Outsourced Food Services Global Market Report 2025

The outsourced food services market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $235.1 billion in 2024 to $254.66 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.3%. The growth during the historic period is attributed to the rising demand for cost efficiency, increasing adoption in educational institutions, expansion in the corporate sector, growing travel and tourism, and rising customization and menu innovation.

The outsourced food services market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $345.83 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising preference for healthy and diverse food options, increasing adoption of digital ordering platforms, growing focus on employee wellness, and greater regulatory emphasis on food safety. Key trends in the forecast period include advancements in automation and kitchen technology, expanded use of AI-powered kitchen management, development of sustainable and eco-friendly food options, innovations in personalized nutrition and custom menus, and progress in contactless payment and ordering systems.

The rising awareness of food safety and hygiene standards fueled growth in the outsourced food services market during the historic period. Food safety and hygiene standards include regulations and practices to prevent contamination and protect consumer health. Awareness is increasing due to stricter regulations and consumer demand for safe, high-quality food. Outsourced food services support this trend through certified safety protocols, staff training, and advanced sanitation systems. For instance, in December 2024, the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs reported that between 2023 and 2024, 96.8 percent of inspected food businesses in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland received satisfactory or higher ratings, while 92.3 percent in Scotland achieved a pass. Therefore, awareness of food safety and hygiene standards drove growth in the outsourced food services market.

Major companies in the outsourced food services market are developing outsourcing solutions for hiring and regulatory compliance to improve operational efficiency, scalability, and compliance management. Outsourcing hiring involves delegating recruitment activities, including sourcing, screening, interviewing, and onboarding, to external service providers, helping businesses optimize workforce management. In June 2024, Zomato Limited, an India-based food-tech platform, launched its Restaurant Services Hub to support restaurant partners with outsourced hiring and regulatory compliance through verified vendors. The platform streamlines staff recruitment, GST and FSSAI registration, and trademark compliance. By centralizing services in a digital hub, it saves time, reduces compliance risks, and enables faster scaling in a competitive industry.

In September 2024, Sodexo, a France-based provider of food catering, facilities management, and workplace experience services, acquired Aramark for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition aims to significantly increase its U.S. market reach and reinforce global leadership in outsourced food and facilities services. Aramark is a US-based provider of food, hospitality, uniform, and facilities management services, with outsourced food services as a core offering.

Major companies operating in the outsourced food services market are Compass Group plc, ISS A/S (International Service System), Gategroup Holding AG, Aramark Corporation, Elior Group S.A., Select Service Partner Group plc (SSP Group Plc), Delaware North Companies Inc., Sodexo S.A. (Centerplate Inc.), HMSHost Corporation, BaxterStorey Limited, Restaurant Associates, Atalian Global Services S.A.S., ICS Foods Private Limited, Guckenheimer Enterprises Inc., Olive Catering Services Limited, Thompson Hospitality Corporation, Fusion Foods and Catering Private Limited, Healthcare Services Group Inc., Atithi Industrial Solution Private Limited, Caterleisure Limited, Lexington Catering Limited, Shree Chakra Gourmet Services Private Limited, and Eurest Services.

North America was the largest region in the outsourced food services market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the outsourced food services market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the outsourced food services 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 accelerated imposition of U.S. tariffs and the emerging trade conflicts in spring 2025 are significantly influencing the food and beverage sector by raising the costs for imported ingredients including olive oil, cheese, and tropical fruits, forcing food brands to reformulate products or accept lower margins. Beverage makers face similar pressures, with aluminum can tariffs increasing packaging expenses. Retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural exports (e.g., soybeans, pork) have also disrupted farm-to-processing supply chains. Companies are reformulating recipes, sourcing locally where possible, and hedging commodity purchases to manage volatility.

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

Outsourced food services involve contracting external companies to manage and operate food preparation, catering, and dining operations. These services are commonly employed in schools, hospitals, corporations, and government institutions. They help reduce costs, enhance operational efficiency, and provide a variety of meal options to meet consumer needs.

The main service types of outsourced food services are catering services, food truck services, restaurant management services, event food services, and vending services. Catering services involve third-party providers delivering prepared food and meal services for events, institutions, or workplaces, including cooking, serving, and managing operations on behalf of clients. Cuisine types include Western, Asian, local and traditional, fusion, specialty diets, and fast food options, while contract types include fixed price, cost plus, and others. Services operate through on-site preparation or off-site central kitchen delivery and serve end-users such as corporate businesses, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, sports and entertainment venues, and residential communities.

The outsourced food services market includes revenues earned by entities through contract-based catering, meal planning, food preparation, delivery, and facility dining services. 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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