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Abstract
The aim of this paper is to analyse the various factors fuelling
demand for Food- Away - From- Home (FAFH) in Ireland. The two largest
components of this industry, the quick- service sector (fast food and
takeaway) and the full- service sector (hotel and restaurant meals), are
analysed using the most recently available Household Budget Survey
data for Ireland. The results from a Box- Cox double hurdle model
indicate that different variables affect expenditure in the different sectors
in different ways. Income has a greater effect on full- service
expenditure than on quick- service. Similarly households that are healthconscious
indicate a greater preference for full- service meals while
households with higher time values indicate a greater preference for
quick- service. Households of a higher social class and those with higher
education levels also appear to favour full- service expenditure. In
addition, younger, urbanised households favour quick- service meal
options. The results emphasise the merits of adopting a disaggregated
approach to analysing foodservice expenditure patterns.