COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Autogrill strengthens leadership in travel-led cafés/bars
Autogrill remained the leader in cafés/bars in Italy in 2025, supported by the popularity and reach of brands such as Acafé and Snack Bar Autogrill in travel locations. The company recorded growth in 2025 largely due to expansion of Snack Bar Autogrill, reinforcing strength in high-footfall travel environments and a wide national footprint.
Starbucks expands rapidly and deepens experience-led positioning
Starbucks Coffee Italy was the most dynamic operator in 2025, with strong growth driven primarily by store expansion. The Starbucks brand remains popular among millennials and especially Gen Z, benefiting from a differentiated lounge-style experience compared to traditional Italian cafés.
Independent operators lose share as competition intensifies, while Lowengrube scales gradually
Independent operators still represented the vast majority of outlets in cafés/bars in Italy in 2025, particularly within cafés and bars/pubs. However, independents lost share to chained players during the year, reflecting intensifying competition within cafés/bars and from adjacent consumer foodservice formats such as bakery products limited-service restaurants.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Cafés/Bars industry in Italy with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
If you're in the Cafés/Bars industry in Italy, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Cafés/Bars in Italy report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Cafés/Bars in Italy?
- Which are the leading brands in Cafés/Bars in Italy?
- How are multinational and local operators competing and expanding in Italy?
- How are consumer lifestyle trends and eating habits shaping Cafés/Bars in Italy?
- How is the Cafés/Bars industry adapting to a post-COVID-19 market environment? Where are the opportunities amidst the challenges?
- How significant are health considerations in shaping the future of Cafés/Bars in Italy? Which of these trends hold the greatest potential demand?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
Cafés/Bars in Italy - Category analysis
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Health-led niches gain share as traditional cafés/bars come under pressure
Demand stays subdued as younger consumers shift away from espresso-led routines
Independent contraction accelerates, but renewal begins to improve offer quality
Health and wellness trends drive momentum, while platform presence grows from a low base
Traditional cafés and bars/pubs face further struggles, with dynamism anticipated for specialist formats
Eat-in will remain dominant, while online ordering becomes more important in growth segments
Sustainability and health cues to shape innovation, including inclusion-led initiatives
Autogrill strengthens leadership in travel-led cafés/bars
Starbucks expands rapidly and deepens experience-led positioning
Independent operators lose share as competition intensifies, while Lowengrube scales gradually
Consumer Foodservice in Italy - Industry Overview
Demand pressure reshapes channel mix, favouring value-led formats
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Limited-service restaurants gain momentum, full-service restaurants lose footfall
Fulfilment diverges by channel as online ordering expands
Loyalty schemes and convenience-led offers gain traction
Trading down remains structural feature, keeping limited-service restaurants in focus
Dark kitchens will become more industrialised, strengthening delivery-led supply
Sustainability and technology adoption to accelerate, with chains moving first
McDonald’s stays ahead, while Autogrill expands through travel hubs and hybrid concepts
Multinationals benefit from widening networks
Technology becomes clearer differentiator as chains invest more heavily
Independents remain dominant in outlet terms, with chains gaining share through scale and execution
Delivery-led models grow in relevance, while hybrid formats broaden location strategies
DISCLAIMER
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Cafés/Bars
- Chained Cafés/Bars
- Independent Cafés/Bars
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- Chained Bars/Pubs
- Independent Bars/Pubs
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- Chained Cafés
- Independent Cafés
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- Chained Juice/Smoothie Bars
- Independent Juice/Smoothie Bars
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- Chained Specialist Coffee and Tea Shops
- Independent Specialist Coffee and Tea Shops
Cafés/Bars
This category encompasses all establishments where the focus is on drinking (either alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages). While a wide variety of snacks and full meals are offered, it is not uncommon for consumers to only order a drink. As a general rule, establishments deriving 50% of their income or more from the sale of drinks are included here.
See all of our definitionsWhy buy this report?
- Gain competitive intelligence about market leaders
- Track key industry trends, opportunities and threats
- Inform your marketing, brand, strategy and market development, sales and supply functions
This report originates from Passport, our Cafés/Bars research and analysis database.
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