Australia Food Service Market Overview, 2028

Australia Food Service Market Overview, 2028

Australians are increasingly valuing convenience, variety, and quality in their dining experiences. As lifestyles become busier, there's a growing preference for eating out, ordering in, or choosing ready-to-eat meal options. Australia's food scene is incredibly diverse, influenced by multiculturalism and a rich blend of culinary traditions. The fusion of various cuisines, such as Asian, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern, has led to an abundance of dining options, appealing to a wide range of tastes. Australia's reputation as a culinary destination has grown, attracting both domestic and international tourists. Unique and diverse food experiences, from gourmet dining to street food markets, contribute to the expansion of the food service sector. Changing work habits, including more people working remotely or having flexible schedules, have influenced dining habits. This has led to increased demand for grab-and-go meals, office catering services, and food delivery to workplaces. Food festivals and events, showcasing local and international cuisines, play a significant role in expanding the food service market. These events not only attract locals but also draw in tourists and contribute to the vibrancy of the industry. Australia's booming tourism industry plays a vital role in the growth of the food service market. Tourists seek out unique dining experiences, influencing the expansion and diversity of the culinary landscape. The breakfast and brunch culture is booming in Australia, with many cafes and restaurants offering extensive breakfast menus and unique brunch items, catering to a growing trend of morning dining experiences. In Australia, the total number of outlets increased by around 3,500 restaurants in 2022. Owing to the high number of franchisee establishments, Australia had over 1,100 franchisors, 65,000 franchise units, and 8,000 company-owned units in 2022. Owing to this trend, Coles Group, Subway, and McDonald's, the largest food chains in Australia, have expanded their footprint in the country. For instance, as of 2022, Coles Group had the highest number of locations, with 1,545 locations across eight states and territories. In 2022, Subway had 1,214, McDonald's had 1,034, Domino's had 716, and KFC had 712 locations in Australia. Australians spend an average of USD 40 per week on food delivery through apps such as Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and DoorDash.

According to the research report “Australia Food Service Market Overview, 2028,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Australia Food Service market is anticipated to add around USD 30 Billion from 2023 to 2028. A surge in plant-based dining options to cater to the growing vegan and vegetarian population. Restaurants are introducing innovative plant-based menus and dishes to appeal to health-conscious and environmentally aware consumers. The food delivery sector has experienced exponential growth in Australia, primarily driven by the convenience sought by consumers. Companies like Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Menulog have gained significant traction. This trend was accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, as restrictions led to a surge in online food delivery orders. Pop-up restaurants and food trucks continue to gain traction, providing an avenue for chefs and entrepreneurs to experiment with new concepts or cuisines. They offer flexibility and lower operating costs, allowing for more experimental and diverse food options in different locations. The food service industry in Australia faces ongoing challenges related to workforce availability and retention. This issue has been further compounded by the impact of the pandemic, leading to labor shortages, which have forced many establishments to re-evaluate their employment practices and adopt innovative solutions to attract and retain skilled staff. Technology is being used to enhance the dining experience through digital menu boards, QR code menus, and menu personalization based on customer preferences. This not only streamlines the ordering process but also allows for better customization and efficient management of inventory. The concept of ghost kitchens, also known as virtual or cloud kitchens, has gained traction in Australia. These are professional food preparation and cooking facilities set up for delivery-only meals. They often operate multiple brands from the same kitchen, catering specifically to the booming food delivery sector.

Non-commercial sectors, including healthcare and educational institutions, are increasingly prioritizing health and wellness in their food offerings. This emphasis aligns with the growing consumer trend toward healthier dining options. Many workplaces are adopting non-commercial food services, offering cafeteria facilities or catered meals that cater to employee well-being, nutrition, and convenience. Non-commercial food services in healthcare facilities and aged care homes are on the rise due to the aging population, with a focus on specialized nutrition plans and dietary requirements for patients and seniors. These segments often operate under contract management services, where specialized companies manage the foodservice operations for institutions, ensuring efficiency, quality, and compliance with dietary guidelines. Non-commercial segments cater to a variety of dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-sensitive diets, aiming to accommodate diverse consumer preferences. Furthermore, Australian consumers are increasingly adopting busy and fast-paced lifestyles, leading to a growing demand for convenient, on-the-go dining solutions. QSRs are well-positioned to meet this need with quick, ready-to-eat options. With the rise of urbanization and an increasing number of working professionals, there's a higher preference for quick and accessible meal options. QSRs cater to these demands by providing fast and convenient dining experiences. Quick service restaurants in Australia often offer budget-friendly meals, making them an attractive option for individuals seeking cost-effective dining choices without compromising quality. QSRs are integrating technology to improve the speed and efficiency of their services. Mobile apps, online ordering, self-service kiosks, and contactless payment systems enhance convenience for customers.

Centralized foodservice systems are effective for large-scale operations, such as catering for schools, hospitals, airlines, and other institutions. They can efficiently produce a high volume of meals, ensuring consistency and quality. These systems maintain strict quality control standards by centralizing food production. Standardized recipes, processes, and ingredients ensure consistent meal quality across various outlets. Centralized systems benefit from economies of scale by purchasing ingredients in bulk, which can result in cost savings. The streamlined operations and bulk purchasing reduce overall production costs. Centralized systems often leverage technology for efficient production, inventory management, and distribution. Automation and modern kitchen equipment enhance operational effectiveness. Despite centralized production, these systems can offer diverse menu options and accommodate specific dietary requirements or regional preferences by customizing meals for various institutions. Centralized systems comply with dietary guidelines, health standards, and regulatory requirements, ensuring meals align with nutritional guidelines and health regulations. They have streamlined distribution and logistics networks, ensuring timely and efficient delivery of meals to various outlets or institutions without compromising quality.

Recent Developments:
• In April 2023, the Bizarre Creme Egg Sandwich, a concoction of chocolate creme eggs wrapped in Italian bread, will be the newest addition to Subway's menu.
• In January 2023, Zambrero declared that it would be collaborating with SurfAid and the Cronulla Sharks in 2023.
• In December 2022, in an effort to give customers more convenience, KFC Australia and drone service company Wing partnered to test a hot and fresh menu item delivery service in Australia.
Considered in this report:
• Geography: Australia
• Historic year: 2017
• Base year: 2022
• Estimated year: 2023
• Forecast year: 2028

Aspects covered in this report:
• Australia Food Service market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Sector
• Commercial
• Non- Commercial

By System
• Conventional Foodservice System
• Centralized Foodservice System
• Ready Prepared Foodservice System
• Assembly-Serve Foodservice System

By Type of Restaurant
• Full service restaurants
• Quick service restaurants
• Institutes
• Other

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, and annual reports of companies, analyzing the government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers into regional aspects, tier aspects, age groups, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience:
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to the Food Service industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.