Poles’ Dining Out Power Grows Amid Economic Challenges
Despite inflation and rising energy costs, Polish consumers are increasingly able to afford dining out, with the Pyszne.pl Economic Index revealing a steady improvement in purchasing power since the beginning of 2024. The situation in Poland’s restaurant industry is stabilizing, but experts caution that factors such as climate change could bring future volatility.
Pyszne.pl, one of the leading food delivery platforms in Poland with nearly 16,000 restaurant partners, offers valuable insights into shifting consumer purchasing trends. The platform processes millions of orders every day and has become a key indicator for understanding the Polish food service market. The latest Pyszne.pl Economic Index shows that last year, the return of VAT taxes and high inflation were the main challenges facing the sector, leading to a sharp rise in restaurant prices. Some dishes even became more expensive than similar offerings in countries like Italy.
What Does the Pyszne.pl Economic Index Measure?
The Pyszne.pl Economic Index analyzes the prices of 30 popular dishes ordered on the platform, including classic Polish meals like cucumber soup and pierogi, as well as common sides like fries and rice. The average price of a basket of these dishes is compared to the same period from the previous year, with positive values indicating that prices have increased. This is then cross-referenced with inflation, food prices, and average wages to give a clear picture of Poland’s food service sector and how much the average consumer can afford.
Steady Growth in Purchasing Power
In 2024, the Pyszne.pl index relative to average wages in the corporate sector showed a positive trend, indicating a steady increase in the purchasing power of Polish consumers. Between 1.5% and 2% growth was recorded by September 2024. While the growth rate isn’t dramatic, it signals continuous improvement in consumers’ ability to afford ready-to-eat meals. Economists, however, warn that the trend could reverse due to factors like climate change, which might lead to volatility in food prices in 2025.
The Kebab Index: A Snapshot of Purchasing Power
The Pyszne.pl Economic Index has been compared to the Big Mac Index, providing a way to measure how many popular dishes
a consumer can afford with the minimum wage. In January 2025, for example, the minimum wage allowed a person to buy 156 kebabs—more than in January 2023 (132 kebabs), but the same as in January 2021. A similar pattern is seen with pizza, where the number of pizzas affordable on the minimum wage has risen from 92 in 2019 to 119 in 2025.
The increase in the affordability of ready-to-eat meals is especially noticeable when looking at minimum wage statistics. Thanks to the dynamic rise in the minimum wage over the past few years, ready-to-eat meals have become more accessible to lower-income households, broadening the consumer base.
Challenges for Higher-Income Earners
However, those with higher incomes haven’t yet regained the purchasing power they had in 2019. The increase in prices has outpaced the rise in average wages. For example, in January 2019, the average wage could buy 307 kebabs, compared to 284 kebabs today. While the situation has improved slightly since the beginning of 2024, higher-income earners still face challenges.
Slower Price Growth
Marek Zuber, economist and financial market analyst, notes that Poland’s food service market has shown resilience and adaptability to changing economic conditions. After a period of sharp price increases, the Pyszne.pl index growth has slowed, indicating that while prices for ready meals are still rising, the pace of growth has slowed compared to previous years.
Market Stabilization and Increased Competition
The beginning of 2025 saw a significant rise in electricity prices and an increase in the minimum wage. Despite these factors, the Pyszne.pl index has not reflected a dramatic rise in prices. Zuber explains that the full impact of these price increases is spread over time due to contracts with energy suppliers and employees. Additionally, the growing number of restaurants has limited the ability to pass these costs onto consumers.
Data from Poland’s Central Statistical Office (GUS) confirms this trend. In 2021, there were 74,000 registered restaurants in Poland; today, that number has grown to approximately 99,000, representing a 35% increase. This growing concentration of restaurants in Poland’s food service sector forces restaurateurs to approach price changes cautiously.
Optimism for the Future
Despite rising labor and food costs, restaurateurs remain optimistic about the future. Akshay Pasrija, owner of the Curry Masala restaurant, notes that the market is relatively stable, with challenges being predictable. He also highlights the importance of collaborating with platforms like Pyszne.pl, as they offer restaurants an efficient way to reach a broader customer base.
More Restaurants and Online Orders
Pyszne.pl’s growth mirrors the overall industry trends. From 9,000 restaurant partners in 2021, the platform has expanded to nearly 17,000 by its 15th anniversary in 2025. The number of online orders has also increased, making digital platforms an essential part of restaurant turnover and providing stability in the food service industry.
Polish Cuisine on the Rise
Despite the strong competition, certain dishes have seen significant price increases, particularly in Polish cuisine. Dishes like cucumber soup, pierogi, and rosół (chicken soup) have risen in price by 11.9%, 10%, and 9.8%, respectively, compared to January 2024. This rise in prices aligns with the growing popularity of Polish cuisine, with over half of Poles now preferring local dishes, and 70% opting for simple meals made from a few quality ingredients. This shift toward traditional Polish meals may explain the significant price hikes in these dishes.
As the food service industry in Poland stabilizes, the growing demand for local cuisine and the increased competition between restaurants signal a promising outlook for the future.
