Self-Service Cafeterias

Self-service cafeterias was one of the strongest performers among the main foodservice categories in Poland in terms of growth in transactions and current value sales in 2023. Like limited-service restaurants, it weathered the cost-of-living crisis…

Chained self-service cafeterias continued to see low levels of popularity in Malaysia at the end of the review period. The Ikea Restaurant brand maintained its dominant position in the market. Indeed, there are no other players with a significant…

Although self-service cafeterias saw very strong growth in terms of transactions and current value sales in 2023, nevertheless this remains the smallest category within consumer foodservice in Peru. It was also greatly affected by the pandemic, not…

In 2023, self-service cafeterias continued to recover from the COVID-19 slump in transaction and current value terms, although the number of outlets saw another slight drop. While adversely affected by the closure of outlets based at petrol/gas…

Self-service cafeterias remained the smallest channel within consumer foodservice in Egypt in 2023 in terms of foodservice value sales and number of outlets. The “do it yourself” trend has yet to penetrate Egyptian culture, with consumers still…

Following the relaxation of COVID-19-related restrictions that directly impacted self-service cafeterias in early 2022, Denmark experienced a return to a semblance of normalcy reminiscent of the pre-pandemic era. There was a surge in demand for…

Boosted by significant price hikes and the inflation, self-service cafeterias is achieving very strong value growth as consumer demand continues to recover following the COVID-19 pandemic. As no further pandemic-related restrictions have been…

Self-service cafeterias in Ukraine continues to be a highly fragmented category, mostly consisting of no-frills establishments serving lunchtime offerings. Most of these establishments are fairly traditional with less reliance on technology than…

The Taiwanese are keen on eating all-you-can buffets, as the diverse range of options caters to a variety of personal choices, with this benefiting self-service cafeterias. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a strong desire for more social…

Self-services cafeterias is growing, pushed by high inflation rates, increasing highway traffic, and positive growth of tourism. The category continues to be characterised by a dichotomy. For instance, on one hand, it features brands such as Ikea…

Self-service cafeterias registered a stagnant performance in Indonesia in current value terms in 2023. With a high proportion of these outlets typically located in hypermarkets, the performance of the category is heavily dependent on this retail…

Self-service cafeterias in Brazil is a particularly important foodservice channel for local consumers during the lunch hour, since this meal is considered the most important of the day for much of the population. Brazilians generally prioritise a…

Self-service cafeterias made price adjustments of between 20-30% during 2023, as soaring inflation pushed up the costs of vital ingredients, such as meat and pasta. Simultaneously, heightened labour and energy costs further contributed to this…

In October 2023, the first IKEA store in Colombia was opened, in Bogotá. There are also plans for additional stores in Medellín and Cali by 2024. Along with furniture and home goods, the outlet also has the IKEA distinctive self-service cafeteria.…

Austria experienced exceptionally high inflation once again in 2023, reducing household incomes and dampening spending in almost all areas of consumer foodservice. Foodservice operators faced increased energy, materials and labour costs, which were…

A large proportion of outlets in self-service cafeterias in Argentina comprises stores that sell food by weight, mostly operated by individuals of Asian origin. During the pandemic, as a consequence of working from home, many of these stores had to…

In 2023, self-service cafeterias in Chile maintained a niche presence within consumer foodservice, holding marginal share overall. The channel’s main attraction is allowing patrons to choose from diverse options and customise portion sizes. Unlike…

Ikea Restaurant remained the only chained self-service cafeteria operating in Australia in 2023, with 10 outlets throughout the country. With only 13 independent self-service cafeterias in operation in Australia, it is unsurprising to see Ikea…

Self-service cafeterias, as a channel, has reached saturation in New Zealand with low single digit growth in 2023. The category mainly includes buffet style businesses which are not popular in New Zealand. While buffets can offer good value to…

In 2022 and 2023, independent self-service cafeterias demonstrated double-digit growth in retail value sales. The primary driver behind this success was the popularity of local Korean cuisine buffets, which provide a rich variety of options, and…