Figures reveal the turnover for the top 10 contemporary fast food brands is expected to grow at a rate of 58.8%, to £1,114m in 2021.
Among the five fastest growing brands by turnover - versus 2020 - are Leon (75.7%); Itsu (68%); and Pret A Manger (63.9%).
Meanwhile, outlet growth is expected to reach 8.8% in 2021.
German Doner Kebab is forecasted to lead percentage growth with the brand expected to grow by 24 net new sites in 2021. The brand is driving outlet growth through its franchise model and focus on delivery.
Tortilla is expected to grow notably following strong delivery trading, as well as an IPO to help fund expansion.
“Due to the low contact and low ticket nature of fast-food, it remained one of the hospitality channels least impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic, particularly for those brands that were able to lean more heavily on delivery capabilities," says Katherine Prowse, senior insight manager at Lumina Intelligence.
"Despite being able to pivot business models accordingly, many operators were impacted heavily by the rapid decline in city-centre footfall.
"However, brands formerly dependent on lunchtime worker footfall have adapted to omnichannel trading in the past 18 months to survive. Coco di Mama is now predominantly a delivery concept, operating from ASK Italian and Zizzi sites, tapping into demand for lunch time occasions in suburban and commuter belt towns.”
Find out more about Lumina Intelligence’s Operator Data Index here.
