Industry Statistics and Trends
Caterers in Europe key trends
Caterers expand their offerings to meet client needs.
Evolving consumer preferences and tastes are forcing caterers to innovate and introduce new offerings that address growing health and environmental awareness, as well as veganism and vegetarianism.
Sustainability is gaining prominence.
As eco-friendly practices become more important amid increasingly environmentally conscious consumers, caterers adopting waste reduction, eco-friendly packaging and local sourcing will stand out.
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Caterers in Europe
Industry Revenue
Total value and annual change from 2012-2030. Includes 5-year outlook.
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Caterers in Europe market size (2020-2025)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 8.5 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €25.5bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Falling marriage rates hinder demand for wedding caterers
- The number of marriages across Europe has dropped in recent decades, suppressing demand for catering at weddings. According to Eurostat, 1.8 million marriages took place in the EU in 2023, with the marriage rate per 1,000 persons (crude marriage rate) declining by over 50% in relative terms since 1964.
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Caterers in Europe outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Businesses and private consumers will prop up demand for specialist catering services
- While the economic climate is subdued and uncertainty reigns, economic conditions are anticipated to improve in the coming years. European Commission projections from November 2024 forecast that inflation in the EU will come down to the target of 2% in 2026 (from 2.4% in 2025) and GDP growth to accelerate to 1.8% in 2026 (from 1.5% in 2025). The UK's economic situation is similar, where the Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts GDP to expand by between 1.7% and 1.9% annually by 2029, while inflation is expected to hit the 2% target in 2027. However, any escalation to trade disputes or geopolitical instability could threaten economic growth and restrict spending on budgets by individuals and businesses.
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Revenue
€25.5bn
Employees
376k
Wages
€X.Xbn
European Leaders & Laggards
* CAGR values are for the years 2020-2025.
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Biggest companies in the Caterers in Europe
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (€m)
2025 | Profit (€m)
2025 | Profit Margin (%)
2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CH & Co Catering Group Ltd | 617.2 | 17.5 | 2.8 | |
Potel Et Chabot SAS | 139.3 | 6.0 | 4.3 | |
Albron BV | 441.0 | 43.1 | 9.8 |
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Caterers in Europe
Products & Services Segmentation
Industry revenue broken down by key product and services lines.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report
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What is the market size of the Caterers industry in Europe in 2025?
The market size of the Caterers industry in Europe is €25.5bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Caterers industry in Europe in 2025?
There are 105k businesses in the Caterers industry in Europe, which has grown at a CAGR of 7.3 % between 2020 and 2025.
Has the Caterers industry in Europe grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Caterers industry in Europe has been growing at a CAGR of 8.5 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Caterers industry in Europe over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Caterers industry in Europe is expected to grow.
What does the Caterers industry in Europe include?
Corporate functions and Weddings are part of the Caterers industry in Europe.
Which countries have the most businesses in the Caterers industry in Europe?
The European country with the most businesses in the Caterers industry is France.
How competitive is the Caterers industry in Europe?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Caterers industry in Europe.
Related Industries
This industry is covered in 37 countries
- Caterers in Luxembourg
- Caterers in Russia
- Caterers in Slovakia
- Caterers in Turkey
- Caterers in Ireland
- Caterers in Finland
- Caterers in Bulgaria
- Caterers in Greece
- Caterers in Romania
- Caterers in Norway
- Caterers in Hungary
- Caterers in Denmark
- Caterers in Poland
- Caterers in Malta
- Caterers in Croatia
- Caterers in Slovenia
- Caterers in Austria
- Caterers in France
- Caterers in the UK
- Caterers in Italy
- Caterers in Sweden
- Caterers in Germany
- Caterers in Latvia
- Caterers in Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Caterers in Spain
- Caterers in Portugal
- Caterers in Serbia
- Caterers in the Netherlands
- Caterers in Belgium
- Caterers in Cyprus
- Caterers in Estonia
- Caterers in Iceland
- Caterers in Europe
- Catering Services in the UK
- Catering Services in Germany
- Catering Services in Ireland
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The industry includes companies engaged in the provision of catering services for one-off events at specified locations like weddings, private parties and corporate functions. The industry excludes the provision of contracted catering on an ongoing basis.
Related Terms
Food-Service ContractorsVeganismSustainable ProduceCrude Marriage RateWhat's included in this industry?
Corporate functionsWeddingsPrivate functionsCommunity events and educational facilitiesCompanies
CH & Co Catering Group LtdPotel Et Chabot SASAlbron BVIndustry Code
5621 - Event catering in Europe
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Performance
Key Takeaways
Falling marriage rates hinder demand for wedding caterers
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Revenue Highlights
Trends
- Revenue
- 2025 Revenue Growth
- Revenue Volatility
Employment Highlights
Trends
- Employees
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Employee
Business Highlights
Trends
- Businesses
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Business
Profit Highlights
Trends
- Total Profit
- Profit Margin
- Profit per Business
Current Performance
Charts
- Revenue in the Caterers in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Employees in the Caterers in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Business in the Caterers in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Profit in the Caterers in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
Analysis
What's driving current industry performance in the Caterers in Europe industry?
