The global catering services market was valued at USD 1,108.5 billion in 2023 and is forecast to grow at a 7.8% CAGR. In the US, 82% of consumers ordered catering for events in the past year, even as labor shortages and higher costs force tighter planning. Corporate clients increasingly request plant-based menus, with 70% seeking them, while Gen Z favors experiential catering at 75%.
Key Takeaways
- 82% of US consumers ordered catering for events in past year 2023.
- 60% prefer sustainable/organic options in catering 2023 survey.
- Millennials drive 45% of wedding catering demand 2023.
- US catering industry employed 1.2 million workers in 2023.
- Global catering workforce estimated at 25 million in 2023.
- UK catering sector jobs 1.5 million, 5% growth in 2023.
- The global catering services market size was valued at USD 1,108.5 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% from 2024 to 2030.
- In the US, the catering industry generated $68.4 billion in revenue in 2023.
- Europe's catering market is projected to reach €250 billion by 2028, growing at 4.5% CAGR.
- 35% of caterers adopted AI menu planning in 2023.
- Food waste in catering reduced 20% via portion tech 2023.
- 80% face supply chain disruptions in 2023 surveys.
- US catering industry average revenue per operator $1.2 million in 2023.
- Global catering profit margins averaged 8-12% in 2023.
- UK caterers saw 15% revenue increase in 2023 post-inflation adjustment.
With demand rising fast, most customers now favor sustainable, customizable catering with plant based and allergen free options.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumer Trends26 stats
01
82% of US consumers ordered catering for events in past year 2023.
02
60% prefer sustainable/organic options in catering 2023 survey.
03
Millennials drive 45% of wedding catering demand 2023.
04
70% of corporate clients seek plant-based menus 2023.
05
Average group size for catering orders 25 people in US 2023.
06
55% increased catering spend due to hybrid events 2023.
07
UK consumers 65% prioritize local sourcing in catering 2023.
08
40% opt for delivery over pickup post-COVID 2023.
09
Gen Z favors experiential catering 75% in surveys 2023.
10
50% of event planners request allergen-free options 2023.
11
India 80% prefer vegetarian catering for events 2023.
12
68% willing to pay 20% premium for eco-friendly catering 2023.
13
Corporate catering frequency up 30% for remote teams 2023.
14
62% seek customizable menus online 2023.
15
Australia 55% consumers choose healthy low-cal options 2023.
16
France luxury dining catering 45% growth in demand 2023.
17
75% post-event photos on social media influencing choices 2023.
18
Brazil festive season catering demand spikes 50% 2023.
19
Japan 70% prefer kaiseki-style catering for events 2023.
20
58% US consumers try international cuisines via catering 2023.
21
Airline passengers 40% select premium meal upgrades 2023.
22
School parents 90% approve farm-to-table programs 2023.
23
Italy 65% favor regional specialties in catering 2023.
24
72% loyalty to caterers with fast digital ordering 2023.
25
Canada 60% multicultural fusion menus popular 2023.
26
South Africa 55% demand braai/BBQ catering 2023.
Interpretation
Consumer Trends Interpretation
The modern caterer must juggle being a tech-savvy sustainability advocate, a global chef, and a dietary detective, all while knowing the audience is just as likely to be a boardroom of remote workers, a wedding of Instagramming millennials, or a family craving a local, plant-based feast.
02 · Category
Employment & Workforce23 stats
01
US catering industry employed 1.2 million workers in 2023.
02
Global catering workforce estimated at 25 million in 2023.
03
UK catering sector jobs 1.5 million, 5% growth in 2023.
04
65% of US caterers report labor shortages in 2023.
05
Average catering chef salary $55,000USD annually in US 2023.
06
India catering employs 8 million, mostly informal sector 2023.
07
Turnover rate in catering 75% annually global average 2023.
08
Women comprise 55% of catering workforce worldwide 2023.
