Credit crunch won’t stop people eating out, says research

Consumers are still likely to continue eating out in the run-up to Christmas despite the economic downturn, research has found.

The survey, in which Survey Shack questioned more than 1,000 UK diners, showed that nearly two thirds of them (62%) plan to eat out the same as or more than they did during the festive season last year.

Nearly two-thirds (63%) said price wasn’t the major factor influencing whether they chose to eat out or not, and 77% said they would pay more if a meal was made from high-quality ingredients.

While two-thirds (67%) of diners said that eating out is their favourite way of celebrating a special occasion, 42% said they felt frustrated with the lack of variety on offer when dining out.

Adrian Greaves, associate director at McCain Foodservice, which commissioned the survey, said the research showed that there was still cause for optimism in the industry despite the economic challenges.

“Outlets need to embrace the festive period and more importantly focus on what their customers really want: variety, inspiration and indulgence,” he said.

McCain Foodservice won the Food or Drink Supplier Website category in this week’s inaugural Caterersearch Web Awards.

• Restaurateur Marco Pierre White has teamed up with McCain to serve the company’s chips at his Frankie’s chain of restaurants.

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By Kerstin Kühn

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