Veggie burgers are now the most popular vegetarian item on pub menus with 35% of all outlets stocking one according to food & drink consultants, CGA Strategy.
Similar to their meat equivalents, Veggie Burgers are appearing on more menus and have a particular presence in Café/Circuit Bars, most commonly found on the high street, with 64% of all of this type of outlet listing them.
Popular and expensive
CGA’s Trading Index data shows that not only is the veggie burger the most popular vegetarian menu item it is also one of the most expensive. With the average price of a burger coming in at £7.44 they are significantly more expensive than both a vegetarian curry (£5.88) and a vegetarian lasagne (£6.83).
Increase in vegetarian options
Vegetarian options are becoming more common and more diverse across many UK pubs with outlets improving their offer to try and attract all types of customers. Some retailers now no longer stock both a meat and vegetarian lasagne but instead just go for the non-meat option. Premium-based choices such as goat’s cheese lasagne are helping to drive this shift.
Quality of all food types is essential
CGA’s Scott Elliott says: There is no doubt that the public are more health conscious than ever and we believe that credible vegetarian menu items will continue to see growth. That said, the on trade visit is increasingly viewed as a treat event and average quality, uninspired food, whether vegetarian or not, is just not going to cut the mustard. More than most, vegetarian offers need to tick all the boxes in this demanding climate…healthy, interestingly conceived and crucially, delicious.”
About CGA Strategy
CGA Strategy is the leading on trade consultancy with over twenty years’ experience of blending best in class quantitative analytics with exceptional market understanding, to create truly actionable insight.
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