The increasing health-consciousness of consumers, as well as the trend for more sustainable eating is helping operators to navigate food price inflation, according to Lumina Intelligence.
New Year’s resolutions aside, Lumina’s recently launched Menu & Food Trends Report 2022 found that an interest in health eating and sustainability were some of the sector’s mega trends.
Data from its Menu Tracker tool indicates that the total proportion of dishes containing meat fell by -3ppts between 2019 and 2022, with those seeking vegan dishes when eating out increasing by 11% quarter-on-quarter.
“The trend aligns with much-needed cost management in menus and focusing on lighter and more meat-free dishes is allowing operators to handle annual price increases more effectively, as these measures facilitate smaller portions and the utilisation of less expensive ingredients, hence reducing food waste, and strengthening margins,” it said.
Since spring/summer 2022, restaurant, pub & bar same-line dish price inflation has increased to +7.9% and +7.2% respectively.
Menu management, sustainability practices and digitalisation will be key to the recovery of the total eating out market, which is expected to add up to £101bn in 2025, following stability in inflation and recovery in consumer spending power, Lumina said.
