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Pub kitchens are a staple of the UK’s hospitality industry, turning over staggering amounts of revenue each year and also contributing vast chunks to the UK economy. With this in mind, what does the UK pub kitchen industry look like? What are the numbers under the bustling hive of pub residencies?
Stats around the size of the UK pub kitchen industry
- Over 80% of UK pubs have kitchens
According to the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), more than 80% of UK pubs serve food. This shows how dining has become central to the modern pub experience.
- 50,000 pubs in the UK
As of 2023, there are approximately 50,000 pubs across the UK, with around 40,000 featuring operational kitchens.
“Of those 40,000 operational kitchens, it’s difficult to tell how many are serving food all year-round. Many places are facing rising costs and struggling to find staff to operate their kitchen. Due to this, we’re seeing a big increase in people looking for pub residency opportunities.”
- Tom Potter, Sales Manager at Oya Kitchens.
- Pub kitchens employ over 120,000 chefs
Pub kitchens support a significant portion of the UK hospitality workforce, employing roughly 120,000 chefs.
- Pub kitchens serve over 1 billion meals annually
UK pub kitchens serve more than 1 billion meals every year, contributing about 37% to their overall revenue.
- 45% increase in pub food offerings since 2000
The number of pubs offering food has increased by 45% since the year 2000, driven by changes in consumer expectations and business models.
Data points around the variety of pub kitchens
- 80% of pub kitchens offer traditional British fare
Around 80% of pub kitchens serve classic British dishes, such as fish and chips, pies, and Sunday roasts, underscoring their importance to the British culinary scene.
- 35% of pub kitchens offer vegetarian options
Reflecting changing dietary preferences, 35% of pub kitchens now include vegetarian options on their menus.
- 5% of pub kitchens serve vegan dishes
Veganism is on the rise, with about 15% of pubs now offering vegan meals, up from much lower figures a decade ago.
- 65% of pub kitchens offer locally sourced ingredients
The demand for sustainability has led 65% of UK pub kitchens to source their ingredients locally, boosting support for British farmers.
Source: Sustainable Restaurant Association
- 55% of pub kitchens offer gluten-free options
More than half of UK pub kitchens now cater to gluten-free diets, reflecting growing awareness and demand for allergy-friendly options.
Pub Kitchen Popularity in the UK
- Pub food accounts for 30% of pub-goers’ motivation
According to a Mintel survey, 30% of pub-goers primarily visit pubs for food, highlighting the increasing role of dining in pub experiences, pointing to why so many venues are now looking to rent their pub kitchen.
- Pub kitchens are rated highly for quality
A 2023 survey revealed that over 60% of pub-goers rate the quality of pub food as ‘good’ or ‘very good’, indicating high consumer satisfaction with pub kitchens.
- Gastropubs growing in popularity by 25% year-on-year
Gastropubs, which focus on high-quality food, are growing at a rate of 25% annually, showing a shift towards more refined dining experiences in pubs.
- 82% of UK consumers have eaten in a pub in the past year
A remarkable 82% of UK consumers dined in a pub at least once in the past 12 months, solidifying pub kitchens’ widespread popularity.
- Pub kitchens’ revenue from food has doubled in 20 years
Revenue from food sales in pubs has doubled over the last two decades, making up around 40% of total pub revenue today.
- Sunday roasts are the most popular pub dish
The traditional Sunday roast remains the top choice in UK pubs, accounting for 25% of all food sales every week.
“Sunday roasts will always be the fan favourite, but we’re seeing a rise in venues looking to diversify their offering with ‘non-traditional’ meals, such as, Thai or Korean cuisine.” - Josh Mendros, Customer Experience Manager.
- Pub food market worth £8 billion annually
The UK pub food market is valued at £8 billion per year, reflecting the crucial role pub kitchens play in the broader hospitality industry.
Recruitment and Employment in UK Pub Kitchens
- High turnover rates of 30% in pub kitchens
The hospitality sector, including pub kitchens, faces a staff turnover rate of around 30% per year, creating ongoing recruitment challenges for pub owners.
- 70% of pub kitchens struggle to find skilled chefs
Due to skill shortages, 70% of pub kitchens report difficulty recruiting experienced chefs, a challenge that has been exacerbated by the pandemic and Brexit.
- Pub kitchen jobs make up 10% of UK hospitality apprenticeships
Pub kitchens are a significant part of the apprenticeship landscape in hospitality, accounting for 10% of all hospitality-related apprenticeships in the UK.
Source: Institute for Apprenticeships
The beating heart, and warming soul, of the UK
Without the hearty winter meals or exciting summer fusion flavours, British towns and cities would look and feel a lot different. From the data points above, we can see a growing and exciting market that’s looking to hit new highs.
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