The Netherlands has seen a significant shift in its food and beverage service industry, with the number of bars and cafes decreasing by a third since 2007, according to a report by Statistics

Netherlands (CBS) released on Wednesday. The number of bars and cafes dropped by around 4,000 establishments, leaving just 8,080 this year. However, during the same period, restaurants grew by 58%, and caterers saw an explosive sixfold increase.

From October 1, 2007, to October 1, 2024, the total number of companies in the food and beverage sector grew by 83%, rising from nearly 38,000 to 69,000. Much of this growth is attributed to the rise of one-person event catering companies. Excluding these, the number of food and beverage service companies still grew by 25%.

Event caterers, in particular, saw a massive increase, with their numbers climbing from 4,240 in 2007 to 27,110 this year. One-person businesses in this category surged by an astounding 851% during this period.

CBS economist Marjolijn Jaarsma explained that a large portion of this growth occurred during the coronavirus pandemic, when restaurants were closed but delivery services continued. Many individuals who lost jobs in the catering industry may have started their own businesses. The growing popularity of festivals and the overall rise in sole proprietorships, as part of a more flexible labor market, also contributed to the expansion.

The restaurant sector similarly experienced considerable growth, with the number of restaurants increasing from 10,390 in 2007 to 16,460 in 2024. "Other eateries"—a category that includes snack bars, fast food restaurants, lunchrooms, and ice cream parlors—also grew, rising from 9,900 to 16,285 establishments.

In contrast, bars and cafes saw a notable decline, shrinking from 12,065 in 2007 to 8,080 in 2024. Jaarsma pointed out that this category, particularly traditional "brown cafes," has faced challenges for some time. The indoor smoking ban dealt a significant blow to these establishments, and many bars closed during the pandemic. Furthermore, changing social trends have led people to prefer dining out over simply grabbing a drink, according to the economist.

The provinces of Noord-Holland, Zuid-Holland, and Noord-Brabant host the largest number of food and beverage service businesses, collectively accounting for 59% of the industry in the Netherlands.

Flevoland saw the fastest growth in the sector, with a threefold increase in food and beverage businesses between 2007 and 2024. Noord-Holland and Utrecht followed, both experiencing significant economic and population growth during the same period. Photo by Paul2, Wikimedia commons.