Costa, Wetherspoon, Greggs and Mitchells & Butlers are favourite brands among consumers

Costa, JD Wetherspoon, Greggs and Mitchells & Butlers are among the brands which have the most momentum in the out of home food and drink market, according to new research.

The CGA EI | Stone & River Brand Momentum Report highlightsthe brands across five sectors which are rising and falling in the eyes of British consumers.

Costa is believed to be the company with the most momentum in the coffee and food to go sector, followed by Patisserie Valerie. With more than 2,300 coffee shops and 7,000 Costa Express self-service units, Costa is now one of the most visible consumer brands across the UK.

In the high street drinks-led sector, JD Wetherspoon is regarded as the leading operator, followed by All Bar One. CGA's data shows it has a wide appeal across all demographics by offering convenience and value for money.

Mitchells & Butlers' Stonehouse Pizza & Carvery tops the report's list of leading pub restaurant names, ahead of Greene King's Farmhouse Inns. Stonehouse has successfully tapped into two of the most popular areas of eating out in pizzas and carveries.

Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) also tops the restaurants category, with its steakhouse brand Miller & Carter, ahead of brasserie brand Côte. Miller & Carter has replaced other M&B concepts in many locations lately and has a strong following among older diners.

In the quick service restaurant category, Greggs leads the list ahead of McDonald's, thanks in part to recent efforts to evolve its formula with more healthy options and sit-in service.

The report from data company CGA and brand consultancy Stone & River concludes that a straightforward offer, convenience and value are vital elements of success, and emphasises the importance of the need for businesses to evolve and be flexible.

Costa Coffee pledges to recycle as many coffee cups as it sells by 2020 >

Wetherspoon’s Tim Martin attacks ‘budget for dinner parties’ after revealing 43% profit rise >

Mitchells & Butlers to expand Miller & Carter and cut Harvester sites >

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