Full-Service Restaurants in France

PROSPECTS

Stronger performance of chained format unable to completely offset ongoing decline by independent European full-service restaurants

Full-service restaurants experienced a marginal improvement in current value sales terms in 2019 due to the performance of chained operators. However, the ongoing decline recorded by dominant independent operators, mainly linked to the largest category of independent European full-service restaurants, was too strong to completely offset the stronger growth of chained players.

Local consumers increasingly search for greater diversification and faster service

Within full-service restaurants there has been a notable shift away from European cuisine, dominated by independent operators, and towards more diverse options as French consumers are becoming increasingly adventurous when dining out leading to positive growth for Asian, Middle Eastern and Latin American formats. Moreover, demand for casual dining options such as chained pizza and North American full-service restaurants, with the latter recording the most impressive current value growth in 2019 with its offer of gourmet burgers for instance, is following the general trend experienced by limited-service restaurants, attracting younger consumers who demand a quick and efficient service when they go out to eat.

Home delivery set to increase in popularity, supported by online third party delivery platforms

While eat-in continued to dominate current value sales within full-service restaurants, the channel witnessed increasing demand for home delivery services. This trend is being supported by the rising popularity of online third party delivery platforms such as Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and JustEat, and driven by younger generations that are more proficient and comfortable with downloading and using mobile apps through which they can place orders for their preferred choice of cuisine.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Chained North American full-service brands stand out in highly fragmented competitive landscape

Full-service restaurants remained a highly fragmented competitive landscape due to the domination of independent operators, particularly within the largest European format. However, chained North American full-service brand Buffalo Grill retained its overall leadership in line with the growing demand for this type of cuisine amongst the French.

New hybrid concept launched by Italian brand in Paris

2019 witnessed Eataly open its first outlet in Paris. The restaurant, which is a play on words alluding to its origins, offers a wide variety of Italian food, much of which will be new to French consumers but is already successful in 14 different markets in addition to its home country.

Chained Asian full-service players set to experience stronger competition

Pan-Asian brand Wagamama, known for its Japanese-inspired ramen dishes amongst others, opened its first store in Paris in 2019, which will intensify the competition within chained Asian full-service restaurants. Its launch is well-timed to capitalise on the increasing demand for fast casual dining, healthy freshly-prepared food and more diverse types of cuisine as local consumers increasingly move away from the European format.

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