Airport Quick Service Restaurant Global Market Report 2025

The airport quick service restaurant market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $175.55 billion in 2024 to $184.7 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising air travel, changing consumer preferences, airport expansion and renovation, focus on passenger experience, partnerships and concessions, technology, and digital ordering.

The airport quick service restaurant market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to " $225.3 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to technology integration, rising disposable income, sustainability and health trends, regulatory environment, competition and market saturation, and global events and tourism. Major trends in the forecast period include health-conscious menus, localized cuisine, sustainability initiatives, virtual brands and ghost kitchens, personalized experiences, innovative design and technology, cultural integration, and resilience and adaptability.

The forecast of 5.1% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.5% from the previous estimate for this market. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. The imposition of tariffs may pose a significant challenge for the U.S. by restricting access to high-speed kitchen equipment and automated ordering systems imported from Japan and Germany, potentially slowing service times and increasing operational costs for travelers. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The growth of the airport quick service restaurant market is anticipated to be driven by increases in air passenger traffic. Air passenger traffic, which measures the number of passengers traveling by air over specific periods such as days, months, quarters, or years, is on the rise due to enhanced accessibility of air travel and the expansion of airline routes. Airport quick service restaurants cater to this growing traffic by offering efficient and convenient dining solutions that allow travelers, airline crews, and airport staff to quickly grab meals without disrupting their schedules. In November 2023, Eurostat, the Luxembourg-based statistical office of the European Union (EU), reported a notable increase in air passenger volume for 2022, with figures reaching 820 million, a 119.3% increase from the previous year, underscoring the impact of increased air travel on the demand for quick service dining options in airports.

Leading enterprises in the airport quick service restaurant market are leveraging advanced technologies to enhance competitive advantage. One such innovation is the introduction of airport-based pickup-only concepts, which are dining outlets within airport terminals dedicated solely to food and beverage takeaway orders. For example, in September 2023, Starbucks Corporation, in partnership with OTG, a US-based airport hospitality group, launched its inaugural Starbucks Pickup concept at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. This format is tailored for efficiency, enabling digitally savvy travelers to place orders via the Starbucks app, monitor their order's status on digital displays, and swiftly collect their purchases upon readiness, thereby optimizing the traveler experience.

In November 2023, Lagardère Travel Retail, a France-based travel retail operator, acquired Tastes on the Fly for an undisclosed sum. This strategic acquisition extends Paradies Lagardère’s reach, the parent company of Lagardère Travel Retail, across over 90 airports, bolstering its portfolio with more than 100 branded and proprietary dining concepts, spanning from full-service to fast-casual establishments. Tastes on the Fly is a US-based company that specializes in providing airport quick service dining solutions.

An airport quick service restaurant is a type of eatery located within airport terminals, designed to offer travelers expedited dining options ranging from fast food to casual meals. These establishments focus on providing quick service and convenience, appealing to passengers seeking a rapid meal or snack prior to their flights. They typically feature a streamlined menu, efficient ordering processes, and limited seating to efficiently cater to the needs of travelers with tight schedules.

The primary categories of airport quick service restaurants include fast foods and meals, beverages, and bakery and confectionery. The fast foods and meals segment consists of a variety of ready-to-eat items that are prepared and served quickly to accommodate passengers' tight schedules. These restaurants operate under various franchise models, including well-known branded chains and local brands, and are presented in different formats such as standalone outlets, kiosks, and food courts. They serve a diverse clientele at both domestic and international airports, catering to the needs of travelers seeking quick and convenient dining options.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sharp rise in U.S. tariffs and resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are significantly affecting the hospitality sector, especially in areas reliant on imported food and beverage products, furnishings, electronics, and kitchen equipment. Hotels and restaurants are grappling with increased costs for items such as imported wine, seafood, coffee machines, linens, and smart appliances, many of which lack viable domestic substitutes. Budget and mid-range hospitality operators, already working with narrow profit margins, are particularly at risk, with some opting to scale back services or postpone renovations to control costs. Event venues and catering businesses are also facing challenges due to higher prices for imported décor, lighting, and audiovisual gear. In response, the sector is increasingly turning to local suppliers for food and furnishings, renegotiating contracts, and pushing for tariff exemptions on essential imports.

The airport quick service restaurant market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides airport quick service restaurant market statistics, including airport quick service restaurant industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an airport quick service restaurant market share, detailed airport quick service restaurant market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the airport quick service restaurant industry. This airport quick service restaurant market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Major companies operating in the airport quick service restaurant market are Starbucks Corporation, McDonald's Corporation, Subway IP LLC, Lagardère Travel Retail, Yum! Brands Inc., Chick Fil A Inc., Panda Restaurant Group Inc., Autogrill SpA, SSP Group plc, Baskin-Robbins, Wendys, Taco Bell IP Holder LLC, Burger King Company LLC, DUNKIN BRANDS, Costa Limited, HMSHost International BV, Haldiram's India Pvt Ltd., Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd., Devyani International Limited, OTG Management, Café Coffee Day, Cakes & Bakes, Wow! Momo Foods Private Limited, Casual Food GmbH.

North America was the largest region in the airport quick service restaurant market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the airport quick service restaurant market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the airport quick service restaurant market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The airport quick service restaurant market consists of sales of local and regional cuisines, grab-and-go outlets, and specialty food outlets. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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