GITNUXREPORT 2026

China Catering Industry Statistics

China's catering industry thrives with strong growth and diverse popular segments.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

68% of consumers dined out weekly in urban China in 2023.

Statistic 2

45% of millennials prefer quick-service over full-service restaurants.

Statistic 3

Online ordering accounted for 52% of all catering orders in 2023.

Statistic 4

62% of consumers prioritize food safety in restaurant choices.

Statistic 5

Average spend per meal in casual dining was 85 yuan in 2023.

Statistic 6

71% of Gen Z favor milk tea and bubble tea outlets daily.

Statistic 7

Health-conscious meals chosen by 55% of urban consumers weekly.

Statistic 8

48% prefer local cuisines over international in tier-1 cities.

Statistic 9

Peak dining time shifted to 18:00-20:00 for 65% of diners.

Statistic 10

37% of consumers use loyalty apps for discounts regularly.

Statistic 11

Vegetarian options demanded by 28% of diners in 2023 surveys.

Statistic 12

Group dining (4+ people) comprised 42% of restaurant visits.

Statistic 13

59% check online reviews before dining out.

Statistic 14

Solo dining rose to 22% of total meals in urban areas.

Statistic 15

Spicy food preference at 67% among southern consumers.

Statistic 16

51% willing to pay premium for sustainable sourcing.

Statistic 17

Weekend brunch popular with 39% of white-collar workers.

Statistic 18

Delivery preferred over dine-in by 60% during weekdays.

Statistic 19

44% of families dine out for children's birthdays annually.

Statistic 20

Craft beer consumption up 35% among 25-35 age group.

Statistic 21

73% use WeChat Pay or Alipay for restaurant payments.

Statistic 22

Low-calorie menu items ordered by 31% of female diners.

Statistic 23

56% prefer chain brands for consistency in quality.

Statistic 24

Hotpot social dining chosen by 49% for gatherings.

Statistic 25

64% of tourists try local street food on visits.

Statistic 26

Total catering employment reached 28 million workers in 2023.

Statistic 27

Average wage in catering sector was 45,000 yuan annually in 2023.

Statistic 28

65% of catering workforce are migrants from rural areas.

Statistic 29

Turnover rate in restaurants averaged 35% in 2023.

Statistic 30

Female employees comprised 52% of total catering staff.

Statistic 31

Chefs numbered 8.5 million in China's catering industry 2023.

Statistic 32

Service staff total 12 million, with training coverage 40%.

Statistic 33

Automation reduced manual labor needs by 15% in chains.

Statistic 34

Part-time workers made up 28% during peak seasons.

Statistic 35

Supply chain logistics employed 3.2 million in catering.

Statistic 36

China's catering industry CAGR from 2018-2023 was 8.2%.

Statistic 37

Projected CAGR for 2023-2028 is 9.1% for China's catering market.

Statistic 38

Foodservice market expected to grow at 10.5% annually to 2027.

Statistic 39

Online catering delivery projected to reach 1.5 trillion yuan by 2025.

Statistic 40

Full-service restaurants expected to grow 7.8% CAGR to 2028.

Statistic 41

Quick-service segment CAGR forecasted at 11.2% through 2027.

Statistic 42

Hotpot market projected to hit 800 billion yuan by 2025, CAGR 12%.

Statistic 43

Milk tea market growth rate of 15% expected annually to 2026.

Statistic 44

Overall industry recovery post-2022 expected to sustain 15% growth in 2024.

Statistic 45

Street food vendors projected to increase revenue by 18% YoY in 2024.

Statistic 46

Fine dining segment growth forecast at 6.5% CAGR to 2028.

Statistic 47

Delivery platforms market share to rise from 20% to 30% by 2027.

Statistic 48

Western cuisine growth in tier-2 cities at 13% CAGR projected.

Statistic 49

Health-focused catering projected CAGR of 14.2% to 2026.

Statistic 50

Coffee market in catering to grow 16% annually to 2025.

Statistic 51

Banquet services recovery growth of 22% expected in 2024.

Statistic 52

Rural catering market CAGR 11.8% forecasted to 2027.

Statistic 53

Plant-based menu items growth at 20% YoY projected.

Statistic 54

AI-integrated restaurants to capture 5% market growth by 2028.

Statistic 55

Tourism-driven catering growth 25% in 2024 post-recovery.

Statistic 56

Chain store expansion CAGR 9.5% to 2026.

Statistic 57

Zero-waste catering models growth 18% annually projected.

Statistic 58

Premium alcohol-pairing dining CAGR 10% to 2027.

Statistic 59

E-commerce integrated catering sales growth 28% YoY forecast.

Statistic 60

Haidilao operated over 1,500 restaurants in China by end-2023.

Statistic 61

Xi'an Famous Foods expanded to 300 outlets in 2023.

