How we interact with the out of home environment
A common occurrence where convenience is key
In 2025, nearly everyone in Scotland ate out of home, showing just how common it has become. On average, we did so three to four times per week, typically buying around two items per visit, at a cost of around £6.30 (3). For many of us, eating out of home is simply part of daily life - whether before or after work or school, while travelling, or in between regular activities.
The rise of food 'on the go'
Speed and convenience have become the driving force that shapes our out of home eating behaviours. Food ‘on the go’ was by far the most common way people in Scotland ate out of home, making up 59% of eating occasions in 2023. Only a third of out of home eating occasions were ‘dine in’, and 10% were takeaway (4).
Where and how out of home food was eaten in Scotland in 2023
Here is a visual only chart of: Pie chart showing the breakdown of out of home eating occasions in Scotland in 2023
Please find more information provided in the detailed description and/or table below.
| Eating location | Share of purchases |
|---|---|
| Off the premises (food 'on the go') | 59% |
| On the premises (dine-in) | 33% |
| Takeaway | 9% |
Convenience shapes what we buy
During 2025, we tended to buy quick, convenient and lower cost options such as drinks and quick meals the most, with main meals being purchased much less often (3). This pattern underlines a key trend: many of our out of home eating behaviours are driven not just by taste, but by convenience, time and budget.
Number of transactions in millions by food and drink category in Scotland in 2025
Here is a visual only chart of: Bar chart showing the number of transactions made in 2025 to purchase hot drinks, cold drinks, quick meals, sweet snacks, main meals, and savoury snacks.
Scotland's changing out of home landscape
The number of places to eat out of home in Scotland has increased between 2010 and 2024 by over 20%, from 12,320 to 14,840 outlets (5). These figures don’t include convenience stores selling ready to eat food, of which there were 5,228 in Scotland in 2025, meaning that the actual number of outlets providing out of home food is much higher (6).
The rapid rise of takeaways
Takeaways in particular have grown quickly, with an increase of almost 50% between 2010 to 2024 (5). This increase means many areas now have more immediate access to fast, high calorie foods than ever before.
Number of takeaway outlets in Scotland from 2010 to 2024
Here is a visual only chart of: Line graph showing the number of takeaway outlets in Scotland by year from 2010 to 2024
Inequalities in the out of home food environment
The prevalence of takeaway food outlets in different areas are not equal across Scotland. The most deprived areas (SIMD Q1) have the highest median number of takeaways per person, while the least deprived (SIMD Q5) have the lowest (7). Variation in takeaway availability in different areas of deprivation may interact with other social and environmental factors linked to health inequalities.
Median takeaways per 1000 people (among data zones with takeaways) by SIMD quintile in Scotland in 2024
Here is a visual only chart of: Bar chart showing the number of takeaways per 1000 people in SMID quintiles 1 to 5 in 2024. Note: only includes the SMID data zones with takeaways.
What are we buying to take away?
We bought burgers more often than any other takeaway food in Scotland in 2023, making up almost a quarter of trips. Other popular foods were pizza, chicken and fish (including fried varieties) (4). These tend to be high in calories, affordable, and widely available, making them appealing options, particularly when time and money are limited.
Top five takeaway foods purchased in Scotland in 2023 by percentage share
Here is a visual only chart of: Bar chart showing the percentage share of purchases among the five most popular takeaway food types in Scotland in 2023
Speed and convenience shape our behaviours
Eating out of home has become part of everyday life in Scotland, shaped by convenience, cost and the environment around us. Quick meals and drinks are popular choices, and the number of takeaway outlets has increased over recent years, with the more deprived areas of Scotland having the highest median number of takeaways per person.