Major Survey into Irish attitudes to Food and Eating Out Reveals Irish Consumers Spending up to €7 Billion on Eating Out.
2005: A food revolution is underway in Ireland with an estimated €6 - €7 billion now being spent on eating outside the home but despite our growing ethnic population and our annual holidays abroad, ‘meat and two veg’ remains the most popular dish among the Irish, a major survey into Irish attitudes to food has revealed.
ARAMARK/Campbell Catering, Ireland’s largest catering company, commissioned Amárach Consulting to conduct the in-depth research into the Eating Out Market in Ireland.
Amárach Consulting’s Report, ‘Food For Thought’ which is published today reveals that:
Almost every one of us – 95% of the Irish population eats outside the home during the year.
Over 40% of respondents agreed that they were eating outside the home more often than they used to.
The average spend in restaurants is €38.15 per visit, with spending in pubs in second place with an average spend of €15.08 per visit.
In terms of perceived value, pubs and restaurants at work provide the best value, while fast food outlets and vending machines are perceived to provide lower value for money.
Over half (52%) of those who eat outside the home, do so at lunchtime.
‘Meat and Two Veg’ remains the favourite food, particularly in the 55-74 age group, although among 15 –34 year olds, Chinese food is the firm favourite.
Over one third of consumers (35%) are looking for healthy options when eating out.
But despite this growing awareness of health issues, almost one in four adults in Ireland often skip breakfast and almost one in five often skip lunch.
Commenting on the survey, Joan O’Shaughnessy, CEO, ARAMARK/Campbell Catering said; “For the first time in our history, eating out has surpassed spending on food to eat at home and our relatively youthful and affluent population is an ideal background for further strong growth in eating out trends. Irish consumers are becoming more mature in their attitude to their diet and this research confirms a trend we have been noting, that there is a growing demand for healthy options and information about the food that is being served in our restaurants.
“A startling statistic in this research is that 1 in 4 adults in Ireland skip the most important meal of the day, breakfast. We feed over 250,000 people every day and we take our responsibility to their health very seriously. We are working with our clients to encourage more of our customers to eat a breakfast at work, if they are unable to do so at home. Making healthy breakfast meals available early in the morning is one consideration for employers who will benefit from a more healthy and productive workforce”, she said.
Gerard O’Neill, Chief Executive, Amárach Consulting said; “In terms of eating out, this research confirms to some extent that the revolution is complete and we are now in a state of evolution where consumers are becoming more aware, more demanding and seeking greater value for money.
“In the short term, the vast majority of people expect to keep on spending as they currently do on eating out, with 21% of the 15 – 24 year olds expect that their spending on eating out will grow even further.
“The good news is that quality is perceived to have improved in pubs, sandwich bars, restaurants and in restaurants at work. Pubs in particular, which have been affected in recent times by a decline in alcohol sales and the smoking ban, have a large opportunity and we expect pub food sales to rise from a current industry estimate of approximately 15% - 20% to perhaps 50% in certain city centre outlets with a strong lunch time trade”.
“With so many people now eating outside the home, there are implications for the Government’s strategy on obesity and the eating out sector will potentially play a key role in promoting a healthier diet in the general population”, he added.
About the Survey
Food Futures Studies is the first in a series of annual surveys designed to track the development of Ireland’s food market. The research is based on a nationally representative survey of 1000 Irish consumers aged between 15 and 74. Participants were interviewed face to face in their own homes by a trained field researcher in July 2005.The report was commissioned from Amárach Consulting by ARAMARK/ Campbell Catering.
About Amárach Consulting
Amárach Consulting is one of Ireland’s leading market research companies. Since its foundation in 1989, the company has provided unique insights into the Irish marketplace and as the name suggests, on likely future trends and directions.
Amárach is an independent Irish owned company, owned by the management team. The company carries out research into a wide variety of different areas, including energy, financial services, technology usage, youth and media research and sponsorship. Amárach Consulting clients include all different types of organisations, from global multinationals who wish to focus on the Irish market to people with a new business idea that they wish to have explored and researched. The company carries out social research studies and research for the third level sector. In essence, Amárach Consulting provides Independent Insight through research for their clients.