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VIETNAM’S INDUSTRIAL CATERING INDUSTRY IN 2025: STAYING RESILIENT AMIDST TURBULENCE FROM A CUSTOMER’S PERSPECTIVE
2024 has been a year of tremendous challenges for Vietnam’s F&B sector, particularly the industrial catering industry. Not only have suppliers faced rising costs, but customers—manufacturing businesses, schools, and hospitals—are also struggling to control their budgets.
Statistics show that only 14.7% of businesses in the industry achieved growth, while nearly 50% are planning price adjustments for 2025 to cope with escalating costs. But is it that simple?
The total revenue of the sector has still grown by 16.6%, reaching 688.8 trillion VND, yet the reality shows a stark division: large-scale enterprises remain strong, while many small businesses are struggling to maintain contracts.
Customers in the industrial catering industry—mainly manufacturing companies, schools, and large organizations—are also feeling the pressure. They need high-quality meals for employees and students while ensuring that costs don’t spiral out of control. This has made the relationship between suppliers and customers both closer and more challenging than ever.
WHAT CHALLENGES DO CUSTOMERS FACE?
In the past, businesses mainly focused on meal prices, but now, they must consider many other factors:
✅ Quality & Nutrition: Employees and students need balanced meals to work efficiently and study well.
✅ Price Stability: While food costs fluctuate, meal budgets must remain stable.
✅ Food Safety: After a series of food safety scandals, customers demand transparency from suppliers.
✅ Cost Optimization: Businesses must control costs without compromising quality.
This puts HR managers, administrative teams, school boards, and factory operations teams under immense pressure to find a catering partner that not only provides good food but also has a strong management system to help control budgets while ensuring quality.
A factory manager shared: “We can’t just go for the cheapest meal option, but if prices increase without a reasonable solution, the leadership won’t approve the budget. We need a supplier who understands this dilemma.”
INDUSTRIAL CATERING: MAINTAINING PRICES AMIDST COST PRESSURES
Among all F&B segments, industrial catering faces the greatest cost pressures.
From a supplier’s perspective, we understand that:
- Raw materials account for the largest share of meal costs, meaning any price fluctuation directly impacts profitability.
- Customers can’t freely increase their budgets, making demands for price stability even more stringent.
- Shifts in dining trends require suppliers to update menus while keeping costs reasonable.
From a customer’s point of view, they are also under pressure from their management and the end users of the meals. A poorly prepared meal doesn’t just impact health and morale—it directly affects productivity.
An HR representative from an industrial park shared: “We need a reliable catering provider who can maintain stable pricing while ensuring balanced nutrition. Changing suppliers frequently creates operational risks.”
This creates an urgent need for industrial caterers: beyond meal preparation, they must offer a comprehensive solution that helps customers control costs, streamline operations, and maintain long-term satisfaction.
2025: FINDING SOLUTIONS OR CLOSING DOORS?
Vietnam’s F&B sector is projected to grow by 9.6% in 2025, but not every business will be able to seize the opportunity.
Without the right solutions for customers, many catering companies will be forced out of the market.
At Hiepphatfood Catering, we recognize that to support our customers during this challenging period, we must:
✔ Optimize raw material sourcing, collaborating with reputable suppliers to secure the best prices.
✔ Tightly control costs, reducing waste and improving operational efficiency.
✔ Design flexible menus, balancing nutrition, customer preferences, and cost efficiency.
✔ Provide transparency, allowing customers to monitor and track meal quality.
✔ Work closely with customers to find cost-saving strategies without compromising quality.
A senior executive from a large factory commented: “We are willing to work with a catering partner who has a long-term strategy rather than one focused solely on pricing.”
This is the moment when industrial caterers need to look beyond pricing—it’s about creating sustainable value for customers.
THE FUTURE OF INDUSTRIAL CATERING: BEYOND JUST A GOOD MEAL
The success of an industrial catering provider is not only about the quality of the meals served but also about helping customers manage their budgets and operations effectively.
As the market demands more, the key question is no longer “who serves the best meal?” but “who can do it at the best value, sustainably?”
The industrial catering industry stands at a major crossroads. Those who fail to adapt will disappear, while those who innovate will thrive.
Hiepphatfood Catering understands that we are not just a meal provider; we are a strategic partner, helping customers optimize budgets, enhance service quality, and build long-term stability.
We are committed to:
✅ Delivering real value—not just meals, but a comprehensive solution.
✅ Transparency, professionalism, and true partnership with customers in every challenge.
✅ Sustainable development—for the long-term benefit of both parties.
