Netherlands fast‑food outlets nearly double to 19,000 by 2026

CBS data show that the Netherlands had just over 19,000 fast‑food establishments at the start of 2026, up from 10,300 in 2007 – a near‑doubling in twenty years. Fast‑food venues now account for more than half of all eating places in the country, while the total number of food‑service sites remains around 39,000.

The growth outpaced that of traditional restaurants, which rose from 11,100 to 19,200 in the same period. The highest concentration of fast‑food sites is on the Wadden Islands, with Vlieland reaching 8.3 outlets per 1,000 residents. The four largest Dutch cities together host almost 20 % of all fast‑food locations. Economists at CBS attribute the shift to higher disposable incomes, leading Dutch consumers to eat out more frequently.

The figures reflect a broader change in eating habits rather than a decline in restaurants, as the overall number of food‑service establishments continues to increase.