Market overview
The global catering market is worth USD 506 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 865 bn by 2036, growing at a 5.5% CAGR. United States is the largest country market and Business and industry is the largest by segment segment.
| Scope | Contract catering, event catering, institutional catering and airline catering, including food prepared for offices, schools, hospitals, aircraft and events. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food and Beverage |
| Value 2025 | USD 480 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 506 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 865 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 5.5% |
| Volume 2026 | 49,892 million meals |
| Volume 2036 | 73,433 million meals |
| Average price 2026 | USD 10.2 per meal |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Catering market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 506 bn |
| 2027 | USD 534 bn |
| 2028 | USD 564 bn |
| 2029 | USD 595 bn |
| 2030 | USD 627 bn |
| 2031 | USD 662 bn |
| 2032 | USD 698 bn |
| 2033 | USD 737 bn |
| 2034 | USD 777 bn |
| 2035 | USD 820 bn |
| 2036 | USD 865 bn |
Catering market segmentation
By segment
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business and industry | 26.0% | 24.7% | USD 132 bn | 5.0% |
| Healthcare and senior living | 18.0% | 17.9% | USD 91.2 bn | 5.5% |
| Education | 17.0% | 16.2% | USD 86.1 bn | 5.0% |
| Event and social catering | 19.0% | 20.8% | USD 96.2 bn | 6.5% |
| Airline and transport | 9.0% | 9.4% | USD 45.6 bn | 6.0% |
| Sports, leisure and remote sites | 11.0% | 11.0% | USD 55.7 bn | 5.5% |
By operator type
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contract caterers | 55.0% | 55.2% | USD 279 bn | 5.5% |
| In-house operations | 25.0% | 22.8% | USD 127 bn | 4.5% |
| Independent and event caterers | 20.0% | 22.0% | USD 101 bn | 6.5% |
By service model
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fully managed catering | 46.0% | 43.0% | USD 233 bn | 4.8% |
| Cook-chill and delivered meals | 22.0% | 23.0% | USD 111 bn | 6.0% |
| Vending and micro-markets | 14.0% | 16.0% | USD 70.9 bn | 6.9% |
| Event staffing and hospitality | 18.0% | 18.0% | USD 91.2 bn | 5.5% |
By contract type
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management fee | 35.0% | 34.0% | USD 177 bn | 5.2% |
| Fixed price | 30.0% | 29.0% | USD 152 bn | 5.1% |
| Profit and loss | 25.0% | 25.0% | USD 127 bn | 5.5% |
| Per-meal pricing | 10.0% | 12.0% | USD 50.6 bn | 7.4% |
By meal type
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | 38.0% | 36.0% | USD 192 bn | 4.9% |
| Dinner | 26.0% | 25.0% | USD 132 bn | 5.1% |
| Breakfast | 14.0% | 14.0% | USD 70.9 bn | 5.5% |
| Snacks and refreshments | 22.0% | 25.0% | USD 111 bn | 6.9% |
Top 25 countries for catering by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 74.5% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 94.4%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | USD 147 bn | 29.0% | USD 234 bn | 4.8% |
| 2 | China | USD 60.8 bn | 12.0% | USD 122 bn | 7.2% |
| 3 | United Kingdom | USD 30.4 bn | 6.0% | USD 48.4 bn | 4.8% |
| 4 | India | USD 25.3 bn | 5.0% | USD 64.0 bn | 9.7% |
| 5 | France | USD 25.3 bn | 5.0% | USD 38.1 bn | 4.2% |
| 6 | Germany | USD 22.8 bn | 4.5% | USD 34.6 bn | 4.3% |
| 7 | Japan | USD 22.8 bn | 4.5% | USD 31.1 bn | 3.2% |
| 8 | Brazil | USD 15.2 bn | 3.0% | USD 26.8 bn | 5.8% |
| 9 | Italy | USD 15.2 bn | 3.0% | USD 23.4 bn | 4.4% |
| 10 | Saudi Arabia | USD 12.7 bn | 2.5% | USD 26.8 bn | 7.8% |
| 11 | Canada | USD 12.3 bn | 2.4% | USD 20.0 bn | 5.0% |
| 12 | Australia | USD 12.3 bn | 2.4% | USD 20.0 bn | 5.0% |
| 13 | Spain | USD 12.3 bn | 2.4% | USD 20.0 bn | 5.0% |
| 14 | Netherlands | USD 12.2 bn | 2.4% | USD 19.8 bn | 5.0% |
| 15 | Mexico | USD 10.1 bn | 2.0% | USD 18.4 bn | 6.2% |
| 16 | South Korea | USD 8.4 bn | 1.6% | USD 13.6 bn | 5.0% |
| 17 | United Arab Emirates | USD 6.9 bn | 1.4% | USD 12.6 bn | 6.2% |
| 18 | Turkey | USD 5.8 bn | 1.1% | USD 9.4 bn | 5.0% |
| 19 | Indonesia | USD 4.8 bn | 0.9% | USD 9.8 bn | 7.3% |
| 20 | Sweden | USD 4.0 bn | 0.8% | USD 6.5 bn | 5.0% |
| 21 | Poland | USD 3.3 bn | 0.7% | USD 5.4 bn | 5.0% |
| 22 | Switzerland | USD 2.7 bn | 0.5% | USD 4.4 bn | 4.9% |
| 23 | Belgium | USD 2.3 bn | 0.5% | USD 3.7 bn | 5.0% |
| 24 | Singapore | USD 1.9 bn | 0.4% | USD 3.0 bn | 4.9% |
| 25 | Qatar | USD 1.6 bn | 0.3% | USD 2.9 bn | 6.2% |
| Rest of world | USD 28.5 bn | 5.6% | USD 46.8 bn | 5.1% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Compass Group
- Sodexo
- Aramark
- Elior Group
- Gategroup
- LSG Group
- Dnata
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- ISS A/S
- Avolta
- Delaware North
- Nippon Restaurant Enterprise
- Sysco
- Do & Co
- Samsung Welstory
- CJ Freshway
- Healthcare Services Group
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Newrest
- Flying Food Group
- Baxter Storey
- Whitsons Culinary Group
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the catering market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 5.5% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by segment, by operator type, by service model, by contract type, by meal type. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the catering market?
The global catering market is estimated at USD 480 bn in 2025 and USD 506 bn in 2026.
How fast will the catering market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 865 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 5.5% from 2026, an increase of USD 359 bn.
Which country is the largest market for catering?
United States is the largest market by revenue at USD 147 bn in 2026, 29.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 47.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 9.7% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which catering segment is largest?
In the by segment split, Business and industry is the largest segment with 26.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading catering companies?
Global leaders include Compass Group, Sodexo, Aramark, Elior Group.
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