Food Away From Home Market Report 2026

The food away from home market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $4.83 trillion in 2025 to $5.04 trillion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to urbanization and changing lifestyles, growth of restaurant culture, rising disposable incomes, expansion of tourism and travel dining, increasing participation of women in the workforce.

The food away from home market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.95 trillion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing penetration of food delivery apps, expansion of cloud kitchens, rising demand for personalized dining experiences, growth of sustainable and ethical dining, increasing use of digital payments in food services. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of online food ordering platforms, rising demand for convenience dining options, growing expansion of chain restaurants, enhanced focus on experiential dining concepts, expansion of delivery and takeaway models.

The growing expansion of fast-food restaurants is expected to propel the growth of the food-away-from-home market going forward. Fast-food restaurants, also referred to as fast food outlets, are a type of restaurant that serves quickly prepared and pre-cooked meals with limited table service. The rise of fast-food restaurants is driven by demand for convenient and diverse dining options, busy lifestyles, and evolving taste preferences. By offering quick and affordable meal options, fast-food restaurants attract busy individuals and cost-conscious consumers through value meals and promotions. For instance, in 2024, according to Aviko, a Netherlands-based food company, the UK fast-food industry grew from £20.61 billion in 2022 to £22.04 billion in 2023, while the share of UK consumers eating at fast-food restaurants increased to 45% in 2023. Therefore, the growing expansion of fast-food restaurants is driving the growth of the food-away-from-home market.

Leading companies in the food-away-from-home market are prioritizing technological advancements, such as adopting an "AI-first" strategy, to boost operational efficiency and empower their workforce across fast-food chains. This strategy involves integrating artificial intelligence comprehensively into operations to streamline processes, reduce costs, and improve customer interactions. For example, Yum! Brands introduced the SuperApp platform in April 2024, tailored for restaurant managers at Pizza Hut and KFC locations. This AI-powered smartphone app allows staff to seek operational guidance via a generative AI chatbot, eliminating the need for traditional training manuals. Additionally, employees can manage schedules and order supplies through the app, enhancing overall restaurant management.

In May 2024, Restaurant Brands International Inc., based in Canada, acquired Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. for $1 billion, expanding its market presence in the fast-food hamburger and chicken sectors in the United States. This acquisition aims to strengthen RBI's brand portfolio and franchise relationships through planned refurbishments and refranchising efforts. Carrols Restaurant Group Inc., known for operating over 1,000 Burger King and Popeyes locations, significantly enhances RBI's position in the competitive food-away-from-home market.

Major companies operating in the food away from home market are Starbucks Corporation, Compass Group PLC, Sodexo, McDonald's, Aramark, Subway IP LLC, Darden Concepts Inc., Chipotle Mexican Grill, Yum Brands, Restaurant Brands International Inc., Zensho Holdings Co. Ltd., Whataburger, Domino's Pizza, Panda Restaurant Group Inc., Brinker International Inc., Greene King, SATS Ltd., Burger King Company LLC, Papa John's International Inc., Shake Shack, Jubilant FoodWorks.

North America was the largest region in the food away from home market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the food away from home market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the food away from home market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The food away from home market includes revenues earned by entities by providing services such as meal preparation, dining experience, menu variety, and buffet service. 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 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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