Outlook
Analysis
What's driving the Caterers in Europe industry outlook?
Volatility
Analysis
What influences volatility in the Caterers in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth Matrix
Life Cycle
Analysis
What determines the industry life cycle stage in the Caterers in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Life Cycle Matrix
Products and Markets
Highlights
Trends
- Largest Market
- Product Innovation
Key Takeaways
A subdued economic environment hinders business spending on catering. Despite easing inflation from the high levels in 2022 and 2023, prolonged economic uncertainty amid geopolitical tensions and US tariff fears has restricted business spending on corporate functions.
Products and Services
Charts
- Products and Services Segmentation
Analysis
How are the Caterers in Europe industry's products and services performing?
Analysis
What are innovations in the Caterers in Europe industry's products and services?
Major Markets
Charts
- Major Market Segmentation
Analysis
What influences demand in the Caterers in Europe industry?
International Trade
Highlights
- Largest Importer
- Smallest Importer
- Total Imports into Europe
- Largest Exporter
- Smallest Exporter
- Total Exports into Europe
Heat maps
- Industry Concentration of Imports by Country
- Industry Concentration of Exports by Country
Data Tables
Value and annual change (%) included
- Number of Imports and Exports by European Country (2025)
Geographic Breakdown
Business Locations
Heat maps
- Share of Total Industry Revenue by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Enterprises by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Employment by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Wages by Region (2025)
Industry Geographic Breakdown
Data Tables
Values and annual change provided for 37 European countries:
- Revenue (2025)
- IVA (2025)
- Enterprises (2025)
- Employment (2025)
- Exports (2025)
- Imports (2025)
Competitive Forces
Highlights
Trends
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
Key Takeaways
The industry is highly fragmented. Many small-scale catering service providers with new caterers are entering the industry due to opportunities presented by consumers' growing health and sustainability awareness across Europe.
Supply Chain
Charts
Buyer and supply industries
Companies
Market Share
Charts
- Industry Market Share by Company (2020-2025)
Companies
Data Tables
Top 14 companies by market share:
- Market share (2025)
- Revenue (2025)
- Profit (2025)
- Profit Margin (2025)
Data Tables
- Countries of operation for CH & Co Catering Group Ltd
- Countries of operation for Potel Et Chabot SAS
- Countries of operation for Albron BV
- Countries of operation for Kuffler Catering Service GmbH & Co KG
- Countries of operation for Absolute Taste Ltd
- Countries of operation for Butard Enescot SAS
- Countries of operation for Agriserv Europa Meat SRL
- Countries of operation for Carpe Diem Catering Ltd
- Countries of operation for Risto3
- Countries of operation for MyTraiteur
- Countries of operation for John Coughlan Catering Ltd
- Countries of operation for Hoche Selection SAS
- Countries of operation for Alro Catering SL
- Countries of operation for lemonpie Eventcatering GmbH
External Environment
Highlights
Trends
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key Takeaways
Caterers must abide by strict food rules. Due to the services provided by catering service companies, they must meet various food health and safety standard regulations, including food preparation, storage and disposal.
External Drivers
Analysis
What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Caterers in Europe industry?
Financial Benchmarks
Highlights
Trends
- Profit Margin
- Average Wage
- Largest Cost
Key Takeaways
Elevated costs subdued profit expansion. Despite inflation easing, input costs have remained above historic averages, constraining caterers’ profit as intense competition has limited their ability to fully pass on costs to clients.
Cost Structure
Charts
- Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
-
Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
- Marketing
- Depreciation
- Profit
- Purchases
- Wages
- Rent
- Utilities
- Other
Analysis
What trends impact cost in the Caterers in Europe industry?
Key Ratios
Data tables
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
Country Benchmarks
European Leaders & Laggards
Data Tables
Top and bottom five countries listed for each:
- Revenue Growth (2025)
- Business Growth (2025)
- Job Growth (2025)
European Country Performance
Data Tables
Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:
- IVA/Revenue (2025)
- Imports/Demand (2025)
- Exports/Revenue (2025)
- Revenue per Employee (2025)
- Wages/Revenue (2025)
- Employees per Establishment (2025)
- Average Wage (2025)
Structural Comparison
Data Tables
Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
- Volatility
- Capital Intensity
- Innovation
- Life Cycle
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Methodology
Where does IBISWorld source its data?
IBISWorld is a world-leading provider of business information, with reports on 5,000+ industries in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and China. Our expert industry analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build an accurate picture of each industry.
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
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