Earlier this month, Vapiano introduced National Solo Dining Day on April 16th, providing solo diners with an enticing 40% discount for one day only. This initiative was prompted by insights from a recent survey commissioned by the restaurant, which revealed that 1 in 3 individuals dined alone at least once a month, reflecting a noticeable increase in solo diners frequenting their venues in recent times.
For some, solo dining something done out of necessity, but for a new generation of food lovers, solo dining has become a glorious form of self-care and recharging one’s state of mind. Free from having to compromise on sharing dishes, making small talk or trying to find a date in the diaries that suits all, diners can have the luxury of eating where they want and what they want.
In light of the surge, UK Italian restaurant group Vapiano, officially launched the first-ever National Solo Dining Day on April 16th. To celebrate the rise of solo diners, Vapiano embraced guests up and down the country annually, with a generous 40% off meals for all single diners, for one day.
Vikki O’Neill, Global Marketing Director at Vapiano comments:
“We began realising a rise in venues as early as 2019, in one particular lunch shift we noticed around 43% of covers to be solo diners! Lockdown hit a few months later and it was forgotten about, but recently we’ve seen a real increase again. I said to the team this is a cultural shift and we’ve got to do something with this, let’s own this and encourage it. Why wouldn’t you take the business of one person over none? Our attitude is it’s never ‘just’ a table for one but ‘a table for one’.”
Vikki continues:
“We are thrilled to be shining a light on the increase in solo diners and giving something back with our promotion. Our mantra at Vapiano has always been focused on being a destination restaurant that welcomes anyone and everyone through our doors. For Vapiano, personalisation has been key since day one – and today that’s more relevant than ever.”
Vapiano’s survey indicating that 1 in 3 people were dining alone at least once a month also identified the top four reasons – 47% were ‘enjoying their own company’, 32% suggested it ‘boosted mental health’ (32%), 23% were ‘saving money’, and 18% were ‘avoiding having to share food’.
Priding themselves on the culture of the restaurant, their laid-back friendly ambience and being the home of handmade pasta, Vapiano has been a much-loved go-to for UK diners since 2008. Known for offering hyper-customisable menus, Vapiano prides itself on its handmade fresh pasta and pizza that are cooked fresh to order using quality ingredients made on-site on a daily basis.
You can browse through Vapiano’s menus, including their new Spring specials, and find your local restaurant right here.
