Ana M. López
Research expert covering travel, tourism and hospitality
Foodservice in Spain - statistics & facts
The foodservice industry plays a key role in the culture and economy of Spain, as shown by the amount of companies offering this type of service. In 2023, Spain had the highest number of enterprises in the food and beverage serving activities in the European Union. Bars and coffee shops received the largest out-of-home expenditure in the country that year, while restaurants ranked as the second most popular foodservice establishments. In 2023, Spaniards and visitors in the country spent close to 35 billion euros consuming food and beverages out of home.
Big names in the market
Spanish gastronomy is one of the richest worldwide, so much so that – as part of the Mediterranean diet – Spanish food was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010. However, the foodservice offering in Spain is so much more than just its typical food options. For instance, the European country is home to one of the leading non-U.S. American fast-food chains worldwide: Telepizza. The company's outlet network has experienced uninterrupted growth since its foundation, surpassing 1,200 franchised and owned units across Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa in 2022. Telepizza is managed by the multi-brand group Food Delivery Brands, which ranked among the leading Spanish restaurant companies in 2023, with sales close to 180 million euros. However, big household names like the subsidiaries of Burger King and McDonald’s recorded some of the largest revenues in Spain that year.Eating out in Spain: when and why?
One of the key features of the Spanish people’s eating habits is the “siesta” or lunch nap. Across the country, businesses usually close between 2pm and 4pm to dedicate time for the mid-day meal. Despite this, lunch was the most common meal consumed outside the home in Spain in 2024. Late dinner hours are also a characteristic of the nation’s food traditions, which match its festive and open culture. In the same year, celebrations, parties, or leisure plans were responsible for one-third of the consumption of food and beverages outside the home in Spain.
