Why calorie labelling on restaurant menus matters
Let’s face it- consumer habits are always evolving, and this has only accelerated post-pandemic. Delivery and takeaway sales have surged, combined sales nearly doubled from 2019 to 2021 and continued to increase year on year. Combined delivery, takeaway, and click-and-collect sales in July 2024 were 5.3% higher than in July 2023.
Health remains a national priority, with rising obesity rates placing further strain on health services. In 2022 to 2023, 64.0% of adults aged 18 years and over in England were estimated to be overweight or living with obesity.
As operators, acknowledging your social responsibility is key. Calorie labelling helps customers make informed choices about what they eat, which could ideally support healthier decisions. According to the Office for National Statistics, more than a third of people in the UK underestimate their calorie intake, making clear labelling crucial.
How can hospitality business owners make the most of this?
Building your brand
Health-consciousness is on the rise, and it’s more important than ever to align your brand with values that resonate with consumers. A report from Fentimans and CGA shows consumers continue to be health conscious in 2024, with more than two thirds (70%) proactively trying to lead a healthy lifestyle – a figure that has sustained since last year.
You can use calorie labelling as an opportunity to promote healthier options and offer a range of calorie choices. This could position your brand as a forward-thinking, health-conscious provider. Younger consumers, particularly, value these options, with 10% of 18-24 year-olds following low-calorie diets and adopting a flexi-sober approach. The data shows more than a fifth (22%) of consumers have reduced the amount of alcohol they drink in an average week. Offering a variety of menu options that support their health goals will increase your venue's appeal to this growing demographic, helping you to build customer loyalty.
Reviewing your menu offering
Creating a balanced offering that caters to health-conscious diners while still providing indulgent options is key. Consider healthier cooking methods, portion control, and swaps to reduce calorie content in popular dishes. For example, smaller portions of high-calorie dishes, or the introduction of nutritious, low-calorie sides, can widen your appeal.
Also-your delivery and takeaway menus can also benefit from this, as these services continue to grow.
Team training for seamless implementation
Your teams need to fully understand the calorie labelling guidelines and how to handle customer queries. Educating staff on the nutritional aspects of your menu ensures they can help customers by offering informed recommendations, further enhancing the guest experience.
Getting ahead in 2025
Although the calorie labelling legislation initially only applied to businesses in England with 250 or more employees, operators across the UK can still benefit from adopting these practices. Preparing for wider rollouts of similar regulations—or voluntarily implementing calorie labelling—can give your venue a competitive edge.
Some brands, such as JD Wetherspoon, have been displaying calorie information since 2011, providing transparency that customers value. Even if research suggests that calorie labelling alone doesn’t drastically alter dining choices, it builds trust and positions your business as transparent and consumer-friendly.
If you’re updating your menu or printing new materials, it’s worth factoring in nutritional labelling now. It’s not just about complying with current legislation; it’s about embracing consumer trends towards transparency, health-consciousness, and responsible dining.
Prepare for the future
As we move further into 2025, the push for healthier eating in the UK will likely continue. Alongside calorie labelling, we’re already seeing additional measures, such as bans on free refills of sugary drinks in restaurants. Forward-thinking operators should use these changes to build a more attractive offering for health-conscious diners.
By the end of 2024 it is widely believed that Owen’s Law , which compels restaurants to state the allergens in their dishes specifically on the face of the menu, will have been written into law.
Take the time now to review your menu and consider how you can support your guests' nutritional needs and get ahead of the legislation. Diversifying your offerings, preparing your staff, and embracing transparency will not only help with compliance but position your business as a leader in a healthier, more mindful dining experience.
Ready to simplify your calorie labelling compliance?
In this article, we’ve looked at how nutritional information and calorie labelling can benefit your business, improving customer satisfaction and their impression of your brand.
Investing in technology can streamline the process of calorie labelling.
Our menu management system can automate calculations, ensure accuracy, and simplify menu updates. By integrating this software with your existing restaurant management systems, you can maintain compliance with minimal effort.
To see how our allergen & nutritional management software can make life easier for you, download the brochure or watch our 7-minute demo video.
