Starts with a bang, ends with a Wimpy

From Wimpy to Deliveroo – And Tea Rooms to Coffee Chains: How have UK Eating & Drinking Habits evolved

There’s something oddly comforting about watching “old” films – and by old, I don’t mean black-and-white classics, I mean footage from times I actually remember. The kind where you catch yourself saying, “I had one of those!” or “I remember when that was new!”

I recently stumbled upon a clip from 1981 that perfectly captures the early days of the UK fast food boom. Back then, In 1981, London had just 50 McDonald’s. A Big Mac Meal cost £1.52. Burger King had just landed in the UK with a £1 Whopper. And Wimpy… was still flying the flag for British burger joints, and was run by someone who looked suspiciously like Vladimir Putin.

For many of us, the 80s fast food scene was exciting and new. Fast food was a treat, a novelty – not the daily convenience we know today. Menus were simple, choices limited, and “home delivery” meant your Mother calling you in from the street when tea was ready. John Craven might have been the man keeping us informed on Newsround, but McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wimpy were quietly reshaping our eating habits.

Fast forward to today we see global chains that have expanded incredibly quickly around the World and into every corner of the UK. In the best examples - Menus are all inclusive of massively changing eating habits there's dairy alternative drinks, calorie counted meals and if you want it, you can understand the impact your food has on the environment. In technology, there's AI-powered ordering kiosks and app-only discounts. Delivery platforms like Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat make any meal a few taps away, meaning you can have your favourite meal at your door in under 30 minutes. Then there's app-exclusive deals that nudge how and when we eat. The industry hasn’t just grown – it’s adapted to every cultural and consumer shift, from healthier options to late-night cravings, plant-based diets to sustainability pledges.

And it’s not just fast food that’s evolved. The UK’s drinking habits have undergone their own transformation. Once, high streets were dotted with tea rooms and pubs; today, it’s coffee shops that dominate. Starbucks, Costa, and Nero have replaced many of the spaces where people once went for a cuppa or a pint.

For younger generations, coffee shops have overtaken pubs as the preferred place to meet. They’re Wi-Fi-enabled social hubs, business meeting spots, and safe, alcohol-free hangouts. Drinks trends have followed suit — cold brew, matcha lattes, turmeric shots, plant milks, and ever-more elaborate seasonal specials. The drink is only part of the experience; the space itself is what keeps people coming back.

Could you imagine, in 1981, someone telling you that one day you’d order a burger from your sofa on a device smaller than your wallet, track it in real-time, and pay without touching a single coin? We’d have laughed them out of the Wimpy booth.

It’s a relevant reminder for any business that trends change, customer expectations evolve –and we all need to feel the shifting plates, adapt, or risk getting left behind our competition.

One thing’s certain — whether it’s food or drink, trends change, tastes evolve, and businesses that adapt will always have a place on our high streets.

That’s why those at the intellectual forefront of change are still thriving I guess.

📺 For a dose of nostalgia, here’s the 1981 clip that started me thinking:

https://youtu.be/GXoQkbyaoxY?si=pxqfu3F21j_GI3IX