UK Fast Food Market

UK Fast Food Market Overview:

The UK fast food market size reached USD 28.07 Billion in 2023. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 52.33 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 6.30% during 2024-2032. The market is propelled by increasing demand for convenience and quick meals, growth of online food delivery platforms, rising popularity of fast-casual dining options, expanding vegan and healthier fast food choices, and competitive pricing and promotional offers.

UK Fast Food Market Trends:

Demand for Convenience and Quick Meals

The UK fast food market is driven by the fast-paced lifestyles of modern consumers. Between juggling work, social commitments, and family life, more individuals are seeking easy meals. Fast food chains are catering to these needs by serving dishes that can be quickly prepared and served in a short amount of time. Urbanization in the UK has further strengthened the demand for fast food, with many seeking affordable and convenient dining options. Restaurants are meeting these evolving needs through drive-thru options, click-and-collect services, and express delivery, making it easy to order and receive food. Fast food has become the first choice for many consumers, providing a quick meal that allows them to gain time to focus on other priorities, particularly with busy schedules. This demand is propelling the UK fast food market generating high revenues over the past few years.

Technological Advancements and Digital Platforms

Digital technology has had a profound impact on the fast food industry. It is now easier for consumers to access meals through online ordering and delivery platforms. The rise of mobile apps, online food aggregators, and third-party services such as Uber Eats and Deliveroo allows individuals to order fast food from home or the office. Fast food brands have embraced this trend, using digital menu boards and offering quick-service restaurants and home delivery to expand their consumer base and boost sales. In addition, advancements in payment systems and loyalty programs have improved the customer experience. More fast food chains are offering mobile and contactless payment options, making transactions smoother and faster. As per Gitnux, by 2025, 73.4% of transactions in the UK are predicted to be made via mobile devices.  Besides this, loyalty programs integrated into mobile apps, with discounts to incentivize customers, are becoming more popular. Digital platforms and easy payment methods have made fast food more accessible to tech-savvy consumers, creating a favorable market outlook overall.

Expanding Menu Options and Healthier Alternatives

The shift in consumer preferences toward healthier and more diverse menu options significantly influences the UK fast food market. There is a growing health consciousness among consumers these days. In order to cater to these demands, many fast-food chains are adding healthier options to their menus. This includes salads, plant-based options, and grilled items. Vegan and vegetarian diets are also becoming more popular. As a result, meat-free alternatives are being introduced to serve these dietary preferences. In the UK, the percentage of vegetarianism has risen by 80% in the past ten years, with a 40% increase in the sales of vegan meat substitutes in 2020, according to Gitnux. Moreover, fast food brands are also focusing on transparency and providing nutritional information to meet the demands of health-conscious consumers. The availability of gluten-free, low-calorie, and organic options has further expanded the appeal of fast food to a broader audience. For instance, those who may not consume traditional fast food but are attracted to the healthier alternative of low-calorie, organic options are choosing to purchase such foods. This diversification of menu items is helping fast food brands to remain competitive in a market where consumer preferences are constantly evolving.

UK Fast Food Market News:

• 21 August 2024: With a £1 billion development drive, McDonald’s intends to open over 200 outlets in the UK and Ireland during the next four years, creating approximately 24,000 jobs. 

UK Fast Food Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the country level for 2024-2032. Our report has categorized the market based on product type and end use.

Product Type Insights:

• Pizza/Pasta
• Burgers/Sandwiches
• Asian/Latin American Food
• Others
   

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the product type. This includes pizza/pasta, burgers/sandwiches, Asian/Latin American food, and others.

End Use Insights:

• Full-Service Restaurants
• Quick Service Restaurants
• Others
   

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the end use have also been provided in the report. This includes full-service restaurants, quick service restaurants, and others.

Regional Insights:

• London
• South East
• North West
• East of England
• South West
• Scotland
• West Midlands
• Yorkshire and The Humber
• East Midlands
• Others
   

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include London, South East, North West, East of England, South West, Scotland, West Midlands, Yorkshire and The Humber, East Midlands, and Others.

Competitive Landscape:

The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Competitive analysis such as market structure, key player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided.

UK Fast Food Market Report Coverage:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the UK fast food market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the UK fast food market?
• What is the breakup of the UK fast food market on the basis of product type?
• What is the breakup of the UK fast food market on the basis of end use?
• What are the various stages in the value chain of the UK fast food market? 
• What are the key driving factors and challenges in the UK fast food?
• What is the structure of the UK fast food market and who are the key players?
• What is the degree of competition in the UK fast food market? 

 Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the UK fast food market from 2018-2032.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the UK fast food market.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the UK fast food industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.