{"id":18887,"date":"2026-01-05T07:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-05T07:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/?p=18887"},"modified":"2026-01-27T05:56:34","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T05:56:34","slug":"fast-food-restaurant-statistics-uk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/fast-food-restaurant-statistics-uk\/","title":{"rendered":"Fast Food Restaurant Statistics UK: Market Growth, Trends &amp; Industry Insights"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"18887\" class=\"elementor elementor-18887\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de3833e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"de3833e\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-272b898 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"272b898\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fast food is a big part of what people eat in the UK, across age groups, locations, and meal occasions. From city centres to suburban high streets, the segment continues to attract steady footfall. This has made the segment one of the largest and most visible parts of the UK restaurant industry. But scale alone does not explain how the sector is performing today.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spending patterns are shifting, ordering habits are changing, and the economics of running fast food restaurants are under pressure. Looking at these changes through statistics is a good way to identify long-term structural trends and growth opportunities.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This article examines the current fast food restaurant statistics in the UK, including the market size, consumer demand, ordering behaviour, and operational benchmarks to see what\u2019s driving the sector.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>KEY TAKEAWAYS<\/b><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9049011 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9049011\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3bf4540 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3bf4540\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f8393b5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f8393b5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fast food continues to be a regular part of everyday eating habits in the UK, driven by convenience, familiarity, and repeat usage.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The UK Fast Food market was valued at $29.8 billion in 2024 and expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.99%<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Digital ordering is consistently shaping how customers browse, order, and return to fast food brands.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UK consumers evaluate price in context, weighing portion size and perceived value as much as the headline cost.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reliability and order accuracy in fast-food delivery play a bigger role in loyalty than short-term discounts or promotions.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e9c3b1d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e9c3b1d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><b>Fast Food Restaurant Statistics UK: Market Overview<\/b><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the market level, fast food in the UK is defined by three fundamentals: the revenue the segment generates, the number of outlets, and the number of people the sector employs. Looking at these numbers together provides a concrete starting point for understanding the scale of the market today.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>A. Market Size and Revenue<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The UK fast food segment is a substantial part of the nation\u2019s foodservice landscape. According to IMARC Group, the UK fast food market reached about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imarcgroup.com\/uk-fast-food-market\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$29.8 billion<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in 2024 and is projected to grow to around $50.2 billion by 2033, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 5.99% between 2025 and 2033.<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other industry estimates place UK fast food and quick-service restaurant revenue at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/report\/uk-fast-food-restaurants-market-report\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a340.5 billion<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in 2025, with an annual growth rate of 5.7% that outpaces general price inflation.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In contrast to fast food, the broader UK foodservice market, which includes full-service restaurants, pubs, and catering, stands at roughly <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mordorintelligence.com\/industry-reports\/united-kingdom-foodservice-market\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$104.81 billion<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in 2025.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3><b>B. Number of Outlets and Geographic Spread<\/b><\/h3><p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18899\" src=\"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Number-of-outlets.webp\" alt=\"Number of outlets in the U.S.\" width=\"741\" height=\"486\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Number-of-outlets.webp 741w, https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Number-of-outlets-300x197.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Number-of-outlets-150x98.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 741px) 100vw, 741px\" \/><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The UK had approximately <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ibisworld.com\/united-kingdom\/number-of-businesses\/takeaway-fast-food-restaurants\/3423\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">49,000<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> takeaway and fast-food restaurant businesses in 2025, up from about 48,000 in 2024, indicating modest year-on-year outlet growth.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">England accounts for the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ibisworld.com\/united-kingdom\/industry\/takeaway-fast-food-restaurants\/3423\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">majority<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of fast food outlets, reflecting population density and urban concentration, with:<\/span><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Highest outlet density in London and the South East<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lower but stable concentrations across Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In fact, large national and international chains, such as McDonald\u2019s alone operates well over <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.xmap.ai\/blog\/number-of-mcdonalds-restaurants-in-the-united-kingdom\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1,400 locations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the UK, reinforcing the role of scale and standardization in the UK fast food market.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3><b>C. Employment Trends<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UK takeaway and fast-food restaurants <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ibisworld.com\/united-kingdom\/employment\/takeaway-fast-food-restaurants\/3423\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">employed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> around 468,000 people in 2025, up from approximately 449,000 in 2024.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The UK restaurant industry workforce looks something like this-<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A workforce leaning towards younger employees<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A high proportion of part-time roles<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seasonal hiring increases during holidays and peak demand periods<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h2><b>UK Fast Food Restaurant Industry: Competitive Landscape<\/b><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fast food in the UK is dominated by large national chains, but independent operators still account for a substantial share of outlets and customer demand. Looking at market share, outlet mix, and pricing strategies helps clarify how this balance plays out in practice.<\/span><\/p><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Competitive-landscape.webp\" alt=\"Competitive landscape\" width=\"741\" height=\"486\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Competitive-landscape.webp 741w, https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Competitive-landscape-300x197.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Competitive-landscape-150x98.