Supper clubs, pop-up restaurants and street food stalls have taken the industry by storm. We’ve got the proof to back that statement up. Eventbrite found that the number of food and drink events hosted on its platform is increasing each year, and most of these are pop-ups with a whopping 82 per cent growth.
There’s so many reasons why people in the food industry have chosen to steer away from brick and mortar establishments, with the help of one UK’s leading LPG suppliers, Flogas, we explore why.
Minimal Investment
The low-cost of opening up a pop-up/streetfood business is attractive, so more people are doing it. The cost of opening a traditional restaurant can easily be over £300,000, However, if you open up a pop-up, you don’t need a particularly large investment to get your business off the ground. According to the hub, a small second hand catering trailer or market stall could be acquired for under £5,000. Also a report by the Nationwide Caterers Association acknowledges that a fully equipped market stall can be bought for around £3,000 and a food truck for an estimated £10,000.
People Are Willing to Pay More
To shed light on just how popular pop-up events have become, Eventbrite conducted a survey involving more than 2,000 people who had headed along to such dining experiences in the past. The survey found most people belief that it’s OK to pay more money for receiving a unique dining experience. Around half of respondents also said that they would be happy to pay more for a meal from the exact same menu at a pop-up event where chef interaction is involved, as opposed to one served in a regular restaurant.
A Chance to Be You
The pop-up model provides an ideal way for chefs to be creative, experiment and be themselves. Pop-up creator Melissa King says “There are so many chefs out there — they have their restaurants, their day jobs, but they’re looking for something more. That’s what the pop-up culture offers them. They are able to take over someone’s space for only a few hours and convert it into their own identity. It’s not just about the food, it’s about creating a memorable experience for the guests.”
People Value Unique Experiences
People are attracted to things that are perceived as underground or exclusive. According to Eventbrite, 84 per cent of those going to a pop-up want a unique theme or menu. This was followed by events held at memorable location (76 per cent) and occasions that promised to be a one-of-a-kind experience (74 per cent).