What really drives the cost of Christmas dining

While inflationary pressures eased slightly compared with the previous year, data from Meaningful Vision shows that eating out over the Christmas period was still significantly more expensive than many diners expected. The latest analysis looks back at how restaurants and pub groups across the UK navigated rising labour costs, softer footfall, and increasingly cautious consumer behaviour during their most important trading period of the year.

Drawing on pricing data from 5,000 locations operated by leading hospitality groups, the article reveals a complex picture. Average festive menu prices reached £36 per person, with the majority of outlets increasing prices at a rate well above inflation. At the same time, competitive pressures led a notable proportion of operators to hold or even reduce prices, signalling a more restrained approach than the sharp increases seen in 2024.

Beyond headline price rises, Meaningful Vision highlights how businesses adapted their festive offers. Many removed two-course options, scaled back bundled extras, and focused on encouraging higher spend per visit to offset declining customer numbers. Together, these insights point to an industry under strain, where headline revenue growth masks deeper structural challenges facing UK hospitality at the end of the Christmas trading period.