Fast food firms such as KFC, Domino’s and Subway are “flooding” areas close to schools by opening almost 1,000 new outlets there in recent years, research reveals.
Subway have opened 420 new takeaways within 400 metres 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 that have a takeaway or sit-in cafe or restaurant run by one of the 10 biggest 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 over the last decade – a 38% increase.
Their growth has been so rapid that three out of four (76%) of all branches of Domino’s, the pizza firm, are now situated within 400 metres of a school, according to research by Dr Jody Hoenink, a Medicine Research Council-funded epidemiologist at Cambridge University.
Her findings prompted Wes Streeting, the health secretary, to accuse fast food firms of “cruelly targeting kids” and putting their profits before the interests of children’s health.
Childhood obesity campaigners claim such companies are trying to lure “a new generation of customers” by opening so close to schools and in nearby areas where pupils pass through on their way to lessons.
“Fast food giants are cruelly targeting kids by setting up near schools, prioritising their profits over our kids’ health. Obesity robs our kids of the best possible start in life and costs the NHS billions,” said Streeting. He pledged government action to tackle the explosion in openings near schools.
The proliferation of fast food outlets, chain cafes and coffee shops near schools has been so great that one in seven primaries or secondaries in Great Britain has at least one within 400 metres, up from one in 10. The number of schools with one close by has risen from 2,474 to 3,411 – up 38%.
Hoenink analysed official data, especially Ordnance Survey figures, to reach her findings, on behalf of Bite Back, the youth-led food campaign group linked to the chef Jamie Oliver’s organisation.
She examined the number and location of new openings since 2014 by the 10 biggest out of home sector food businesses 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 Big Food chains are flooding areas near schools across Great Britain at an alarming rate, surrounding children with unhealthy food options. This increase in outlets near school gates over the last decade is staggering”, said James Toop, Bite Back’s chief executive.
Those companies, most of whose sales come from food deemed unhealthy under government nutritional guidelines, are deliberately targeting 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? Regardless, young people’s routes to school and where they hang out should be safe spaces, free from the bombardment of junk food. This research proves that is not the case.”
Bite Back’s report, report based on Hoenink’s findings, also shows that:
• The number of outlets operated by the 10 chains within 400m of a school has soared from 5,202 in 2014 to 7,388 – up 42%.
• 58% of Subway premises are near a school, as are many branches of Greggs (56%) and KFC (50%).
• Five of the firms – Pret, Domino’s, KFC, Greggs and Starbucks – have at least half their total outlets near schools.
The number of outlets the 10 chains operate altogether, in all locations, has also risen by 42% in a decade, from 9,024 in 2014 to 14,333, Hoenink found,
Dr Kawther Hashem, a diet expert at Queen Mary University of London and the head of research for Action on Sugar, said the sharp increase in the number of openings near schools was “outrageous”. “The relentless expansion of fast food outlets and coffee shops near our schools signals a ticking health crisis,” she said.
“This rise, particularly sharp in economically disadvantaged areas, not only exacerbates existing health inequalities, but embeds unhealthy food into the daily lives of children who deserve better.”
Ministers are considering plans to revise planning guidance to make it easier for local councils to refuse chains selling high proportions of unhealthy food from opening near schools.
“By taking bold action to shield our kids from the harms of obesity, we’re protecting future generations from a lifetime of health problems,” Streeting added.
“That’s why we are exploring measures to restrict the presence of fast food shops near schools and have committed to stopping junk food ads aimed at kids, across both TV and online.”
Kate Nicholls, the chief executive of UKHospitality, said the report was flawed. “This report makes clear that businesses are not disproportionately targeting sites near schools, relative to overall growth.
“The narrow analysis it provides is only based on location and number of outlets. There is little recognition of the wider economic benefits hospitality offers communities and its role providing local jobs for local people.
“Hospitality offers everything from a healthy lunch to coffee on-the-go and always ensures there are a range of healthy options for customers to choose from.”
