Working from home has changed the way people dine out in the UK, according to a major pizza chain boss. More individuals are opting to eat out on Sunday evenings, shifting away from the traditional Sunday back-to-work blues. Fridays, on the other hand, have become more challenging for hospitality businesses due to the changing post-Covid working patterns.
Thom Elliot, the co-founder of Pizza Pilgrims, noted that dining behavior has shifted with the rise of hybrid working. He mentioned that the concept of a “treat meal” during the week still exists, with Thursdays now being considered the new Fridays. However, this change has made trading tougher on Fridays, as hospitality firms used to experience strong sales at the end of the week.
Despite this, Elliot highlighted that Saturdays have become much more significant than before Covid, and there is a noticeable increase in people dining out on Sunday nights. He attributed this trend to the mindset of not having to go to the office on Monday morning, allowing for a more relaxed start to the week.
Pizza Pilgrims, with around 25 restaurants across the UK, recently reported a significant increase in pre-tax profit and revenue. Elliot mentioned that there was a rush towards neighborhood areas during Covid, with restaurants opening up to cater to consumers staying close to home. While visitor numbers have mostly returned to pre-Covid levels, busy city hotspots like London’s West End are back and busier than ever.
In the casual dining sector, new entrants like Franco Manca have experienced rapid growth, operating over 70 restaurants in the UK. However, other chains have faced challenges in the post-pandemic recovery, including rising food and energy costs and consumer belt-tightening due to cost-of-living pressures. For instance, the operator of TGI Fridays in the UK recently entered administration and is seeking a buyer for its chain of restaurants.
On the other hand, unions and equality campaigners are advocating for flexible working practices to be supported and not undermined. They emphasize that flexible working can help bring more people into the labor market and retain them. As the Government prepares to publish its Employment Rights Bill, which will address issues such as zero-hour contracts and rights to flexible working, these organizations stress the importance of embracing flexible work arrangements rather than demonizing them.
