Despite economic jitters, UK restaurant brands are still planning for growth, but many are flying blind when it comes to daily operations, accurate forecasting, and reliable vendor support.
We teamed up with the experts at Technomic to survey 100 multi-site restaurant operators across the UK. The goal? Get a real-world snapshot of how restaurants are navigating expansion while juggling today’s operational challenges. What we found makes one thing clear: the appetite for growth is strong, but the path forward requires sharper tools and better visibility.
So, What Did We Learn?
Let’s dig into the key takeaways from the UK Restaurant Growth Insights Report 2025:
1. Growth Is Still On the Menu
Even with ongoing economic uncertainty, UK operators are still growing. On average, they’re planning to open 20% more new locations over the next two years than they did in the previous two.
That’s a bold move, especially considering that 78% say they’re worried about the economy. Clearly, optimism is alive and well in the UK hospitality scene.
2. There’s a Visibility Gap
Operators know that real-time visibility into daily tasks is critical. 89% say it’s important, but only 31% actually have it.
That means two-thirds of those brands are operating without a full view of what’s happening in their restaurants every day. That’s a lot of decisions being made in the dark.
3. Forecasting Could Use a Tune-Up
Most brands are using tech to predict their sales, but the results aren’t quite hitting the mark. On average, UK operators report that their sales forecasts are only 62% accurate, even though 82% are using forecasting tools.
That kind of margin for error can make planning a challenge—from staffing to inventory to financial targets.
4. Vendors Can Make or Break Growth
Here’s a big one: 86% say they want partners who can grow with them, but 90% of operators who recently expanded said they ran into vendor-related issues, including cost increases, poor support, and lack of integration.
What This Means for the Industry
The UK restaurant industry isn’t sitting still, and while that’s great news, operators need stronger support behind the scenes to turn ambition into sustainable growth.
Want the Full Story? Download the full UK Restaurant Growth Insights Report 2025 to explore all the data and deeper insights.