Breaking Dessert Barriers: Understanding and Overcoming Challenges in Out-of-Home Dessert Consumption
Discover what’s shaping dessert preferences in the UK out-of-home scene with our latest report, ‘Breaking Dessert Barriers’. We uncover the trends and insights to help operators elevate their dessert offerings, boost engagement, and drive sales.
Breaking Dessert Barriers
With 80% of consumers buying a dessert when dining out, how can operators leverage the preferences of these dessert lovers to keep driving sales and reach the remaining 20%?
Our report highlights key reasons why consumers avoid ordering desserts, such as being too full (54%), limited menu options (27%), and dining companions not ordering (20%). By addressing these barriers, operators can better cater to evolving demands, especially for health-conscious choices.
While indulgent options remain popular, consumers are also looking for desserts that don’t feel excessive. Our report reveals what consumers want to see more of on dessert menus:
- Dessert deals (37%)
- Sharing desserts (29%)
- Drink and mini dessert pairings (25%)
Top dessert choices and emerging trends
Cheesecake (41%) tops the list as the UK’s favorite dessert, followed by ice cream/sundaes (38%) and chocolate fudge cake/brownies (33%). These classic options tap into nostalgia, offering diners familiar comfort. However, younger consumers are showing a growing interest in innovative options like churros and crepes, creating opportunities for operators to blend nostalgia with novelty to cater to diverse tastes.
The Power Of The Brand
Brand familiarity plays a significant role in consumer choice. Our report found that 63% of Brits prefer a dessert that includes a familiar brand, with 49% showing interest in Nestlé brands like KITKAT®, AERO®, and ROLO®. These brands evoke comfort, increase perceived quality and can drive higher spending per visit.
Over a third (36%) of diners feel a sense of familiarity and comfort when they see a recognised brand on the menu. For 29% of consumers, a brand's presence enhances their trust in the venue, while nearly a quarter (24%) associate branded options with a
Explore the report
Ready to transform your dessert offerings? The ‘Breaking Dessert Barriers’ report is packed with in-depth insights and actionable strategies to help you connect with today’s dessert-loving diners. Discover the latest data on what drives dessert choices, explore innovative ways to address consumer barriers, and learn how to blend familiar favourites with new trends to keep your menu fresh and exciting.
We hope this report helps your business seize the many opportunities within the out-of-home dessert market.
