China Culinary Association: Food and beverage market progressed steadily in November, “Double 11" online and offline linkages drive consumption

The Zhitong Finance App learned that on December 15, the China Culinary Association published an article stating that the overall operation of the catering market was stable in November, continuing a steady and progressive development trend, but the contradictions between strong supply and demand were prominent, and the development of the restaurant industry faced many challenges. In the next stage, the restaurant industry should fully implement the spirit of the Central Economic Work Conference, vigorously boost consumption, expand domestic demand, focus on promoting the integrated development of “Catering +”, and innovate diversified consumption scenarios. Empowering through scientific and technological innovation and artificial intelligence, we develop new quality productivity, improve human efficiency, energy efficiency and floor efficiency, encourage brand catering companies that are in a position to do so to actively explore overseas markets, continue to promote high-quality development of the catering industry, and better serve the overall economic and social development situation.

The latest data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on December 15 shows that in November 2025, the country's food and beverage revenue was 605.7 billion yuan, an increase of 3.2% over the previous year; the food and beverage revenue of units above the limit was 138 billion yuan, an increase of 1.2% over the previous year. From January to November 2025, the country's food and beverage revenue was 5224.5 billion yuan, up 3.3% year on year; the food and beverage revenue of units above the limit was 1493.3 billion yuan, up 2.3% year on year.

According to an analysis by the China Culinary Association, in November, the country's food and beverage revenue growth rate and the growth rate of food and beverage revenue per unit above the limit fell 0.8 points, 1.3 percentage points year-on-year. The country's food and beverage revenue accounted for 13.8% of total retail sales of social consumer goods, an increase of 2.6 percentage points over the previous month. The growth rate of food and beverage revenue in the country is 1.9 percentage points ahead of the growth rate of total retail sales of social consumer goods.

Figure: National food and beverage revenue and year-on-year growth rate for each month since 2024

Source: Compiled and produced based on data from the National Bureau of Statistics. ©China Culinary Association

“Double 11" is driving online and offline linkages to drive consumption. During the “Double 11" period, catering companies actively expanded the market through online pre-sales and live streaming delivery. Pre-sale orders for brands such as Changsha Juwei Quji Lobster Tang, Shanghai Haling Noodle Restaurant, and Yao Chicken King have increased significantly. Brands such as Ningbo Junji Kitchen and Dongfuyuan have also launched special packages in conjunction with the “Double Eleven” hotspots to effectively cover fall vacation consumption needs.

Categories such as warm food, warm drinks, and hot pot ushered in a peak in consumption. As temperatures drop, demand for “warm economy” categories such as hot pot, barbecue, stew, and hot drinks surged. The number of group purchase orders for Meituan's “Hot Pot Season” related themes increased by more than 330% over the same period last year. The number of customers at brand stores such as Haidilao, Xiabuxiabu, and Banu Maodu Hot Pot increased markedly, and the share of sales of Chabaidao hot drinks doubled, with significant seasonal driving force.