Contract Food Service Management Global Market Report 2025

The contract food service management market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $200.52 billion in 2024 to $213.08 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising demand for institutional catering services, increased outsourcing of food operations, greater awareness of food safety standards, expansion of corporate dining facilities, and growth in food services within the healthcare and education sectors.

The contract food service management market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $267.95 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising preference for healthy and organic meals, increasing focus on sustainability and eco-friendly practices, growing adoption of managed food service contracts in emerging markets, greater emphasis on personalized nutrition plans, and higher collaboration with local food suppliers. Key trends in the forecast period include adoption of plant-based and alternative protein offerings, growth of cloud and ghost kitchens, integration of AI-driven menu planning, implementation of zero-waste initiatives, and partnerships with wellness and health-focused brands.

The growth of the hospitality and travel sector has fueled the expansion of the contract food service management market during the historic period. The sector includes businesses providing lodging, food, transportation, and entertainment to travelers and tourists for comfort and convenience. Expansion is supported by rising disposable incomes, enabling more spending on leisure, vacations, and travel, which boosts demand for hotels, restaurants, and tourism services. Contract food service management provides customized dining solutions for hotels, resorts, and travel facilities, enhancing guest satisfaction and operational efficiency. For example, in December 2023, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that domestic tourism consumption in 2022-23 increased by $34.9 billion to $124.9 billion, while international tourism consumption rose by $17.7 billion to $23.6 billion. Therefore, the growth of the hospitality and travel sector has driven the contract food service management market.

Major companies in the contract food service management market are developing robotic meal service systems to enhance efficiency and provide round-the-clock meal availability for healthcare staff. A robotic meal service system uses automated technology to prepare, assemble, and serve customizable meals with minimal human involvement. For example, in October 2025, Aramark Corporation, a US-based management service company, partnered with Roboeatz Ltd., a Canada-based food-tech firm, to launch 24/7 robotic meal service for healthcare staff using RoboEatz's Autonomous Robotic Kitchen technology. These systems can prepare fresh meals from up to 80 ingredients within a compact 400-square-foot space and integrate with digital platforms for automated food preparation and service, improving accessibility, consistency, and convenience during late-night hours.

In January 2025, Upper Crust Food Service, LLC, a US-based contract food service management company, acquired College Fresh Inc. for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition enables Upper Crust Food Service to expand its presence in the college and university dining sector and enhance operational capabilities. College Fresh, Inc. is a US-based company specializing in contract food service management solutions.

Major companies operating in the contract food service management market are Compass Group PLC, Sodexo S.A., Aramark Corporation, ISS A/S, Elior Group S.A., HMSHost Corporation, Delaware North Companies Inc., SSP Group plc, Performance Food Group Company, OCS Group Holdings Ltd., ABM Industries Incorporated, Gulf Catering Company, Avolta AG, Healthcare Services Group Inc., Thompson Hospitality Corporation, SATS LTD., AVI Foodsystems Inc., Centerplate Inc., Guckenheimer Enterprises Inc., Taher Inc., Mitie Group PLC, CH&CO Catering Group Limited, The RK Group LLC, National Catering Services & Foodstuff Company LLC, Bartlett Mitchell Limited, Conntrak Catering Services Ltd., and Cater Care Holdings Pty. Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the contract food service management market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the contract food service management market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the contract food service management market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

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 rapid escalation of U.S. tariffs and the resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are significantly impacting the services sector, particularly in business services, IT, and professional consulting operations. Higher costs for imported technology, office equipment, and essential digital infrastructure have raised operating expenses for service providers, forcing them to either pass on costs to clients or absorb margin pressures. Outsourcing firms and IT service companies are also facing challenges due to increased costs of hardware components and delayed global supply chains, affecting project delivery timelines and profitability. Additionally, retaliatory tariffs have dampened demand for U.S.-based professional services in key international markets, leading to a slowdown in export-driven revenue streams. The sector must now prioritize digital transformation, cost optimization, and expanding domestic client bases to sustain growth and maintain competitiveness amid ongoing trade uncertainty.

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

Contract food service management is the outsourcing of food service operations to specialized companies that handle planning, preparation, and delivery of meals. It ensures consistent quality, cost efficiency, and adherence to hygiene standards while allowing organizations to focus on their core activities.

The main service types of food service management include business and industry catering, education catering, healthcare catering, restaurant and fast food services, event catering, and sports and leisure catering. Business and industry catering involves food services for employees in workplaces such as offices, factories, and corporate facilities. Service models include on-site management, off-site management, self-managed services, third-party managed services, and mobile food services. Contract types include volume-based contracts, cost plus contracts, profit and loss contracts, management fee contracts, and bundled service contracts such as integrated facility management. End-users include corporates, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, arenas and sporting events, government facilities, and commercial foodservice providers.

The contract food service management market includes revenues earned by entities through menu planning and development, staff recruitment and training, procurement and supply chain management, quality and safety compliance, and customer experience management. 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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