Eating out participation increased +6ppts in the four weeks to September 3, as the industry experienced stronger consumer confidence year-on-year, according to Lumina Intelligence.
A larger proportion of UK consumers are having an out of home occasion as a result of this boosted consumer optimism, however frequency has remained flat at 1.4 per week as consumers continue to be impacted by high mortgage and rent costs.
Value led channels saw the largest channel share increase, with pubs & bars, and QSR leading the way and gaining a +1.1ppt and +1.0ppts share, respectively.
On the other hand, restaurant share slipped back -0.6ppts, although dinner occasions rose +1.4ppts.
Coffee and sandwich shops also saw a decline, dropping by -1.9ppts year on year.
Consumers opted to stay at home, avoiding volatile weather and train strikes with delivery share of occasions +0.7ppts, Lumina noted.
More consumers are having a drink-only occasion this year (+4.2ppts), opting for both pubs & bars and retail channels for this occasion.
Chips, wedges and fries lost their share in food items, falling -2.3ppts, despite an increase in demand for QSR.
