Use our industry guide to find key background information, market research, import and export guidelines, statistics, legislation, trade bodies and trade publications.
The Business & Industry Guides series is produced by the Library & Information Service for ICAEW members and ACA students.
We can compile tailored key players reports, mailing lists, market reports, benchmarking reports and industry news. Our enquiry team can also research other industry-specific information, such as taxation, for you. Call us on +44 (0)20 7920 8620 or email library@icaew.com.
Trends and forecasts
Market research
Market research reports focusing on this business sector are available from a number of market research specialists. In most cases these reports are available to fee-paying subscribers or on a pay-as-you-go basis.
BDO
BDO produces an annual Restaurants and Bars report. Includes insight into the latest trends, economic performance, challenges and opportunities for the UK restaurants, bars and pub sector. Previous reports are also available.
Other market research specialists
Some free information is available from the following market research specialists, ranging from industry news to executive summaries of the reports.
Euromonitor
A full listing of reference products and research reports for the restaurant industry from Euromonitor, with a range of global, country and company level reports. Each report provides a contents listing and a useful executive summary reporting on the key trends in each country report.
GIRA
Research company specialising in the European foodservice market, with reports covering contract caterers and restaurant chains.
Horizons
Foodservice market research specialist offering reports on consumer behaviour, menus, quarterly and annual market trends and key brands.
IBISWorld
Business and industry research specialists offering reports on a wide range of sectors, including full-service restaurants. Report snapshots, table of contents and a sample report are available. The company also produces global industry research reports.
Mintel
A full listing of reports covering the restaurants, pubs and bars sector with the option to view the executive summary and a table of contents for each report.
Industry news
Statistics on the UK
Office for National Statistics
The Annual Business Survey (ABS) from the Office for National Statistics collects financial information covering UK production, construction, distribution and service industries. Statistics available include:
- number of enterprises;
- total turnover;
- approximate gross value added at basic prices;
- total purchases of goods, materials and services;
- total employment costs;
- total net capital expenditure;
- total net capital expenditure – acquisitions;
- total net capital expenditure – disposals;
- total stocks and work in progress – value at end of year;
- total stocks and work in progress – value at beginning of year;
- total stocks and work in progress – increase during year.
The dataset Non-financial business economy, UK: Sections A to S includes data on restaurants:
- Restaurants and mobile food service activities (56.1)
See Section I: Accommodation and food service activities
Statistics on Europe
Eurostat
Eurostat, the EU statistics hub, collates detailed Structural Business Statistics giving the latest figures for industry, construction, trade and services by sector and country. The indicators available include:
- number of enterprises
- turnover or gross premiums written
- production value
- value added at factor cost
- gross operating surplus
- wages and salaries
- social security costs
- gross investment in tangible goods
- gross investment in land
- gross investment in existing buildings and structures
- gross investment in construction and alteration of buildings
- gross investment in machinery and equipment
- number of employees
- number of persons employed per enterprise.
Statistics within the database are available for:
- Restaurants and mobile food service activities (I561)
See database section ‘SBS – services’
Employment
UK
The Office for National Statistics publication Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) includes average employment costs within this sector which can be found in Table 14. Average employment costs are provided for full-time employees, part-time employees and all employees.
The data includes average employment costs for:
- chefs, cooks;
- kitchen and catering assistants;
- restaurant and catering managers;
- waiters, waitresses.
The annual Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES), published by the Office for National Statistics, includes total employee and employment estimates for different industries for Great Britain and the UK. Figures are broken down to show full-time/part-time and public/private splits. The dataset Industry – Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES): Table 2 includes statistics for:
- Restaurants and mobile food service activities (561)
Other regions
Please see individual country profile pages for links to sources of national statistics.
Legislation and regulation
UK
Gov.uk provides some guidance on the main legislation applicable to various sectors, including food, catering and retail.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has a section on health and safety in catering and hospitality, which includes latest regulations affecting this industry.
The Food Standards Agency produces guidance on Running a food business. Covers a range of areas including setting up a food business, food hygiene and safety, imports and exports, general food law and operational and chemical safety.
UK business guides
The Library can supply business guides on this sector to ICAEW members and students.
Valuation
UK benchmarking
Trade bodies
The websites of trade bodies in this sector are a useful source of industry overviews, contacts and statistics.
UK
- Academy of Food and Wine (AFW)
- Institute of Hospitality
- Local Authority Caterers Association (LACA)
- Restaurant Property Advisors Society (RPAS)
- UK Hospitality
Europe
Americas
Global
Trade journals and publications
Trade journals, B2B magazines and specialist consumer magazines are another useful source of news and statistics.
Further reading
Articles and books in the Library collection
- View a list of articles and books in our collection on restaurants
- View a list of articles and books in our collection on the catering industry
To find out how you can borrow books from the Library please see our guide to book loans.
You can obtain copies of articles or extracts of books and reports by post or email through our document supply service.
Can't find what you're looking for?
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