The eating out market is expected to total £101bn in 2025 following stability in inflation and recovery in consumer spending power, according to the Lumina Intelligence Menu and Food Trends Report 2022.
The report found that value scrutiny has seen the most notable uplift year-on-year, with operators and consumers across the F&B market highlighting the impact of the increased cost of living on food trends.
Economic instability has also driven wider food trends, including retro food, with uncertainty leading to increased demand for comfort and nostalgia.
Another trend is healthier eating and sustainability, which has aligned with cost management on menus; trends for lighter and more meat-free dishes have allowed for smaller portions and less expensive ingredients, reducing waste and strengthening margins.
The total proportion of dishes containing meat has fallen by 3ppts between 2019 and 2022, while the average calorie count of a dish has fallen by 2.4% between May and October, according to the report.
Operators have simultaneously been forced to increase prices by a higher percentage year-on-year, with same-line dish price inflation increasing to 7.9% between February and October 2022.
While same-line dish price inflation has remained below consumer price inflation, operators are introducing greater price increases through new dishes, which are on average 12.6% more expensive than same-line counterparts.
Operators have also managed challenges and improved margins through sustainability and digitalisation innovation, with initiatives such as regenerative farming and food waste reduction technology.
