Chart from Meaningful Vision.
Regional differences shape UK restaurant distribution
Burger chains are evenly distributed whilst chicken chains cluster in suburban areas.
The distribution of foodservice outlets in the UK reveals stark regional differences, highlighting untapped market opportunities and varying consumer preferences. From burger chains to coffee shops, analysing these disparities provides a roadmap for operators to refine strategies and target growth effectively, Meaningful Vision reveals.
For example, burger restaurants exhibit a relatively even distribution across the country, with a national average of approximately four outlets per 100,000 people.
Whilst cities like Portsmouth, Brighton, Belfast, Milton Keynes, and Cardiff lead the pack, London, despite its vast population, falls slightly behind with a density of 4.8. In contrast, cities like Stockport, Leicester, and Bradford have a notably lower concentration of burger restaurants.
Meanwhile, chicken fast-food outlets tend to cluster in suburban areas of London, particularly in boroughs like Bromley, Croydon, Harrow, and Romford.
Birmingham also boasts a high concentration of chicken outlets per capita. However, cities such as Ipswich, Stockport, Norwich, and York have significantly fewer options, highlighting regional variations in consumer demand.
Glasgow, London, and Cardiff emerge as the cities with the highest density of bakeries and sandwich shops. In contrast, Leicester, Plymouth, and Southampton exhibit significantly lower numbers, with a density approximately one-third that of the leading cities. York and Cambridge also have relatively modest numbers in this category.
Edinburgh, Portsmouth, Chester, and London lead the way in terms of chain coffee shop density. In stark contrast, Wolverhampton, Stock-on-Trent, and Nottingham report the lowest concentration of coffee shops. These disparities likely reflect factors such as population density, disposable income, and cultural preferences.
“By understanding these regional variations, foodservice operators can make informed decisions about expansion strategies, menu offerings, and marketing campaigns. Areas with high density may benefit from increased competition and differentiation, while underserved regions present opportunities for growth and market penetration. Moreover, these insights can help investors identify promising locations for new ventures and real estate developers to cater to the evolving foodservice landscape,” Maria Vanifatova, CEO of Meaningful Vision, said.