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 741px) 100vw, 741px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><h3><b>A. Top Fast-Food Players in the UK<\/b><\/h3><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">McDonald\u2019s is the largest quick-service operator by scale, operating roughly <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcdonalds.com\/gb\/en-gb\/newsroom.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1,400+ restaurants<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and employing over 135,000 people across locations in the UK and Ireland.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the pizza segment, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/investors.dominos.co.uk\/system\/files\/uploads\/financialdocs\/2024-annual-report.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Domino\u2019s<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> continues to hold a leading position in the UK market. Its scale, delivery-led model, and dense store network have helped it maintain category leadership.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brand-uk.assets.kfc.co.uk\/drupal\/production\/2025-05\/KFC-60th-Anniversary-Report-LR.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">KFC<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and Burger King are leading the chicken and burgers categories, respectively, and chicken-first concepts are growing unit counts faster than the overall QSR market.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3><b>B. Independent Outlets vs Chains<\/b><\/h3><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chain operators hold the larger share of quick-service revenue, accounting for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mordorintelligence.com\/industry-reports\/united-kingdom-quick-service-restaurant-market\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">roughly 58.8%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of QSR market revenue (2025).<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UK diners are nearly divided in their <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/yougov.com\/en-gb\/articles\/51827-big-chains-vs-local-favourites-where-britons-get-their-fast-food-fix\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">preferences<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Around 35% of people favor large fast food chains, while about 34% prefer local or independent outlets.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/yougov.com\/en-gb\/articles\/51827-big-chains-vs-local-favourites-where-britons-get-their-fast-food-fix\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">43% of those<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who prefer chained outlets do so because of established trust and convenient locations.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the other hand, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/yougov.com\/en-gb\/articles\/51827-big-chains-vs-local-favourites-where-britons-get-their-fast-food-fix\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">59% of Brits<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who like local fast-food outlets prefer it because of the freshness and quality of food.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3><b>C. How Fast-Food Brands Drive Traffic<\/b><\/h3><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Value pricing and bundle deals are one of the simplest ways fast-food chains drive traffic across formats. Customers respond best to simple, easy-to-understand offers such as meal deals, family bundles, and student pricing, where the value is immediately clear without needing comparison or calculation.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">App-led loyalty and digital offers are increasingly influential in driving repeat visits. Leading fast food brands see strong engagement through their apps, using exclusive deals, personalized promotions, and quick reordering to retain high-frequency customers.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Repeat behavior is more closely linked to predictable pricing, reliable fulfillment, and genuinely useful rewards.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h2><b>Consumer Behavior and Trends in the UK Fast Food Restaurant Industry<\/b><\/h2><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18901\" src=\"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Customer-behavior.webp\" alt=\"Customer behavior\" width=\"741\" height=\"486\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Customer-behavior.webp 741w, https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Customer-behavior-300x197.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Customer-behavior-150x98.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 741px) 100vw, 741px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Customer behavior in the UK fast food market is shaped by routine. Most purchases are repeat decisions made under time, budget, and convenience constraints.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Surprisingly, what has changed in recent years is how customers evaluate those decisions. They now consider factors such as availability of delivery, portion value, menu transparency, and perceived health balance alongside price and speed while choosing a fast food restaurant.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Key Customer Behavior Trends<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are the key customer behavioral trends that are shaping the fast food restaurant sector in the UK-<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Convenience First:<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> UK fast food customers prioritize ease of access over most other factors. This includes proximity, fast preparation, predictable service times, and the ability to order quickly without friction. Brands that reduce decision time and waiting time tend to win repeat visits.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Delivery as a Default Option:<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Delivery is no longer an occasional substitute for eating out. For many customers, especially in urban areas, it is a standard way of getting fast food. This has shifted expectations around menu portability, portion stability, and pricing tolerance.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Price vs Portion:<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Customers rarely assess price alone. Instead, they evaluate whether the portion feels \u201cworth it\u201d for the spend. Larger portions, bundles, and shareable items often perform better than cheaper but smaller alternatives.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Healthy Eating is Prioritized:<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most customers are not seeking \u201chealthy food\u201d from fast food restaurants, but they do look for options that feel lighter, less processed, or more transparent in their ingredients. Fast food restaurants offering more visibility into item calories, using plant-based items, or offering clarity into allergens influence choice, particularly among younger diners.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Younger Diners are Driving Frequency:<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Younger age groups eat fast food more often, use digital channels more confidently, and respond faster to promotions. Their behavior has a bigger impact on overall transaction volumes.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3><b>UK Fast Food Consumer Behavior: Key Statistics<\/b><\/h3><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tastewise.io\/blog\/food-and-drink\/uk-fast-food-survey\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">74.1% of UK consumers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> prefer fast food at lunch, making it a dominant occasion for the category.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Convenience ranks <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/tastewise.io\/blog\/food-and-drink\/uk-fast-food-survey\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4.4 times higher<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> than affordability as a motivator for choosing fast food.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Surveys show <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ninjakitchen.co.uk\/fast-food-cms-page.takeaway\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">49% of Brits<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> eat takeaway food up to four times a week, indicating high overall engagement with convenience food.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UK households spend roughly <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zego.com\/zego-website-cms\/food-delivery-statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a36.40 per week<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on takeaways, equivalent to about \u00a3820 per person annually.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/science.food.gov.uk\/article\/130815-making-food-better-tracker-survey-2024\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">26% of UK consumers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> say they want healthier products in fast food restaurants (down from 31% in 2023).