UK Contract Catering Market Report 2022

The UK Contract Catering market report examines the impact of COVID-19 on the market, new delivery platforms, and the development of a hybrid model in the UK contract catering market. This market report covers the contract catering market size, market forecast, market segmentation and industry trends for the UK contract catering market. 

Current UK Contract Catering Market Landscape

The emergence of the Omicron variant had a significant impact on the UK contract catering market’s activities during Q4 2021, highlighted by the fact that only 58% businesses involved in accommodation and foodservice activities reported that they were fully trading during the two weeks to 9 January 2022.

Although the government’s response to the latest wave was comparatively lighter, the new variant nonetheless significantly impacted the UK contract catering market through its effect on consumer engagement and led to an increase in homeworking and disruption to travel activity.

Contract Catering Market Size and Industry Statistics

COVID-19 will continue to pose a threat to the UK contract catering market in the near term, particularly through its impact on office occupancy and on the retail sector. The pandemic has driven divestment in office and retail property, meaning the sector can no longer rely on its traditional model to serve them.

• Contract Catering Market Size: The UK contract catering market value rose 36% to £4.4 billion. This was still 25% lower than its pre-pandemic size.
• The use of ‘dark’ kitchens grew significantly over 2020/21.

Future Trends in the UK Contract Catering Market 

Mintel’s UK contract catering market research forecasts investment in centralised production kitchens will help to open the door to a hybrid model of catering which is better able to incorporate the operational agility and contractual flexibility necessary to adapt to the pandemic.

To discover more about the UK Contract Catering Market Report 2022, read our UK Pub Catering Market Report 2022, or take a look at our Foodservice Market Research Reports.

Quickly Understand

• The impact of COVID-19 on the UK contract catering market.
• Market sizing and forecasting for the UK contract catering market.
• The sector’s development of a hybridised model.
• The role of investment in technology and new practices in the face of competition from delivery platforms.
• How emerging practices will synergise with consumer interest in non-meat food and help address short-term cost pressures.
• Explores the contract catering market size and industry trends in the UK contract catering market.

Covered in this Report

Sectors of the UK contract catering market: Business, local authorities, education, healthcare, defence, remote sites (oil rigs) retail catering.

Brands: Aramark Limited, BaxterStorey, CH&CO Catering Group, Compass Contract Catering UK, Elior UK, SSP Group, Just Eats, Deliveroo.

Expert analysis from a specialist in the UK Contract Catering Market

This report, written by Francesco Salau, a leading analyst in the B2B sector, delivers in-depth commentary and analysis to highlight current trends in the contract catering market and add expert context to the numbers.

The reopening of the economy benefited contract caterers, paving the beginning of the UK contract catering market’s recovery in 2021. The year also highlighted the substantial impact of COVID-19 on the sector and its continued susceptibility to the outbreak. This has driven investment into centralised kitchens and digital platforms to adapt services to a post-pandemic environment, offering greater flexibility for caterers and their clients.

Francesco Salau
B2B Analyst