The UK Food to Go Market Report 2025 reveals that food to go is forecast to outpace total eating out market growth at +3.3% versus +2.5%, respectively.
Food to go is set to hold a 23.6% share of the total eating out market, up 0.6 percentage points from 2019.
The report states that the market has attracted investment from an array of channels including fast food, convenience stores and sandwich & bakery, fuelled by persistent demand for convenient options on the go.
Affluent millennials in management roles in London are driving the market forward, led by spending power and a stronger return to offices.
The lunchtime daypart saw the most notable growth in share of occasions in the last year, rising 1.0 percentage point to 32.2%, driven by rising trade on Mondays and Wednesdays.
A ‘mixed outlook’
By contrast, outlet growth across the market is set to slow down when compared to 2023 and 2024, with higher staff and business costs set to translate into more modest site investment.
The food to go market is forecast to see outlet growth of 1.2% year-on-year, to a total of 155,711 sites, the equivalent of 34 net new openings every week.
“Food to go will face a mixed outlook in 2025 with a continued volatile economic backdrop,” the report states.
Elsewhere, the report reveals that demand for elevated classics and functional health in food and drink to go highlights an opportunity to drive transaction values.
“Consumer demand for higher quality and healthier products is strengthening, with very quality-led and very health-conscious psychographics increasing year-on-year to beyond 2022 levels,” the report says.
“Operators are elevating classics including sandwiches and adding functional ingredients including lion’s mane into drinks and food items to offer consumers accessible ways to boost health.”
Looking further ahead, an easing economic tailwinds and enduring demand for food on the go is expected to result in a market value of £26bn in 2028.
“Operators will need to invest in operations to realise growth opportunities and mitigate rising costs,” the report continues.
“Technology investment should be considered as service automation success can vary.”
To find out more and access the Lumina Intelligence UK Food to Go Market Report 2025 in full, click here.