Catering Services and Food Contractors Global Market Report 2024

The catering services and food contractors market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $286.33 billion in 2023 to $303.16 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%. The historical growth can be attributed to robust economic growth in emerging markets, a growing preference for healthy food in the workplace, and an increase in the tourism industry.

The catering services and food contractors market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $388.29 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4%. Forecasted growth is fueled by a rising population and urbanization. Key trends include adopting intelligent methods such as artificial intelligence, offering natural and GMO-free food products, geographical expansion, and launching new services for improved product portfolios and revenues.

The expansion of the catering services and food contractors market is bolstered by anticipated stable economic growth in various developed and developing nations. Recovering commodity prices following a significant historical decline are poised to further support market growth. Projections indicate sustained stability in developed economies during the forecast period, while emerging markets are anticipated to exhibit slightly swifter growth compared to developed counterparts. For example, according to the Reserve Bank of India, India's GDP is expected to ascend by 9.5% in 2022, while China is forecasted to achieve a GDP growth rate of 5.5% in the same year. Such economic stability forecasts are predicted to escalate the demand for services within this industry, thereby propelling market expansion throughout the forecast period.

The surge in food delivery and takeout services stands as a significant driver propelling the growth trajectory of the catering services and food contractors market. The realm of food delivery and takeout services involves providing customers with prepared meals from eateries, cafes, or similar establishments for consumption off-site. Catering services and food contractors play pivotal roles as primary suppliers for these services, offering an array of menu options and efficiently prepared meals. This enables food delivery and takeout services to provide customers with a wider selection and meet their demands for high-quality cuisine. As evidenced by statistics from the UK's Office for National Statistics in October 2022, the country witnessed a notable increase, with 43,705 takeaway food shops and mobile food stands, marking a 7.17% upsurge from the previous year's count of 40,570. Consequently, the burgeoning trend in food delivery and takeout services drives the expansion of the catering services and food contractors market.

Food catering companies are increasingly forging alliances to cater to schools, colleges, and universities while simultaneously delving into the development of mobile applications aimed at providing customized food options tailored to individual preferences. A prime example occurred in March 2021, when Sodexo, a prominent food service and facilities management company, announced a collaboration with HelloFresh, a leader in meal kits. This partnership aimed to distribute HelloFresh and EveryPlate meal kits to students across more than 300 colleges and universities in the United States. Through Sodexo's BiteU app, students were empowered to pre-select, order, and schedule meal kits for delivery. HelloFresh offered students a diverse weekly menu to cater to various dietary preferences, including vegetarian, low-calorie, and quick-and-easy meal options. EveryPlate provided an assortment of straightforward and cost-effective chef-curated recipes, encompassing vegetarian and gourmet selections.

Major players within the catering services and food contractors market are intensifying their focus on introducing subscription-based contract catering, leveraging this approach to gain a competitive advantage. Subscription-based contract catering involves contractual agreements wherein companies or organizations engage catering service providers for the consistent delivery of meals or food services. For instance, in January 2021, Bartlett Mitchell, a UK-based catering and hospitality firm, launched Mosaic, a novel subscription-based contract catering and facilities management model. This innovative model offers clients access to a spectrum of services, including hospitality, reception, cleaning, and other facilities management amenities, all under a subscription-based fee structure. The flexibility inherent in this subscription-based model empowers clients to pay solely for the services they require, granting them greater control over catering and facility management expenditures. Additionally, Mosaic is designed to be exceptionally adaptable and agile, enabling clients to effortlessly adjust their service scale based on their evolving needs.

Major companies operating in the catering services and food contractors market report are Compass Group PLC, Sodexo, Inc., Aramark Corporation, Elior Group S.A, Autogrill S.p.A, Samsung C&T Corporation, Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Subway, SSP Group PLC, DO & CO Aktiengesellschaft, Shanghai Wagas Catering Co., Ltd., Yum China Holdings Inc., Chefs Culinar Nord GmbH & Co KG, BaxterStorey, Kofler & Kompanie GmbH, Searcys, Bun Apetit Catering, Gaspar's, Kyiv Catering, Premier Catering, Resto-Rātors, jezeršek catering, Wolfgang Puck Catering, CulinArt Group, Oliver & Bonacini Events and Catering, Encore Catering, Presidential Gourmet, Sapore, Nutriplus Alimentação, Banquetería Santa Brasa, Middle East, Emirates Flight Catering, Royal Catering, Qatar Aircraft Catering Company, Sawhney Foodstuff Tr.Co.LLC., Saudi Airlines Catering, Gulf Catering Company, Tsebo Solutions Group, Feedem Group, Food Concepts PLC, Meikles Limited, Ghada Nawara, Servest Catering.

Western Europe was the largest region in the catering services and food contractors market in 2023. North America was the second largest region in the catering services and food contractors market. The regions covered in the catering services and food contractors market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the catering services and food contractors market report are Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Hong Kong, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, France, Germany, UK, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iran, Turkey, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa. The catering services and food contractors market includes revenues earned by entities by providing single event-based food services or food services at an institutional, governmental, commercial, or industrial location of others based on contractual arrangements with these types of organizations for a specified period of time. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.


The primary types of catering services and food contractors include food service contractors and catering services. Catering services encompass providing food service at various remote or specific locations, such as hotels, hospitals, pubs, airlines, cruise ships, parks, filming locations, studios, entertainment venues, or event spaces. These services are offered by both chained and standalone entities and cater to various sectors, including corporate, educational institutions, healthcare, industrial, hospitality, sports and leisure, among others.

The catering services and food contractors market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides catering services and food contractors market statistics, including catering services and food contractors industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a catering services and food contractors market share, detailed catering services and food contractors market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the catering services and food contractors industry. This catering services and food contractors 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.

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.