09
EU catering jobs 12 million, 3% increase post-COVID 2023.
10
US part-time workers 40% of catering staff 2023.
11
Australia catering employment 250,000 full-time equivalents 2023.
12
China catering workforce 30 million formal jobs 2023.
13
70% of caterers increased wages by 10%+ in 2023 to retain staff.
14
France catering employees average 35 hours/week 2023.
15
Global catering training investment $5 billion annually 2023.
16
Brazil catering jobs 2 million, growth 12% 2023.
17
Japan catering staff shortage 20% of positions unfilled 2023.
18
Airline catering employs 500,000 globally 2023.
19
School nutrition staff 1 million in US 2023.
20
Italy catering workforce 1.8 million 2023.
21
45% of catering workers under 30 years old globally 2023.
22
Canada catering employment 200,000 2023.
23
South Africa catering jobs 800,000 mostly low-skilled 2023.
Interpretation
Employment & Workforce Interpretation
The global catering industry is a vast, hungry beast that feeds millions but is currently trying to digest a paradoxical meal of rapid growth, chronic labor shortages, and a revolving door of young staff, all while desperately trying to sweeten the deal with higher wages.
03 · Category
Market Size & Growth30 stats
01
The global catering services market size was valued at USD 1,108.5 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% from 2024 to 2030.
02
In the US, the catering industry generated $68.4 billion in revenue in 2023.
03
Europe's catering market is projected to reach €250 billion by 2028, growing at 4.5% CAGR.
04
Asia-Pacific catering market dominated with 38% share in 2023, valued at $420 billion.
05
The wedding catering segment is expected to grow at 9.2% CAGR globally through 2030.
06
Corporate catering market size reached $150 billion in 2023, with 6.5% projected CAGR.
07
US off-premise catering sales hit $25 billion in 2023.
08
Global cloud kitchen catering market to grow from $45 billion in 2023 to $120 billion by 2030.
09
Indian catering industry valued at INR 1.2 lakh crore in 2023, 12% YoY growth.
10
UK catering market recovery post-COVID reached £20 billion in 2023.
11
Middle East catering market to expand at 8.1% CAGR to $50 billion by 2028.
12
Latin America catering sector grew 15% in 2023 to $30 billion.
13
Sustainable catering market globally at $200 billion in 2023, 10% CAGR forecast.
14
US school catering market size $15 billion in 2023.
15
Global event catering market projected to $400 billion by 2030 at 7% CAGR.
16
Australian catering industry revenue $12 billion AUD in 2023.
17
China catering market hit RMB 5 trillion in 2023, up 20%.
18
French catering turnover €45 billion in 2023.
19
Global halal catering market $70 billion in 2023, 7.5% CAGR.
20
Canadian catering services market $8.5 billion CAD in 2023.
21
South Africa catering market R100 billion in 2023.
22
Global vegan catering segment $15 billion in 2023, 15% growth expected.
23
US healthcare catering $10 billion in 2023.
24
Italian catering industry €30 billion in 2023.
25
Global luxury catering market $50 billion, 8% CAGR to 2030.
26
Brazil catering market BRL 40 billion in 2023.
27
Japan corporate catering ¥2 trillion in 2023.
28
Global airline catering market $18 billion in 2023, recovering to pre-COVID levels.
29
Spain catering sector €25 billion in 2023.
30
Southeast Asia catering market $60 billion USD equivalent in 2023.
Interpretation
Market Size & Growth Interpretation
The world is spending over a trillion dollars to professionally feed our endless need to celebrate, collaborate, and avoid cooking, proving that no matter the continent or occasion, the fastest way to the heart is through a caterer's invoice.
More related reading
04 · Category
Operations & Challenges26 stats
01
35% of caterers adopted AI menu planning in 2023.
02
Food waste in catering reduced 20% via portion tech 2023.
03
80% face supply chain disruptions in 2023 surveys.
04
Average delivery time target 2 hours for 90% orders 2023.