Customers need a reliable partner—not just for 2025, but for the years to come.
Hiepphatfood Catering is ready to stand by your side!
2024 has been a year of tremendous challenges for Vietnam’s F&B sector, particularly the industrial catering industry. Not only have suppliers faced rising costs, but customers—manufacturing businesses, schools, and hospitals—are also struggling to control their budgets.
Statistics show that only 14.7% of businesses in the industry achieved growth, while nearly 50% are planning price adjustments for 2025 to cope with escalating costs. But is it that simple?
The total revenue of the sector has still grown by 16.6%, reaching 688.8 trillion VND, yet the reality shows a stark division: large-scale enterprises remain strong, while many small businesses are struggling to maintain contracts.
Customers in the industrial catering industry—mainly manufacturing companies, schools, and large organizations—are also feeling the pressure. They need high-quality meals for employees and students while ensuring that costs don’t spiral out of control. This has made the relationship between suppliers and customers both closer and more challenging than ever.
WHAT CHALLENGES DO CUSTOMERS FACE?
In the past, businesses mainly focused on meal prices, but now, they must consider many other factors:
✅ Quality & Nutrition: Employees and students need balanced meals to work efficiently and study well.
✅ Price Stability: While food costs fluctuate, meal budgets must remain stable.
✅ Food Safety: After a series of food safety scandals, customers demand transparency from suppliers.
✅ Cost Optimization: Businesses must control costs without compromising quality.
This puts HR managers, administrative teams, school boards, and factory operations teams under immense pressure to find a catering partner that not only provides good food but also has a strong management system to help control budgets while ensuring quality.
A factory manager shared: “We can’t just go for the cheapest meal option, but if prices increase without a reasonable solution, the leadership won’t approve the budget. We need a supplier who understands this dilemma.”
INDUSTRIAL CATERING: MAINTAINING PRICES AMIDST COST PRESSURES
Among all F&B segments, industrial catering faces the greatest cost pressures.
From a supplier’s perspective, we understand that:
- Raw materials account for the largest share of meal costs, meaning any price fluctuation directly impacts profitability.
- Customers can’t freely increase their budgets, making demands for price stability even more stringent.
- Shifts in dining trends require suppliers to update menus while keeping costs reasonable.
From a customer’s point of view, they are also under pressure from their management and the end users of the meals. A poorly prepared meal doesn’t just impact health and morale—it directly affects productivity.
An HR representative from an industrial park shared: “We need a reliable catering provider who can maintain stable pricing while ensuring balanced nutrition. Changing suppliers frequently creates operational risks.”
This creates an urgent need for industrial caterers: beyond meal preparation, they must offer a comprehensive solution that helps customers control costs, streamline operations, and maintain long-term satisfaction.
2025: FINDING SOLUTIONS OR CLOSING DOORS?
Vietnam’s F&B sector is projected to grow by 9.6% in 2025, but not every business will be able to seize the opportunity.
Without the right solutions for customers, many catering companies will be forced out of the market.
At Hiepphatfood Catering, we recognize that to support our customers during this challenging period, we must:
✔ Optimize raw material sourcing, collaborating with reputable suppliers to secure the best prices.
✔ Tightly control costs, reducing waste and improving operational efficiency.
✔ Design flexible menus, balancing nutrition, customer preferences, and cost efficiency.
✔ Provide transparency, allowing customers to monitor and track meal quality.
✔ Work closely with customers to find cost-saving strategies without compromising quality.
A senior executive from a large factory commented: “We are willing to work with a catering partner who has a long-term strategy rather than one focused solely on pricing.”
This is the moment when industrial caterers need to look beyond pricing—it’s about creating sustainable value for customers.
THE FUTURE OF INDUSTRIAL CATERING: BEYOND JUST A GOOD MEAL
The success of an industrial catering provider is not only about the quality of the meals served but also about helping customers manage their budgets and operations effectively.
As the market demands more, the key question is no longer “who serves the best meal?” but “who can do it at the best value, sustainably?”
The industrial catering industry stands at a major crossroads. Those who fail to adapt will disappear, while those who innovate will thrive.
Hiepphatfood Catering understands that we are not just a meal provider; we are a strategic partner, helping customers optimize budgets, enhance service quality, and build long-term stability.
We are committed to:
✅ Delivering real value—not just meals, but a comprehensive solution.
✅ Transparency, professionalism, and true partnership with customers in every challenge.
✅ Sustainable development—for the long-term benefit of both parties.
Customers need a reliable partner—not just for 2025, but for the years to come.
Hiepphatfood Catering is ready to stand by your side!