Statistic 62

McDonald's China had 5,500 stores generating 45 billion yuan revenue.

Statistic 63

KFC China outlets numbered 10,000 with 60 billion yuan sales.

Statistic 64

Starbucks China surpassed 6,500 stores in 2023.

Statistic 65

Nayuki milk tea chain had 1,200 outlets revenue 12 billion yuan.

Statistic 66

Haidilao's average store revenue was 120 million yuan annually.

Statistic 67

Dicos fast food chain operated 8,000 stores in 2023.

Statistic 68

Pizza Hut China had 2,800 outlets with strong pizza sales.

Statistic 69

Luckin Coffee expanded to 8,000+ stores surpassing Starbucks.

Statistic 70

Yonghe King congee chain had 400 outlets revenue growth 15%.

Statistic 71

Green Tea Restaurant chain totaled 500 stores in China.

Statistic 72

Huang Ji Huang brand hotpot chain 350 stores.

Statistic 73

Mixue Bingcheng ice cream tea had 25,000 outlets.

Statistic 74

Tim Hortons entered with 200 stores in 2023.

Statistic 75

Papa John's China 150 stores focusing pizza delivery.

Statistic 76

Subway China reached 700 outlets in 2023.

Statistic 77

Coco milk tea franchise 4,500 stores revenue 20 billion.

Statistic 78

Chagee tea chain grew to 1,000 stores rapidly.

Statistic 79

Vietnamese Pho chains like Pho 24 had 100 outlets.

Statistic 80

In 2023, China's catering industry generated total revenue of 5.31 trillion yuan, up 20.4% from 2022.

Statistic 81

The catering market size in China reached 4.67 trillion yuan in 2022, recovering strongly post-COVID.

Statistic 82

By 2027, China's catering industry is projected to exceed 6.5 trillion yuan in market value.

Statistic 83

Full-service restaurants accounted for 55% of total catering revenue in 2023, totaling about 2.92 trillion yuan.

Statistic 84

Quick service restaurants contributed 1.8 trillion yuan to China's catering revenue in 2023.

Statistic 85

In 2023, the average annual revenue per catering enterprise in China was 1.2 million yuan.

Statistic 86

China's catering industry revenue per capita reached 3,780 yuan in 2023.

Statistic 87

The online catering delivery segment generated 1.03 trillion yuan in 2023, 19% of total industry revenue.

Statistic 88

In H1 2023, catering revenue nationwide hit 2.44 trillion yuan, up 76.4% year-on-year.

Statistic 89

Beijing's catering industry revenue was 1,200 billion yuan in 2023, leading all provinces.

Statistic 90

Shanghai catering revenue reached 950 billion yuan in 2023.

Statistic 91

Guangdong province contributed 780 billion yuan to national catering revenue in 2023.

Statistic 92

The catering industry's GDP contribution in China was 4.5% in 2023.

Statistic 93

Total catering outlets numbered 12.9 million in China as of 2023.

Statistic 94

Revenue from hotpot segment alone was 500 billion yuan in 2023.

Statistic 95

Barbecue catering revenue hit 300 billion yuan in 2023.

Statistic 96

Snack and street food revenue totaled 1.1 trillion yuan in 2023.

Statistic 97

Fine dining segment revenue was 400 billion yuan, growing 15% YoY in 2023.

Statistic 98

Casual dining outlets generated 2.1 trillion yuan in 2023.

Statistic 99

The industry's total assets value stood at 8.2 trillion yuan end of 2023.

Statistic 100

In 2023, catering revenue growth rate was highest in central China at 25.3%.

Statistic 101

Western fast food revenue in China was 450 billion yuan in 2023.

Statistic 102

Traditional Chinese restaurant revenue totaled 3.2 trillion yuan in 2023.

Statistic 103

Delivery platform commissions contributed 150 billion yuan to revenue streams in 2023.

Statistic 104

Banquet and event catering revenue was 250 billion yuan in 2023.

Statistic 105

Tea house and milk tea revenue reached 600 billion yuan in 2023.

Statistic 106

Seafood restaurant revenue was 350 billion yuan in 2023.

Statistic 107

Vegetarian and health food catering revenue grew to 180 billion yuan in 2023.

Statistic 108

Coffee shop chain revenue totaled 280 billion yuan in 2023.

Statistic 109

The catering industry's export-related revenue was 120 billion yuan in 2023.

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Soaring past 5 trillion yuan in revenue and powering a culinary revolution from sizzling hotpots to aromatic tea houses, China's catering industry is not just feeding a nation but serving up a staggering economic feast, one delicious bite at a time.

