Outsourced Food Services Market Report 2026

The outsourced food services market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $254.66 billion in 2025 to $275.41 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of corporate dining facilities, growth of healthcare and education institutions, rising operational cost pressures, increasing demand for professional foodservice management, expansion of multi-site facilities.

The outsourced food services market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $372.48 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing adoption of digital ordering and delivery systems, rising focus on sustainable and ethical sourcing, expansion of flexible contract foodservice models, growing integration of automation in food preparation, increasing demand for diverse cuisine offerings. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing outsourcing of institutional food operations, rising demand for customized menu solutions, growing adoption of central kitchen models, expansion of technology-enabled foodservice management, enhanced focus on cost optimization and efficiency.

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 2025. 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, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the outsourced food services market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

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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