The UK takeaway industry is worth £9 billion to the UK economy according to the first economic impact assessment of the sector, published today by JUST EAT the UK’s number one online and mobile marketplace for takeaway food.
The analysis, conducted by independent economists the Centre for Economic and Business Research (Cebr), was commissioned by JUST EAT to establish the contribution of the sector to the UK economy in 2014.
Rising employment in the sector
The research also shows that the takeaway sector supported more than 220,000 direct jobsin 2014. Adjusting for the proportions of full and part-time jobs, this equals 153,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs.
Total employment in the takeaway industry rose by 10% from 2012 to 2014 and by nearly 17% over the past five years, mirroring the wider growth the sector has seen. In addition to the people employed directly in the sector, the knock-on economic impact of the industry supports a further 72,000 FTE jobs, of which 38,000 are indirect jobs in the supply chain, and 34,000 are induced jobs in the wider economy. What’s more, the sector is expected to generate another 30,000 jobs over the next five years.
Graham Corfield, UK Managing Director of JUST EAT, said: “We know takeaways contribute a huge amount to our culture but what many don’t realise is the enormous impact takeaway restaurants – often small, independent, and family-run – make to our economy.”
£4 billion contribution
The analysis shows the takeaway sector contributed £4 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the UK economy last year, equivalent to one eighth (12.5%) of the entire food services sector (which includes restaurants, cafes, canteens, pubs, bars, events catering and of course takeaways).
In addition, every £1 in GVA generated by the sector stimulated an additional 54p throughout the industry supply chain. When including the spending of takeaway employees and the workers along the sector’s supply chain, each £1 of takeaway GVA supports an additional £1.08 of GVA. Taking account of these multiplier effects, the total contribution of the takeaway sector is estimated at £8.3 billion in 2014 – equivalent to 0.5% of UK GDP last year.
British Takeaway Awards
Graham continued: “The takeaway sector rightly deserves to be recognised and championed as one of the key industries supporting small businesses across the UK and this is why JUST EAT has launched the British Takeaway Awards – the first ever multi-cuisine takeaway awards in the UK.”
The British Takeaway Awards will take place on 9th November at The Savoy in London, where 250 of the most celebrated names in British takeaway food will come together to applaud the success of Britain’s best independent takeaway businesses. In total 15 awards will be presented; made up 13 regional awards for the best loved takeaway restaurants locally, a special recognition award, and the most coveted of the prizes, the best takeaway restaurant in Britain.
Graham continued: “A takeaway is the cornerstone of a great British night in. But there’s never been one set of multi-cuisine awards voted for by consumers to recognise these takeaway restaurants, until now. If you love your local takeaway – whether it’s a Sushi, Chinese or Indian – vote for it on www.theBTAs.co.uk and help your favourite takeaway restaurant receive the recognition it deserves.”
Increasing variety of food
Reflecting the industry’s continuing development, there is an ever increasing variety of food on offer at the UK’s takeaway restaurants. JUST EAT processed more than 45.5 million orders in the UK last year and, with more than 90 cuisines available on JUST EAT, the company has seen strong order growth across a surprising range of foods. For example, African food, which first became available in 2012, saw a 150% growth in orders between 2013 and 2014 and Brazilian food experienced a 150% increase in orders in 2010. With such diversity, it’s little surprise the UK sector has grown so rapidly and continues to do so.
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