Italian street food sector growth

The street food sector in Italy has experienced substantial growth over the last decade, transitioning from a niche urban market into a stable part of the national economy. National data indicates that the number of street food businesses increased by 88.7%, rising from 2,271 to 4,286 units. This expansion has reached beyond major cities into small towns and coastal areas, with the number of municipalities hosting at least one registered business growing by 57%.

In the Romagna region, specifically within the Forlì-Cesena and Rimini areas, growth has outpaced the national average. In these territories, active enterprises increased by 90.6% compared to 2016. Within the province of Rimini, the number of businesses grew by 94.4%, reaching 35 active enterprises.

The sector is characterized by a shift toward experiential tourism and a demand for flexible, informal dining. Most businesses in the Romagna region are individual enterprises, though there is notable diversity in ownership, with 26.2% being female-led and 8.2% being foreign-owned.