Food eaten outside of the home makes up around 11-25% of the calories we eat and accounts for more than 25% of the total UK spend on food and drink. In 2019, 98 per cent of the population living in Scotland purchased food and drink out of home (OOH) at some point, visiting OOH four times per week on average.

Out of home food and drink includes any food or drink purchased for immediate consumption outside the home, including takeaway or home-delivered food. That can mean restaurants, quick service restaurants such as fast food chains or takeaways, pubs, coffee shops, petrol stations, bars, hotels, cinemas, vending machines, public transport, workplaces, colleges or universities and retail outlets.

In Scotland, we spend £4.6 billion each year on OOH food and drinks. Eating out is something we do to socialise or as a treat, as well as for convenience. However, there is evidence that food purchased from restaurants, fast-food outlets and takeaways is associated with higher calorie intakes and that eating OOH is associated with obesity.

For this research project, we’re speaking to OOH food business to find out what might make it easier or harder to provide healthier options. We’re carrying out a number of surveys with takeaways, cafes, canteens and restaurants, to hear what issues or opportunities they have to make changes that reduce the calorie content of the food they serve. We also want to find out what support or information they might need to do this in a way that works for businesses and consumers.

We’ll also be speaking to business owners and industry bodies to get an in-depth understanding of some of the issues they face and their views on healthier options through interviews and focus groups.

We’ll discuss our findings with the OOH industry and share our findings with the Scottish and Welsh Governments as they work on new policies and frameworks to increase the number of healthier options we have when we eat away from home.