Food Away From Home

Global Food Away From Home Market to Reach US$129.7 Million by 2030

The global market for Food Away From Home estimated at US$118.7 Million in the year 2024, is expected to reach US$129.7 Million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 1.5% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Dine in, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is expected to record a 1.6% CAGR and reach US$85.3 Million by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the Take Away segment is estimated at 1.1% CAGR over the analysis period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at US$32.3 Million While China is Forecast to Grow at 2.9% CAGR

The Food Away From Home market in the U.S. is estimated at US$32.3 Million in the year 2024. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$23.7 Million by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 2.9% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at a CAGR of 0.6% and 1.3% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 0.8% CAGR.

Global Food Away From Home Market – Key Trends & Drivers Summarized

Why Is Dining Outside the Home Becoming a Mainstay of Modern Lifestyles?

The global "Food Away From Home" (FAFH) market is witnessing sustained growth as changing lifestyles, urbanization, and evolving work patterns reshape how consumers approach meals. Dining out—whether at full-service restaurants, fast-food outlets, cafes, food trucks, or institutional canteens—has shifted from a convenience to a routine aspect of daily life. Time-constrained households, particularly dual-income families and urban professionals, are increasingly outsourcing meal preparation, opting for readily available and diverse food options outside the home. The rise of social dining, food tourism, and experiential cuisine has also made eating out a preferred leisure activity among millennials and Gen Z. Moreover, globalization has led to the proliferation of international cuisines, expanding consumer palates and encouraging culinary experimentation. In many urban centers, cafes and quick-service restaurants (QSRs) now serve as social hubs or alternative workspaces, further embedding them in everyday life. The increase in disposable incomes across developing economies has unlocked new demand for organized dining experiences, turning FAFH into a cultural and economic phenomenon. As consumer habits evolve from occasional indulgence to habitual dining, food away from home is fast becoming a permanent fixture of the global food consumption landscape.

How Are Technology and Consumer Preferences Transforming the Industry?

Technological advancements and changing consumer expectations are revolutionizing the food away from home market, creating new business models and reshaping service delivery. Online ordering platforms, mobile apps, digital payment systems, and AI-powered recommendation engines have significantly enhanced customer convenience and loyalty. The explosive growth of food delivery aggregators like Uber Eats, DoorDash, Zomato, and Deliveroo has redefined accessibility, enabling consumers to enjoy restaurant-quality meals at home or on-the-go without sacrificing choice. Contactless dining, QR code menus, and cloud kitchens are now mainstream, offering speed, customization, and safety. On the consumer side, there is growing demand for transparency, healthier meal options, and sustainability-focused dining experiences. This has prompted restaurants to adapt with calorie labeling, organic or plant-based menu items, and eco-friendly packaging. Additionally, data-driven personalization and loyalty programs are helping brands build deeper connections with their clientele. In fast-casual and quick-service formats, automation—ranging from self-order kiosks to robotic kitchens—is driving efficiency and consistency. These technological and behavioral shifts are not only enhancing customer experience but also enabling operators to optimize operations, manage labor challenges, and remain competitive in a digitally driven food economy.

Which Segments and Global Regions Are Leading the Charge in FAFH Expansion?

The food away from home market spans a broad spectrum of segments, each experiencing distinct growth dynamics. Quick-service restaurants (QSRs) continue to dominate due to their affordability, speed, and scalability, particularly in urban and transit-heavy locations. Fast-casual formats are gaining ground, offering higher-quality meals without the wait times or pricing of full-service restaurants. The full-service dining segment remains resilient in special-occasion and family dining markets, especially in tourist-heavy areas and developed economies. Cafés and specialty beverage outlets are experiencing strong traction among younger consumers and digital nomads, becoming central to urban social culture. In the institutional sector, corporate cafeterias, hospitals, military bases, and educational campuses represent stable demand for high-volume, low-cost food services. Regionally, North America and Europe have mature FAFH markets characterized by advanced infrastructure, strong brand penetration, and consumer willingness to spend on dining experiences. However, the Asia-Pacific region is the most dynamic growth hub, driven by rapid urbanization, a growing middle class, and the rise of local and international chains in countries like China, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Latin America and the Middle East are also experiencing expansion, particularly in organized foodservice formats, as retail modernization and international tourism increase. These regional trends point to a robust and evolving global marketplace with diverse drivers of demand.

