Contract caterers' lunchtime trade ‘under pressure’ from new work patterns

Contract caterers' lunchtime trade is "under pressure" from changes in workforce patterns and fledgling business models that could disrupt the market, according to consultant Peter Backman’s Quarterly Briefing Report.

Increases in flexible working and reduced in-office workforces are all having an impact on the numbers of being being fed on-the-job.

Additionally, the growth of online ordering for large workplace groups, including internal meetings and events, through companies such as City Pantry and Seamless has led to a shift away from the use of in-house caterers to external suppliers.

Whilst this shift is currently restricted to specific locations such as central London Backman believes it is "likely to grow and change the nature of workplace feeding in the longer term".

Backman also predicts that the growth of delivery kitchens will impact the restaurant sector.

The Quarterly Briefing Report on the foodservice industry and supply chain is a summary of Q4 2019 with forecasts for Q1 and Q2 2020.