Record Spending, but Fewer Visits
At this year’s European Foodservice Summit, Jochen Pinsker, Industry Advisor Foodservice Europe at Circana, presented the latest insights into Europe’s out-of-home market. The data reveal a striking development: while consumer spending on eating out in Europe’s five largest markets has reached record highs, the number of visits remains well below pre-pandemic levels.
Between June 2019 and June 2025, consumer spending in the “EU Big 5” (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK) rose by 10 percent. At the same time, total visits remain 10 percent lower than in 2019.
“We’re witnessing a reset in European foodservice,” Pinsker said in Amsterdam. “Consumers are striking a new balance between indulgence and affordability, health and convenience, social occasions and solo dining.”
Country Comparison: UK Struggles, Germany Shows Potential
The pace of recovery varies considerably across markets. The United Kingdom continues to struggle the most: visit numbers are still 21 percent below 2019 levels – the largest gap in Europe. Germany, by contrast, is emerging as a growth market. Circana forecasts an increase of 1.6 percent in visits by 2026 compared with 2025, driven largely by the growing adoption of digital ordering and delivery.
France also remains behind 2019 levels, with visits down 9 percent. However, consumers there are spending more per occasion, signalling a shift in purchasing behavior.
Italy shows greater resilience: visits are only 4 percent below pre-Covid levels, one of the more moderate declines in Europe. Spain also stands at minus 4 percent but is recovering more slowly. For 2026, only marginal growth of 0.2 percent compared with 2025 is forecast.
The Rise of Solo Dining – and Social Occasions
Another striking trend is the rise of solo dining. Between 2010 and 2019, spending in this segment surged by 153 percent. Today, 15.6 percent of full-service restaurant visits are solo occasions, up from just 9.4 percent in 2016.
The UK is leading this shift: with 54 percent of adults working part-time from home, traditional group lunches are giving way to quick, individual meals. In urban centres, professionals increasingly opt for sushi boxes, salads, or grab-and-go café options.
At the same time, social dining is also gaining momentum. In the 12 months to June 2025, 31 percent of all out-of-home occasions were socially driven – up from 29.8 percent in 2021.
Value Deals and Delivery Shape Consumer Choices
Price sensitivity is rising, and promotions play a growing role. One in three dining occasions now includes a discount or combo meal. In 2022, the share was 29.9 percent. Delivery continues to reshape the market. In Germany and France, demand has surpassed pandemic peaks. Two-thirds of delivery occasions now replace home cooking. Aggregators such as Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Just Eat are driving this shift. Their share of total foodservice visits has nearly quadrupled since 2016, reaching 3.7 percent across Europe.
Health and Lifestyle Trends Influence Menus
Changing consumption patterns are also visible in beverages. In the first half of 2025, alcoholic servings in the Big 5 markets fell 7 percent year-on-year. Non-alcoholic alternatives increased by 2 percent, while tap water rose by 5 percent.
“Eating out is becoming more personal,” Pinsker concluded. “For some, it’s about a quick solo lunch, for others, it’s tapas with friends. The key is that consumers shape dining occasions around their lifestyles – not the other way around.”
A Fragmented but Opportunity-Rich Market
According to Circana, Europe’s foodservice market is more fragmented and dynamic than ever. Operators that will thrive are those who combine value-driven strategies with digital and delivery innovation, while also adapting to local eating habits and the growing demand for health-conscious options.
