Restaurant Group Sales Drop – A Hungry Slow‑down
Our favourite takeaway companies are no longer eating the cake: the year‑on‑year growth in delivery and takeaway sales for Britain’s top restaurant groups slid to 1.9% in December 2024. That’s the lowest figure since March and a far cry from the 6.2% rush last November.
Why the Fewer Orders?
Consumers might have stuffed their pockets a little more, leaving them feeling rich enough to have a bash outside their own kitchen. All the holiday cheer, mild weather and extra time off work helped turn the tables from “stay‑in” to “celebrate‑out.”
Key Takeaways From the Tracker
- Delivery sales: 2.2% growth like‑for‑like.
- Takeaway and click‑and‑collect: 1.4% – a flatter bump.
- Overall delivery & takeaway: 10.3% upswing, even when you add all sites opened in the past year.
What the Brains Behind the Numbers Had to Say
“After eleven months of solid real‑term growth, December’s lull felt like a let‑down for 2024,” notes Karl Chessell, director of hospitality operators at CGA by NIQ. He added that consumer confidence was the sweet spot that drove people out for a proper celebration.
“Once those economic pressures ease, we can hope the two channels grow again in 2025… but the cost‑pressure toll on hospitality groups means margins will feel the strain for a while,” Chessell cautions.
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