With their 40th restaurant scheduled to open in Albury, NSW mid-year, casual dining restaurant Gami Chicken & Beer is taking full advantage of Australia’s increasing appetite for convenient, casual dining.
Australians’ dining preferences have shifted over recent years, with Australians increasingly choosing cheaper, casual dining options over premium dining.
Gami has noticed this shift throughout 2023, and more definitively in November when average revenue increased 29% year-over-year compared to November 2022. From the middle of 2023, their Bargain category registered substantial growth, adding $2.5M to revenue, further evidence of a growth in convenient casual dining.
“To navigate these conditions, restaurants have been revisiting menus and growing their takeaway and food delivery options to better meet changing consumer preferences,” said Jun Lee, Executive Director of Gami Chicken.
“With new restaurant and hospitality openings up 30 per cent[i], consumers have more choice than ever before, leading to increased competition among restaurants, cafes, pubs and fast-food chains. The consumer shift towards convenient, value dining is impacting the mid-and premium restaurant segment. These restaurants are navigating these changing market conditions through revised menus and portion sizes, which further encroaches on the fast-casual market space,” said Jun.
In a rapidly changing restaurant environment, Lee believes convenience remains the key driver of the casual dining sector, especially with Australians’ busy lifestyles being the key factor.
“Apart from significant family events, most Australian families have less time for dinner and will choose convenient dining or takeaway. Quick and easy dinners, which still allow for interaction between family members and friends for an hour’s duration is the strength of casual dining,” said Jun, noting that this offer is what Gami Chicken excels at.
For more information visit Gami Chicken.