The fast-food sector has been a staple in the restaurant industry for decades. Customers enjoy the convenience of fast-food, and as technology improves, fast-food services will only become faster. The pandemic has sparked innovation in many industries, including the hospitality sector.
The fast-food industry has increased year-on-year, and the average household spend is only on the rise. Saturday night takeaways are a British tradition among families, with the average household spending over £5 a week on takeout meals. The younger generations are likely to spend more on takeaway food than older individuals. Food delivery apps, like Deliveroo and Just Eat, and online orders are popular with the younger generation and have led to a boom in the fast-food market. Online delivery is slowly replacing the more traditional phone ordering system.
In the pandemic, fast-food restaurants began taking measures to expand their drive-throughs to create a streamlined experience. Prior to the pandemic, only 20% of US fast-food joints had a drive-through service. Post covid-19, there has been a 90% increase in drive-through services as people seek to reduce contact as much as possible. Businesses like Taco Bell and McDonalds are also launching mobile ordering a pickup systems. Customers can order their food online, wait in the establishment’s car park, and have their food delivered.
However, as the fast-food market increases, so will the need for a measured approach for quality, health and protection policies for new businesses. Restaurants should invest in insurance for their takeaway services to ensure they are making smart and well-thought business decisions.
As the food delivery sector grows, more fast-food chains are expanding across the globe. The US burger chain Wendy’s aims to open five restaurants in the UK before the end of 2021. The restaurants will be based in Reading, Oxford and potentially, Central London. With more than 6,700 outlets in 30 countries across the world, it comes as no surprise than Wendy’s is returning to the UK.
Furthermore, Dutch fast-food restaurant, Chipstar, will also be opening a restaurant in Reading. The fast-food chain specialises in Dutch fries and chips and sausage, bacon, chicken, cheese fondue, onion, and a plethora of sauces. The upcoming Reading restaurant will be based next to The Alehouse. The Reading location was previously home to a vape superstore that has been, reportedly, left in a terrible condition after years of neglect. Chipstar intends to turn the plot into a ‘lively and thriving fast food shopfront’ on Reading high-street. Chipstar also has franchises in Italy, Spain and Israel.
Many smaller fast-food establishments are also grabbing retail space, previously owned by failed stores. In 2021, we are likely to see an increase in fast-food restaurants across the UK, with Reading being a top location for many smaller chains.