<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Trends data indicates a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/meyka.com\/blog\/search-surge-for-fast-food-near-me-reflects-increasing-uk-consumer-trends-1311\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1,000% spike<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in searches for \u201cfast food near me\u201d in the UK, signalling strong on-demand intent.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to a fast food brand awareness <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.statista.com\/statistics\/1343390\/most-well-known-restaurant-chains-in-the-united-kingdom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ranking<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, McDonald\u2019s and Burger King are leading in 2024 with 97% and 96% awareness, respectively.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aviko.co.uk\/blog\/fast-food-industry-uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">32% of UK consumers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> aged 16-32 years are more interested in trying out new fast food options.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pizza is the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aviko.co.uk\/blog\/fast-food-industry-uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">top fast food choice<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for diners, surpassing fish &amp; chips and burgers.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Convenience is an important factor for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/tastewise.io\/blog\/food-and-drink\/uk-fast-food-survey\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">37% of consumers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> eating fast food, while 8% prioritize affordability.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3><b>EXPERT OPINION<\/b><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c645dc e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0c645dc\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1760aa1 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1760aa1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-707f375 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"707f375\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maria Vanifatova, CEO of Meaningful Vision, an AI-powered competitor intelligence platform, says, &#8220;The UK&#8217;s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/qsrmedia.com\/research\/exclusive\/year-in-review-uks-fast-food-market\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fast-food market<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is experiencing significant growth, particularly in the chicken segment, with chains like Popeyes and Wingstop making notable inroads. While London remains a major market, contributing to a significant number of new openings, regions like Northern Ireland are demonstrating impressive growth rates.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As competition is getting stronger, understanding these regional trends is essential for businesses to capitalise on the opportunities within this dynamic sector.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ea497a7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ea497a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><b>How Digital Ordering and Delivery Are Reshaping UK Fast Food<\/b><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Digital ordering and delivery are now central to fast food operations in the UK. They shape brand visibility, repeat purchases, and the margins restaurants earn on each order.\u00a0 What matters today is not whether customers use digital channels, but how they use them and what they expect in return.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the UK fast-food market, speed of service, pricing clarity, ordering channels, and operational consistency are increasingly important to performance. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brands that manage these areas well see stronger repeat orders from digital channels, while others struggle with cost pressure and fluctuating demand.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>1. Direct Online Ordering is Gaining Traction<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.restaurantdive.com\/news\/majority-customers-prefer-ordering-delivery-direct-restaurant-ncr-voyix\/738397\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">majority<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of restaurant customers (58%) say they prefer to order delivery through a brand\u2019s own app or website rather than through third-party platforms.<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Customers are increasingly placing orders through brand-owned <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/restroweb-online-ordering-website\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ordering websites<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and mobile apps, particularly for repeat purchases.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Direct channels often make it easier to reorder, offer better customization options, and provide access to exclusive offers or loyalty rewards.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But if ordering feels slower or offers less value than third-party apps, customers may even switch back quickly, even when they generally prefer ordering direct.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3><b>2. Mobile Devices Dominate Digital Orders<\/b><\/h3><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-18908\" src=\"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mobile-ordering.webp\" alt=\"Mobile ordering\" width=\"741\" height=\"486\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mobile-ordering.webp 741w, https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mobile-ordering-300x197.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mobile-ordering-150x98.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 741px) 100vw, 741px\" \/><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mobile technology drives most digital food orders in the UK. Over <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.iweb.co.uk\/2024\/04\/analysing-consumer-behaviour-in-digital-foodservice-markets\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">60% of UK consumers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> prefer to order food using a mobile device, according to recent insights on digital foodservice behavior.<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For fast food operators, the mobile experience has a direct impact on orders and repeat visits, from browsing the menu to completing payment.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Customers turn to mobile ordering because it feels familiar, saves time, and fits easily into their daily routines.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, if the menu is hard to navigate, the site is slow, or checkout takes too many steps, customers often abandon the order instead of pushing through.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3><b>3. Delivery as a Primary Consumption Channel<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">About <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.deliverect.com\/en-gb\/blog\/trending\/what-uk-restaurants-should-know-deliverect-new-study\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">40% of people<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the UK receive up to three food deliveries per week, reflecting sustained reliance on delivery as part of regular routines.<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For many UK consumers, especially in urban areas, delivery is no longer the last alternative when dining out isn\u2019t possible.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As delivery frequency increases, customers evaluate fast food differently. Speed and food quality still matter, but consistency during transit, which includes how well food holds heat, texture, and portion integrity, has become part of the overall experience.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Delivery also shapes expectations around reliability. Accurate orders, predictable wait times, and clear tracking now play a direct role in customer satisfaction and repeat ordering behavior.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3><b>4. Fees and Wait Times Influence Loyalty<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Customers in the UK fast food market are very aware of the total cost and service experience tied to delivery, and these factors influence repeat business.<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many delivery platforms and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/restroapp-food-delivery-app\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">restaurant apps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> charge fees on top of the menu price. Now, high delivery fees, minimum order values, and service charges can often make customers rethink whether an order is worth placing.