05
Sustainability certifications held by 45% of global caterers 2023.
06
Energy costs rose 25% for caterers in EU 2023.
07
Cloud kitchens cut operational costs 30% for catering 2023.
08
60% implemented contactless payments post-2023.
09
Inventory management software used by 70% US caterers 2023.
10
Regulatory compliance costs 5-7% of revenue 2023.
11
Drone delivery pilots for catering in 15% urban areas 2023.
12
50% struggle with peak season staffing 2023.
13
Water usage per event averaged 500 liters reduced 15% 2023.
14
ERP systems adoption 40% in large caterers 2023.
15
Inflation impacted 92% of caterers pricing up 10% 2023.
16
Zero-waste initiatives in 30% operations 2023.
17
Australia bushfire impacts delayed 10% events 2023.
18
China digital platforms handle 60% orders 2023.
19
Health inspections failed 12% due to hygiene lapses 2023.
20
Robot chefs in 5% high-volume kitchens 2023.
21
Insurance premiums up 18% for liability 2023.
22
Brazil fuel costs for delivery +30% 2023.
23
Japan labor law changes affected 25% overtime ops 2023.
24
Packaging waste regs complied by 85% EU caterers 2023.
25
US 40% use predictive analytics for demand 2023.
26
Allergy management tech in 55% menus 2023.
Interpretation
Operations & Challenges Interpretation
While the catering industry is using AI and clever tech to plan menus, shrink waste, and even launch drones, it's also getting squeezed by supply chain chaos, rising costs, and staffing headaches, creating a frantic race to modernize just to stay afloat.
05 · Category
Revenue & Financials27 stats
01
US catering industry average revenue per operator $1.2 million in 2023.
02
Global catering profit margins averaged 8-12% in 2023.
03
UK caterers saw 15% revenue increase in 2023 post-inflation adjustment.
04
Corporate catering average ticket size $45per person in US 2023.
05
Wedding catering average spend $150per guest in Europe 2023.
06
US food cost percentage for caterers 28-32% of revenue in 2023.
07
Global catering EBITDA margins 10.5% average in 2023.
08
Indian catering firms average annual revenue INR 5 crore for top 10%.
09
Labor costs represent 35% of total revenue in US catering 2023.
10
Average catering contract value $50,000for corporate events in 2023.
11
French caterers revenue per employee €120,000 in 2023.
12
Overhead costs 20-25% of revenue for global caterers 2023.
13
US hospital catering revenue grew 5% to $10B, average $500K per facility.
14
Luxury catering markups 300-400% on food costs in 2023.
15
Australian caterer average profit margin 9.2% in 2023.
16
China catering revenue per outlet RMB 2 million average 2023.
17
Event catering ROI averages 25% for organizers via revenue share 2023.
18
Brazil catering revenue growth 18% YoY, average firm BRL 2M.
19
Japan catering labor cost 32% of revenue 2023.
20
Airline catering revenue per passenger $12.50in 2023.
21
School catering average meal revenue $4.50in US 2023.
22
Vegan catering premium pricing 25% above standard in 2023.
23
Italian caterers average seasonal revenue spike 40% in summer 2023.
24
Halal catering revenue share 12% of global market 2023.
25
Canadian caterers revenue per event $10,000average 2023.
26
South African catering profit margins 7-10% amid inflation 2023.
27
Southeast Asia catering revenue growth 22% post-pandemic 2023.
Interpretation
Revenue & Financials Interpretation
Despite the tantalizing numbers on the menu, from $50,000 corporate spreads to 300% luxury markups, the global catering feast ultimately leaves just a modest 8-12% profit on the plate after labor, food, and overhead take their hefty bites.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Karl Becker. (2026, February 13). Catering Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/catering-industry-statistics
MLA
Karl Becker. "Catering Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/catering-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Karl Becker. 2026. "Catering Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/catering-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
60 datasets cited across this report