Key Takeaways

In 2023, China's catering industry generated total revenue of 5.31 trillion yuan, up 20.4% from 2022.
The catering market size in China reached 4.67 trillion yuan in 2022, recovering strongly post-COVID.
By 2027, China's catering industry is projected to exceed 6.5 trillion yuan in market value.
China's catering industry CAGR from 2018-2023 was 8.2%.
Projected CAGR for 2023-2028 is 9.1% for China's catering market.
Foodservice market expected to grow at 10.5% annually to 2027.
68% of consumers dined out weekly in urban China in 2023.
45% of millennials prefer quick-service over full-service restaurants.
Online ordering accounted for 52% of all catering orders in 2023.
Haidilao operated over 1,500 restaurants in China by end-2023.
Xi'an Famous Foods expanded to 300 outlets in 2023.
McDonald's China had 5,500 stores generating 45 billion yuan revenue.
Total catering employment reached 28 million workers in 2023.
Average wage in catering sector was 45,000 yuan annually in 2023.
65% of catering workforce are migrants from rural areas.

China's catering industry thrives with strong growth and diverse popular segments.

Consumer Behavior

68% of consumers dined out weekly in urban China in 2023.
45% of millennials prefer quick-service over full-service restaurants.
Online ordering accounted for 52% of all catering orders in 2023.
62% of consumers prioritize food safety in restaurant choices.
Average spend per meal in casual dining was 85 yuan in 2023.
71% of Gen Z favor milk tea and bubble tea outlets daily.
Health-conscious meals chosen by 55% of urban consumers weekly.
48% prefer local cuisines over international in tier-1 cities.
Peak dining time shifted to 18:00-20:00 for 65% of diners.
37% of consumers use loyalty apps for discounts regularly.
Vegetarian options demanded by 28% of diners in 2023 surveys.
Group dining (4+ people) comprised 42% of restaurant visits.
59% check online reviews before dining out.
Solo dining rose to 22% of total meals in urban areas.
Spicy food preference at 67% among southern consumers.
51% willing to pay premium for sustainable sourcing.
Weekend brunch popular with 39% of white-collar workers.
Delivery preferred over dine-in by 60% during weekdays.
44% of families dine out for children's birthdays annually.
Craft beer consumption up 35% among 25-35 age group.
73% use WeChat Pay or Alipay for restaurant payments.
Low-calorie menu items ordered by 31% of female diners.
56% prefer chain brands for consistency in quality.
Hotpot social dining chosen by 49% for gatherings.
64% of tourists try local street food on visits.

Consumer Behavior Interpretation

Urban China's dining scene in 2023 reveals a nation of weekly restaurant-goers who are fiercely loyal to their phones for ordering and paying, deeply concerned with food safety, passionately divided between quick-service efficiency and social hotpot gatherings, and are increasingly health-conscious yet utterly devoted to milk tea, all while demanding quality, consistency, and a good online review before they commit their 85 yuan.

Employment and Operations

Total catering employment reached 28 million workers in 2023.
Average wage in catering sector was 45,000 yuan annually in 2023.
65% of catering workforce are migrants from rural areas.
Turnover rate in restaurants averaged 35% in 2023.
Female employees comprised 52% of total catering staff.
Chefs numbered 8.5 million in China's catering industry 2023.
Service staff total 12 million, with training coverage 40%.
Automation reduced manual labor needs by 15% in chains.
Part-time workers made up 28% during peak seasons.
Supply chain logistics employed 3.2 million in catering.

Employment and Operations Interpretation

These millions of chefs, servers, and logistics drivers—mostly rural migrants earning modest wages in a sector with sky-high turnover—pivot on a precarious axis, where a temporary 28% part-time surge meets a permanent 15% automation creep, all held together by a narrow majority of women.

Growth and Projections

China's catering industry CAGR from 2018-2023 was 8.2%.
Projected CAGR for 2023-2028 is 9.1% for China's catering market.
Foodservice market expected to grow at 10.5% annually to 2027.
Online catering delivery projected to reach 1.5 trillion yuan by 2025.
Full-service restaurants expected to grow 7.8% CAGR to 2028.
Quick-service segment CAGR forecasted at 11.2% through 2027.
Hotpot market projected to hit 800 billion yuan by 2025, CAGR 12%.
Milk tea market growth rate of 15% expected annually to 2026.
Overall industry recovery post-2022 expected to sustain 15% growth in 2024.
Street food vendors projected to increase revenue by 18% YoY in 2024.
Fine dining segment growth forecast at 6.5% CAGR to 2028.
Delivery platforms market share to rise from 20% to 30% by 2027.
Western cuisine growth in tier-2 cities at 13% CAGR projected.
Health-focused catering projected CAGR of 14.2% to 2026.
Coffee market in catering to grow 16% annually to 2025.
Banquet services recovery growth of 22% expected in 2024.
Rural catering market CAGR 11.8% forecasted to 2027.
Plant-based menu items growth at 20% YoY projected.
AI-integrated restaurants to capture 5% market growth by 2028.
Tourism-driven catering growth 25% in 2024 post-recovery.
Chain store expansion CAGR 9.5% to 2026.
Zero-waste catering models growth 18% annually projected.
Premium alcohol-pairing dining CAGR 10% to 2027.
E-commerce integrated catering sales growth 28% YoY forecast.

