Fast food chains accused of ‘flooding’ areas near British schools with unhealthy options

Fast food companies such as KFC, Domino’s and Subway are ‘flooding’ areas close to schools by opening almost 1,000 new branches there in recent years, research shows.

Subway has opened 420 new takeaway outlets within 400 meters of a school in England, Scotland and Wales since 2014, while Domino’s and Greggs have opened 354 and 329 outlets respectively.

The number of schools with a takeaway or sit-down café or restaurant run by one of the ten largest fast food chains and coffee shops most popular with young people, such as KFC and Costa Coffee, has risen from 2,474 to 3,411 in recent years. decade – an increase of 38%.

Their growth has been so rapid that three in four (76%) of all branches of Domino’s, the pizza company, are now within 400 meters of a school, according to research by Dr Jody Hoenink, a Medicine Research Council-funded epidemiologist. at the University of Cambridge.

Her findings prompted Wes Streeting, the health secretary, to accuse fast food companies of “cruelly targeting children” and putting their profits ahead of the interests of children’s health.

Child obesity advocates claim such businesses are trying to lure “a new generation of customers” by opening their doors so close to schools and in nearby areas where students pass on their way to classes.

“Fast food giants are cruelly targeting children by locating near schools and prioritizing their profits over the health of our children. Obesity robs our children of the best possible start in life and costs the NHS billions,” Streeting said. He promised government action to tackle the explosion in openings near schools.

The proliferation of fast food restaurants, cafe chains and coffee shops near schools has been such that one in seven primary or secondary schools in Britain now has at least one within 400 metres, up from one in ten. The number of schools with one in the area has increased from 2,474 to 3,411 – an increase of 38%.

Hoenink analyzed official data, particularly figures from the Ordnance Survey, to arrive at her findings, on behalf of Bite Back, the youth-led food campaign group linked to chef Jamie Oliver’s organisation.

She examined the number and location of new openings since 2014 by the ten largest out-of-home food companies popular with under-18s. They are: Burger King, Starbucks, Domino’s, KFC, McDonald’s, Pret a Manger, Subway, Greggs, Nando’s and Costa Coffee.

“Our research shows that major food chains are flooding areas near schools in Britain at an alarming rate, surrounding children with unhealthy food options. This increase in the number of outlets near school gates over the past decade is staggering,” said James Toop, Managing Director of Bite Back.

These companies, most of whose sales come from food deemed unhealthy under government dietary guidelines, deliberately target young people for commercial gain, he added.

“Is it a coincidence that these Big Food chains are expanding near schools where they have access to a new generation of customers? In any case, young people’s routes to school and where they hang out should be safe places, free from the bombardment of junk food. This research proves that this is not the case.”

The new Bite Back report, based on Hoenink’s findings, also shows that:

The number of points of sale of the ten chains within a radius of 400 meters from a school has increased from 5,202 in 2014 to 7,388 now – an increase of 42%.

58% of Subway properties are located near a school, as are many Greggs (56%) and KFC (50%) branches.

Five of the companies – Pret, Domino’s, KFC, Greggs and Starbucks – have at least half of their total outlets near schools.

The number of points of sale that the ten chains operate in total, at all locations, has also increased by 42% in ten years, from 9,024 in 2014 to 14,333 now, Hoenink notes.

Dr. Kawther Hashem, a nutritionist at Queen Mary University of London and head of research for Action on Sugar, said the increase in vacancies near schools was “scandalous”. “The relentless expansion of fast food restaurants and coffee shops near our schools signals a ticking health crisis,” she said.

“This increase, especially sharp in economically disadvantaged areas, not only exacerbates existing health inequities but also entrenches unhealthy foods in the daily lives of children who deserve better.”

Ministers are considering plans to revise planning guidelines to make it easier for local councils to refuse chains selling large quantities of unhealthy food from opening near schools.

“By taking bold action to protect our children from the harms of obesity, we protect future generations from a lifetime of health problems,” Streeting added.

“That is why we are exploring measures to limit the presence of fast food stores near schools and have committed to ending junk food advertisements aimed at children, both on TV and online.”

Kate Nicholls, the chief executive of UKHospitality, said the report was flawed. “This report makes clear that companies are not disproportionately targeting locations near schools, relative to overall growth.

“The limited analysis it provides is based only on location and number of outlets. There is little recognition of the wider economic benefits that hospitality brings to communities and the role it plays in creating local jobs for local people.

“Hospitality offers everything from a healthy lunch to coffee on the go and always ensures there is a range of healthy options for customers to choose from.”