Market Trends of Benelux Foodservice Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Benelux Foodservice Market according to our research experts:
Strategic Expansion by International Fast-Food Chains
Consumers maintain strong attention to new international food and consumption trends as their exposure to foreign food cultures expands. Due to the rapid economic expansion across the countries, many foreign operators are entering the foodservice sector of Benelux. For instance, in 2021, Costa Coffee Europe's largest coffee chain entered the Belgian market, introducing a premium self-service coffee concept designed for hospitality venues.
In recent years, international fast-food restaurants have been marked by large-scale growth across the region due to increasing western influence that gave rise to fast food culture in the region, which is anticipated to undergo further growth over the coming years. Also, fast-food brands understand the needs of local customers and, especially, the culinary culture of key countries in order to design the right menu that reflects a balance between international cuisine and local tastes. Therefore, owing to this factor, various fast-food companies are making efforts to expand their product portfolio. For instance, in 2021, Dominos introduced the Cal'z sandwich in Belgium. Domino's Pizza's Cal'z is a variant of the popular Pizza Calzone.
Belgium is the Fastest Growing Market
The rapid growth of the fast-food sector in the country has led to an expansion of more food chains in the fast-food sector, thus, benefitting the overall market studied. This growth of the sector can be attributed to factors, such as convenience and availability of foods at lower costs, which are expected in independent full-service restaurants. Moreover, the market is primarily driven by the increasing frequency of dining out amid time-pressed schedules, the increasing prevalence of tourists, and the rising influence of cross-culture dietary patterns due to the strong presence of international restaurant chains.
The tourism industry remains one of the strongest industries in the country, and it is an important component of the foodservice sector. Furthermore, favorable government initiatives are being conducted with the aim to increase the tourism rate. This, in turn, may benefit the foodservice industry
