More consumers opted to eat out at lunchtime in restaurants in the 12 weeks to 23 January 2022, with share increasing across branded and independent operators, according to Lumina Intelligence.
Its new UK Restaurant Market Report 2021/22 found that lunch share increased by +9ppts to 26% for branded operators and +17ppts to 28%, for independent restaurants, over the period, compared to the previous year.
In contrast, dinner occasions fell across branded restaurants by 4ppts to 58%, while independent restaurants saw a -19ppt drop to 63%.
Breakfast and brunch occasions each hold less than a 5% share for restaurants, and therefore represent an opportunity for venues to tap into footfall throughout the week given the trend for more flexible working models.
As consumers feel the pinch, expanding coverage of relatively low-ticket breakfast and brunch occasions, we well as utilising delivery streams and promotional offers, will tap into consumer demand for more accessible occasions for those facing financial strain, said Lumina.
“The brunch and breakfast day parts remain a relatively untapped opportunity for restaurants, versus the wider eating out market. Operators will need to be mindful of the fall in share of occasions for dinner and look to other day parts to mitigate any threats,” Blonnie Whist, insight director, Lumina Intelligence, told MCA.
“The rise of hybrid working has opened more opportunities for restaurants to drive footfall, not just at lunch, but throughout the day. One way of capitalising on this is through spaces where workers can come and set up for the day. If operators can diversify to cater for these day parts and navigate any staffing issues, then they will be well placed to recover more swiftly.”
Lumina’s new report estimated that the UK restaurant market will recover to its pre-pandemic level of value by 2023 and will be worth £18.3bn in 2025.
To find out more about the full UK Restaurant Market Report 2021/22 please click here.
