Airport Quick Service Restaurant Market Report 2026

The airport quick service restaurant market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $184.7 billion in 2025 to $194.89 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in global air passenger traffic, expansion of international airports, increasing preference for fast dining, rise in airport retail commercialization, growth of franchise based food outlets.

The airport quick service restaurant market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $233.94 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increase in air travel recovery rates, rising investment in smart airport infrastructure, demand for contactless dining solutions, expansion of low cost airlines, growing focus on passenger experience enhancement. Major trends in the forecast period include expansion of grab and go dining concepts, rising demand for health focused fast food options, growth of branded chain presence at airports, increasing adoption of self service kiosks, customization of menus for regional preferences.

Rising air passenger traffic is expected to drive the growth of the airport quick service restaurant market in the coming years. Air passenger traffic refers to the number of passengers traveling by air over a defined period, such as daily, monthly, quarterly, or annually. The increase in air travel is largely attributed to improved accessibility and the expansion of airline routes. Airport quick service restaurants are designed to provide fast service, enabling travelers to quickly purchase meals or snacks without interrupting their journey. These outlets support growing air traffic by offering efficient, convenient, and varied food options for passengers, airline personnel, and airport employees. For example, in November 2023, according to Eurostat, a Luxembourg-based statistical office of the European Union (EU), air travel across the EU saw a sharp rise in 2022, with total passenger numbers reaching 820 million, representing a 119.3% increase compared to the previous year. Therefore, the rise in air passenger traffic is fueling the growth of the airport quick service restaurant market.

Major companies operating in the airport quick service restaurant market are adopting advanced technologies, including airport-based pickup-only formats, to strengthen their competitive position. Airport-based pickup-only concepts are dining outlets located within airport terminals that offer food and beverages exclusively for takeaway or pickup. For instance, in September 2023, Starbucks Corporation, a US-based coffee restaurant chain, partnered with OTG, a US-based airport hospitality group, to introduce its first Starbucks Pickup locations at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. These outlets are designed to enable fast and convenient collection of orders placed via the Starbucks app, catering to digitally engaged travelers. The model allows customers to place and pay for orders in advance, track order status on digital screens upon arrival, and collect their items once ready.

In November 2023, Lagardère Travel Retail, a France-based travel retail operator, acquired Tastes on the Fly for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition broadens Paradies Lagardère’s, the parent company of Lagardère Travel Retail, presence to over 90 airports and strengthens its portfolio with more than 100 brand partners and proprietary concepts, including full-service and fast-casual dining options. Tastes on the Fly is a US-based airport dining company specializing in airport quick service restaurants.

Major companies operating in the airport quick service restaurant market are Starbucks Corporation, McDonalds Corporation, Subway IP LLC, Lagardère Travel Retail, Yum Brands Inc., Chick Fil A Inc., Panda Restaurant Group Inc., Autogrill SpA, SSP Group plc, Baskin Robbins, Wendys, Taco Bell IP Holder LLC, Burger King Company LLC, Dunkin Brands, Costa Limited, HMSHost International BV, Haldirams India Pvt Ltd, Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd., Devyani International Limited, OTG Management, Cafe Coffee Day, Wow Momo Foods Private Limited, Casual Food GmbH.

North America was the largest region in the airport quick service restaurant market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the airport quick service restaurant market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the airport quick service restaurant market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The airport quick service restaurant market consists of sales of local and regional cuisines, grab-and-go outlets, and specialty food outlets. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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