Meal deals and combinations is the leading food category constituting the majority of market share by the number of menu items offered in restaurants, followed by the meat dishes and salads & sides categories, according to GlobalData’s menu intelligence database. According to GlobalData’s menu analysis of the meal deals and combinations category in the UAE report, the meal deals and combinations category constitutes a 61% share among all restaurant types in the UAE foodservice market. The report analyses 36,336 menu items from different foodservice outlets in the UAE and provides an overview of the food categories available across its foodservice channel. Buy the report here.
Chicken was found to be the most-used ingredient in the meal deals and combinations category, featuring in 24% of menu items, followed by cheese and rice. Herbs, spices & seasonings and vegetables were also significant ingredients.
An analysis of the annual price change between 2023 and H1 2024 indicates that the average menu prices in the meal deals and combinations category remained flat. As on-premises dining gains momentum following the COVID-19 pandemic, the meal deals and combinations category in the UAE is expected to experience overall growth.
Different categories exhibited mixed price movements within the UAE foodservice market between 2023 and H1 2024. Food categories in the UAE witnessed price increase in their food offerings in the mentioned timeline. Out of these, pudding & desserts category saw highest price increase.
An in-depth analysis of the meal deals and combinations category price trend by location reveals consumption trends of each region. The graph below represents the change in meal deals and combinations category menu prices during 2022-2024 across the top five locations. As seen below, meal deals and combinations category menu items in Ajman became more affordable as compared to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
While consumers become more price conscious, operators look for ways to optimize their costs to retain margin and market share. In the UAE market, restaurants operators rely on innovation as a crucial tactic to appeal to customers as well as optimize costs. As increasing number of consumers seek novel experiences, foodservice operators must continuously innovate their menu choices, providing superior taste and quality along with a diverse selection of dishes. Operators should highlight the distinctive tastes and flavours of their food and beverage offerings in a convenient format to enhance customer engagement.
To further understand and explore GlobalData’s insight into the UAE category menu, buy the report here.
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