What Market Forces Are Accelerating Growth and Redefining Competitive Strategies?

The growth in the food away from home market is driven by several factors rooted in demographics, technology, cultural shifts, and economic momentum. First, the global increase in urban populations and rising disposable incomes, particularly in emerging markets, is fueling higher consumption of meals outside the home. Second, lifestyle changes—such as long working hours, smaller household sizes, and on-demand expectations—are pushing consumers toward foodservice solutions that offer convenience and variety without the effort of home cooking. Third, the ubiquity of mobile devices and digital platforms has transformed the customer journey, allowing food providers to meet consumers at multiple touchpoints, from dine-in and takeout to delivery and virtual kitchens. Fourth, the diversification of dietary preferences—including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-sensitive options—is compelling foodservice operators to innovate and differentiate their offerings. The influence of health and wellness trends is also significant, with more diners expecting clean-label, nutritious, and portion-controlled meals. Additionally, economic recovery post-COVID has reignited consumer spending on social and leisure activities, including dining. Rising competition is prompting chains to invest in branding, menu engineering, and omnichannel service models to capture market share. Lastly, environmental sustainability is becoming a competitive differentiator, with customers increasingly favoring brands that demonstrate responsible sourcing, waste reduction, and energy-efficient operations. These multifaceted drivers are converging to shape a resilient and fast-evolving global FAFH market.

SCOPE OF STUDY:

The report analyzes the Food Away From Home market in terms of units by the following Segments, and Geographic Regions/Countries:

Segments:
Deployment (Dine in, Take Away, Home Delivery); Application (Restaurants, Schools & Colleges, Hotels & Motels, Retail Stores & Vending, Other Applications); Occasion Type (Entertainment, Travel, Retail, Freestanding); Ownership Type (Independent, Chains)

Geographic Regions/Countries:
World; United States; Canada; Japan; China; Europe (France; Germany; Italy; United Kingdom; Spain; Russia; and Rest of Europe); Asia-Pacific (Australia; India; South Korea; and Rest of Asia-Pacific); Latin America (Argentina; Brazil; Mexico; and Rest of Latin America); Middle East (Iran; Israel; Saudi Arabia; United Arab Emirates; and Rest of Middle East); and Africa.

Select Competitors (Total 47 Featured) -

• Aramark
• Brinker International Inc.
• Burger King Company LLC
• Chipotle Mexican Grill
• Compass Group PLC
• Darden Concepts Inc.
• Domino`s Pizza
• Greene King
• Jubilant FoodWorks
• McDonald`s
• Panda Restaurant Group Inc.
• Papa John`s International Inc.
• Restaurant Brands International
• SATS Ltd.
• Shake Shack
• Sodexo
• Starbucks Corporation
• Subway IP LLC
• Whataburger
• Yum! Brands

AI INTEGRATIONS
We`re transforming market and competitive intelligence with validated expert content and AI tools.

Instead of following the general norm of querying LLMs and Industry-specific SLMs, we built repositories of content curated from domain experts worldwide including video transcripts, blogs, search engines research, and massive amounts of enterprise, product/service, and market data.

TARIFF IMPACT FACTOR
Our new release incorporates impact of tariffs on geographical markets as we predict a shift in competitiveness of companies based on HQ country, manufacturing base, exports and imports (finished goods and OEM). This intricate and multifaceted market reality will impact competitors by increasing the Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), reducing profitability, reconfiguring supply chains, amongst other micro and macro market dynamics.

Please note: Reports are sold as single-site single-user licenses. Electronic versions require 24-48 hours as each copy is customized to the client with digital controls and custom watermarks. The Publisher uses digital controls protecting against copying and printing is restricted to one full copy to be used at the same location.

The latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view the report. Upon ordering an electronic version, the Publisher will provide a link to download the purchased report.

Prior to fulfillment of an order, the client will be required to sign a document detailing the purchase terms for a publication from this publisher.