Public Catering Market: Regional Features and Key Growth Drivers

Abstract

Between 2010 and 2018, Russian public catering market has overcome several falls and rises of the market due to certain trends and special features. The paper aims to define the key factors that constrain the growth of public catering regarding regional features and specifying feasible growth drivers for the business sector. The paper compares regional features with national and world trends in catering by employing analytical reviews and statistics from national and regional statistical offices. The formal questionnaire for Altai Krai residents helped to define regional features. The research employed analysis techniques, comparison, statistical techniques, expert evaluation approach, etc. The article presents the findings which reflect regional features and show the most attractive public catering formats for the residents: cafes, bars, and fast food restaurants. The regional consumers show low attendance records for public catering places and have a low average bill. The paper also reveals a conflict between the consumer expectations and real components of quality of service in public catering within the region. In conclusion, the article states major drivers for public catering in the region. Soon one of them will be the format of fast food restaurants. To develop other formats, the region will need to shape some eating choices. The crisis of 2020 has finally shaped another feasible driver in the sector—“RTE Meals delivery.”