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Long delivery times, whether due to traffic, delivery partner shortages, or poorly optimized fulfilment, are a frequent source of dissatisfaction. Studies have shown that most consumers <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.deliverect.com\/en\/blog\/trending\/top-statistics-on-food-delivery-to-know-in-2025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prioritize delivery speed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> over price when choosing a service.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consistent delivery performance encourages repeat orders more effectively than one-time discounts.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3><b>5. Drive-Thrus Promote Convenience<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite the growth of delivery, consumers still turn to self-pickup and drive-thru formats for fast food consumption, particularly outside dense city centers.<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many UK consumers choose click-and-collect to avoid delivery fees while maintaining speed and convenience. This option is especially popular for repeat orders where customers already know what they want and prefer not to pay a delivery premium.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the UK, drive-thru performs best in commuter corridors, retail parks, and suburban areas where car usage is higher, and speed is prioritized.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Major fast food operators continue to invest in drive-thru sites because they support high throughput during peak hours without increasing dine-in capacity.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Click-and-collect and drive-thru reduce reliance on third-party delivery services, eliminating commissions for operators while still meeting customer expectations around speed and ease of access.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h2><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fast food in the UK is growing because it continues to fit into everyday habits, with quick meals, familiar choices, predictable prices, and easy ordering.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For anyone tracking this market, the value lies in paying attention to these everyday signals rather than headline growth alone. The UK fast food sector rewards operators who understand routine behavior, remove friction where it matters, and stay aligned with how customers actually buy food today.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b6ce825 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b6ce825\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-28de07b elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"28de07b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;expanded&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-4280\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" open>\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-4280\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> 1. What percentage of the UK eats fast food? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zM124 296c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-56c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h264c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v56c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12H124z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zm144 276c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-92v92c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-56c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-92h-92c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-56c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h92v-92c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h56c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v92h92c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v56z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-4280\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-21eecc8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"21eecc8\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-05010dc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"05010dc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around 40% of people in the UK eat convenience food, including fast food, at least once a week, while roughly 7% report daily consumption.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-4281\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-4281\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> 2. How big is the fast food industry in the UK? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zM124 296c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-56c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h264c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v56c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12H124z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zm144 276c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-92v92c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-56c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-92h-92c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-56c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h92v-92c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h56c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v92h92c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v56z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-4281\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-566f7ab e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"566f7ab\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f587ffe elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f587ffe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The UK fast food market is valued at around \u00a340.5 billion in 2025 and continues to grow as a major part of eating-out spend.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-4282\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"3\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-4282\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> 3. What is the most eaten fast food in the UK? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zM124 296c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-56c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h264c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v56c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12H124z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zm144 276c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-92v92c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-56c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-92h-92c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-56c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h92v-92c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h56c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v92h92c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v56z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-4282\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-398041f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"398041f\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f261dc2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f261dc2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pizza is often the top choice of fast food for consumers in the UK market, traditionally outpacing other formats like burgers and fish &amp; chips in overall consumption.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-4283\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"4\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-4283\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> 4. What are the Statistics on fast food? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zM124 296c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-56c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h264c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v56c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12H124z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zm144 276c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-92v92c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-56c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-92h-92c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-56c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h92v-92c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h56c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v92h92c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v56z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-4283\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d4eaaa e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1d4eaaa\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aaa949d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"aaa949d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2024-25, the UK had around 49,000 fast food and takeaway outlets, employing over 468,000 people, making it one of the largest employment segments within UK foodservice.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-4284\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"5\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-4284\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> 5. What is the fastest-growing fast food chain in the UK? