UK eating-out trends will mirror USA

By 2020 British people are likely to spend more on eating out than on food they eat at home, according to a survey just published.

One of the key findings of the report, from catering market specialist Foodservice Intelligence, is that the number of meals served by caterers is set to increase by 400 million a year by 2002.

The document, entitled Catering Forecasts 1999, cites similarities between the US and British markets.

The percentage of food dollars spent on eating out in the USA is currently 52.7%, having risen from 39.2% in 1977.

"With the UK eating out market running roughly 25 years behind that in the USA, it is likely that within the next few years we will be in the same position," the report states.

It also indicates that in the event of a recession people would choose cheaper restaurants and cheaper meals, or they would skip starters and desserts.