Growth and Projections Interpretation

Even as fine dining takes its measured pace, China's entire culinary landscape is bolting forward like a milk tea-addicted, hotpot-fueled, delivery-obsessed dynamo, where everything from street carts to AI menus is growing at a rate that would give a caffeine rush to the already surging coffee sector.

Major Chains and Players

Haidilao operated over 1,500 restaurants in China by end-2023.
Xi'an Famous Foods expanded to 300 outlets in 2023.
McDonald's China had 5,500 stores generating 45 billion yuan revenue.
KFC China outlets numbered 10,000 with 60 billion yuan sales.
Starbucks China surpassed 6,500 stores in 2023.
Nayuki milk tea chain had 1,200 outlets revenue 12 billion yuan.
Haidilao's average store revenue was 120 million yuan annually.
Dicos fast food chain operated 8,000 stores in 2023.
Pizza Hut China had 2,800 outlets with strong pizza sales.
Luckin Coffee expanded to 8,000+ stores surpassing Starbucks.
Yonghe King congee chain had 400 outlets revenue growth 15%.
Green Tea Restaurant chain totaled 500 stores in China.
Huang Ji Huang brand hotpot chain 350 stores.
Mixue Bingcheng ice cream tea had 25,000 outlets.
Tim Hortons entered with 200 stores in 2023.
Papa John's China 150 stores focusing pizza delivery.
Subway China reached 700 outlets in 2023.
Coco milk tea franchise 4,500 stores revenue 20 billion.
Chagee tea chain grew to 1,000 stores rapidly.
Vietnamese Pho chains like Pho 24 had 100 outlets.

Major Chains and Players Interpretation

Despite the staggering scale of giants like KFC and Starbucks, China's culinary landscape is a fiercely competitive battlefield where a single hotpot restaurant can generate more revenue than hundreds of trendy milk tea shops, proving that in this market, density doesn't always equal financial gravity.

Market Size and Revenue

In 2023, China's catering industry generated total revenue of 5.31 trillion yuan, up 20.4% from 2022.
The catering market size in China reached 4.67 trillion yuan in 2022, recovering strongly post-COVID.
By 2027, China's catering industry is projected to exceed 6.5 trillion yuan in market value.
Full-service restaurants accounted for 55% of total catering revenue in 2023, totaling about 2.92 trillion yuan.
Quick service restaurants contributed 1.8 trillion yuan to China's catering revenue in 2023.
In 2023, the average annual revenue per catering enterprise in China was 1.2 million yuan.
China's catering industry revenue per capita reached 3,780 yuan in 2023.
The online catering delivery segment generated 1.03 trillion yuan in 2023, 19% of total industry revenue.
In H1 2023, catering revenue nationwide hit 2.44 trillion yuan, up 76.4% year-on-year.
Beijing's catering industry revenue was 1,200 billion yuan in 2023, leading all provinces.
Shanghai catering revenue reached 950 billion yuan in 2023.
Guangdong province contributed 780 billion yuan to national catering revenue in 2023.
The catering industry's GDP contribution in China was 4.5% in 2023.
Total catering outlets numbered 12.9 million in China as of 2023.
Revenue from hotpot segment alone was 500 billion yuan in 2023.
Barbecue catering revenue hit 300 billion yuan in 2023.
Snack and street food revenue totaled 1.1 trillion yuan in 2023.
Fine dining segment revenue was 400 billion yuan, growing 15% YoY in 2023.
Casual dining outlets generated 2.1 trillion yuan in 2023.
The industry's total assets value stood at 8.2 trillion yuan end of 2023.
In 2023, catering revenue growth rate was highest in central China at 25.3%.
Western fast food revenue in China was 450 billion yuan in 2023.
Traditional Chinese restaurant revenue totaled 3.2 trillion yuan in 2023.
Delivery platform commissions contributed 150 billion yuan to revenue streams in 2023.
Banquet and event catering revenue was 250 billion yuan in 2023.
Tea house and milk tea revenue reached 600 billion yuan in 2023.
Seafood restaurant revenue was 350 billion yuan in 2023.
Vegetarian and health food catering revenue grew to 180 billion yuan in 2023.
Coffee shop chain revenue totaled 280 billion yuan in 2023.
The catering industry's export-related revenue was 120 billion yuan in 2023.

Market Size and Revenue Interpretation

China's diners, in a spectacular rebound from pandemic blues, have collectively decided that their national pastime is now officially eating their way to a 6.5 trillion yuan future, one hotpot, milk tea, and doorstep delivery at a time.

Sources & References

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