Sberbank examined the outlook for small catering businesses using data from its press service. At the same time, the food distribution segment emerged as the fastest expanding sector across the country, signaling a robust shift in consumer habits and local economies.
Over the past year, the footprint of food distribution expanded significantly. The number of outlets offering this service more than doubled, while total revenue rose by roughly 60 percent to surpass 1.4 billion rubles. The average purchase size also edged up by about 2 percent, settling around 875 rubles. Regional trends showed rapid growth, with more than a hundred percent gains in many areas of the federation. The principal markets by volume include the Moscow region, Krasnodar Territory, Moscow city, Yakutia, and the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, underscoring a broad geographic spread of activity.
Across the country, average revenue per organization continued to climb in every niche within the food service landscape. Fast food, in particular, demonstrated the strongest momentum, reporting a substantial rise from the prior year’s first quarter. The overall picture reflects a healthier sector with expanding demand, evolving menus, and a growing network of operators delivering convenience to customers.
The study also highlighted that the per-organization performance improved across all categories. In the fast food subsegment, the growth was especially pronounced. In Moscow, the typical check for all business types rose by double digits, reaching around 1,251 rubles for restaurants and about 1,289 rubles for clubs and bars. For fast food, the average ticket hovered near 387 rubles. The year began with Moscow recording the largest single transaction value, with a restaurant visit contributing roughly 2 million 25 thousand rubles. The Krasnoyarsk Territory followed with checks around 1 million 840 thousand rubles and 1 million 780 thousand rubles in two consecutive standout cases, illustrating the scale of consumer spending in peak moments.
Alexey Shashkin, head of Sberbank’s Small and Micro Business division, emphasized the bank’s mission to empower small enterprises and help them grow. His remarks point to a proactive approach in supporting entrepreneurial efforts through practical insights and targeted services.
He noted that ongoing market research informs the development of new services and offers. For instance, in Moscow, there is a pronounced preference for fast food, with many more visits compared to cafes and full-service restaurants. When compared to other big cities, Moscow sees a higher frequency of foot traffic to fast-food venues, highlighting consumer preferences for quick-service options. In regional markets like Omsk and Novosibirsk, the cadence of visits follows a different rhythm, yet still reflects strong demand for accessible dining. This data underscores a key takeaway: catering remains a popular and resilient category for small businesses, driven by convenience, variety, and the desire for value in everyday meals.