Diners will wait just under 16 minutes, on average, before leaving a restaurant after not being served, new research reveals. Caffeine craving Britons were also revealed to be more patient waiting for a coffee than waiting for a sandwich (6 minutes 2 seconds against 5 minutes 34 seconds).
These results follow a survey of 5,000 UK consumers, conducted by Peach Factory on behalf of global retail technology provider Omnico Group, as part of an investigation into the effect of waiting times on hospitality businesses across the UK.
Fast food must be served fast!
The data also showed that Brits like their fast food, as the title suggests, served fast. Diners on average are only willing to wait 6 minutes 18 seconds without being served at fast food chains such as McDonald’s and Subway.
Pubs offering food such as Wetherspoons or Harvester need to be quick too, with customers only happy to wait an average of 12 minutes 27 seconds without being served, before going elsewhere.
Drink delays also not acceptable
Britons are slightly more enduring when ordering drinks at a bar or pub, willing to linger up to 7 minutes 51 seconds before giving up.
Tolerance varies by region and sex
The East Midlands is home to those with the most perseverance in restaurants, willing to wait on average 16 minutes 39 seconds before absconding, followed closely by Londoners (16 minutes 22 seconds). Welsh diners are the least patient and will only endure 14 minutes and 16 seconds before leaving. For a fast food fix, Londoners are most patient, willing to wait 7 minutes 22 seconds before leaving.
Women are far more enduring than men when waiting for any kind of food or drink, beating men in every single outlet type. When eating out at restaurants, on average, women are happy to wait up to 16 minutes and 19 seconds, with men only wanting to hang around for 14 minutes and 49 seconds.
Speedy service supported by technology is needed
“Whether diners are waiting to be seated, looking for the waiter to take their order or simply in a queue, they have a limit,” commented Steve Thomas Chief Technology Officer at Omnico Group. “Sixteen minutes might seem a long time for hospitality outlets to leave their patrons waiting, but in reality, it’s no time at all and a lengthy wait can impact loyalty and customer experience. Speedy service aided by innovative technology, such as mobile Point of Sale, can help to bust these queues, reduce waiting times and ensure customers are getting the best dining experience.”
Average waiting times
Below is the full list of UK regions and the average times that locals are willing to wait without being served .
| Region | Average wait time before leaving restaurant |
| Wales | 14 mins 16 seconds |
| Scotland | 14 mins 48 seconds |
| West Midlands | 14 mins 52 seconds |
| North West | 15 mins 33 seconds |
| East of England | 15 mins 36 seconds |
| North East | 15 mins 39 seconds |
| South West | 15 mins 39 seconds |
| South East | 15 mins 8 seconds |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | 16 mins 11 seconds |
| London | 16 mins 22 seconds |
| East Midlands | 16 mins 39 seconds |
About Omnico
Omnico delivers queue-busting mobile point of sale (PoS) technology with leading hospitality chains, including YO! Sushi. By supplying YO! Sushi with mobile PoS, Omnico helped to increase order efficiency and tracking as well as streamline the payment process by 30 seconds per customer. Mobile PoS has the potential to cut waiting time in hospitality chains and ensure customers aren’t left hanging and, by extension, abandon their table.
For more information click here