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zM124 296c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-56c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h264c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v56c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12H124z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zm144 276c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-92v92c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-56c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-92h-92c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-56c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h92v-92c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h56c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v92h92c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v56z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-4284\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1312be4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1312be4\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e3882ae elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e3882ae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Emerging chicken-focused brands such as Popeyes are expanding rapidly, planning dozens of new UK outlets alongside established chains like KFC and McDonald\u2019s.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-4285\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"6\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-4285\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> 6. Has there been an increase in fast food consumption? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zM124 296c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-56c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h264c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v56c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12H124z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zm144 276c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-92v92c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-56c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-92h-92c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-56c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h92v-92c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h56c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v92h92c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v56z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-4285\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d160719 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d160719\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e53bd2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4e53bd2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, in a 2025 UK study of family eating habits, 26% of people reported consuming takeaway, including fast food, at least once a week, while 74% said they eat it less than weekly, with 25% reporting increased frequency over time. This indicates that a notable share of consumers are eating fast food regularly.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-4286\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"7\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-4286\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\">  7. What is the growth rate of the fast food industry? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zM124 296c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-56c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h264c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v56c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12H124z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zm144 276c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-92v92c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-56c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-92h-92c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-56c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h92v-92c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h56c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v92h92c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v56z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-4286\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e64907a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e64907a\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c9a3fa8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c9a3fa8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The UK fast food industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.99% during 2025-2033 to reach $55.2 billion by 2033.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-4287\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"8\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-4287\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> 8. Is the demand for fast food increasing? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zM124 296c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-56c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h264c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v56c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12H124z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zm144 276c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-92v92c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-56c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-92h-92c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-56c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h92v-92c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h56c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v92h92c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v56z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-4287\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-800ca88 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"800ca88\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-614cd7e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"614cd7e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, convenience-led dining and preference for delivery channels have contributed to high demand, with delivery markets expanding and fast food remaining a frequent choice for many consumers.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-4288\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"9\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-4288\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> 9. Is the fast food industry growing or declining? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zM124 296c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-56c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h264c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v56c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12H124z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus-circle\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8zm144 276c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-92v92c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-56c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-92h-92c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-56c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h92v-92c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h56c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v92h92c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v56z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-4288\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d4e6099 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d4e6099\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2765d9a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2765d9a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overall, the UK fast food sector is growing, with revenue and market size increasing, though outlet growth has slowed compared with previous years.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fast food is a big part of what people eat in the UK, across age groups, locations, and meal occasions. From city centres to suburban high streets, the segment continues to attract steady footfall. This has made the segment one of the largest and most visible parts of the UK restaurant industry. But scale alone [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":18888,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18887","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-insights"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18887","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18887"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18887\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18917,"href":"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18887\/revisions\/18917"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18888"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18887"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18887"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.restroworks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18887"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}