Meal deal facts for kids
In the United Kingdom, a meal deal is a special offer where you get three items together for one price. It usually includes a main item (like a sandwich), a drink, and a snack (often crisps). Many people in Britain enjoy meal deals, especially for lunch. More than one-third of Britons buy a meal deal at least once a week!
You can find meal deals in many places. Supermarkets, small shops, cafés, and bakeries all sell them. Supermarkets usually have the biggest choice. For example, Sainsbury's offers over 500 different products in their meal deal range. Tesco even has more than 10 million possible combinations you could create! Most meal deals in supermarkets are served cold. However, some cafés, like Costa, offer hot meal deal options. For snacks, you might find things like sausage rolls, pork pies, or fresh fruit.
Contents
What's in a Meal Deal?
A typical meal deal includes three parts:
- A Main: This is the biggest part of your meal. It could be a sandwich, a wrap, or even a pasta salad. Some places also offer sushi as a main. There are usually many different fillings or toppings to choose from.
- A Drink: You can pick from a variety of drinks. This might include water, juice, or a soft drink.
- A Snack: This is a smaller item to go with your main and drink. Popular snacks are crisps, but you can also find fruit, yogurt, or small pastries like a sausage roll.
How Much Do Meal Deals Cost?
The price of a meal deal can change depending on where you buy it. Most meal deals cost between £3 and £5. In 2022, the average price for a meal deal was about £4.12. This was a little more than the average price of £3.91 in 2020.
One great thing about meal deals is that they save you money. If you bought the three items separately, it would often cost much more. Sometimes, buying a meal deal can save you over 50% compared to buying each item on its own!
The History of Meal Deals
The idea of the meal deal was started by the pharmacy chain Boots. They were the first to offer this convenient way to buy lunch. Over time, other shops and supermarkets saw how popular meal deals were and started offering their own versions.
Why Are Meal Deals Popular?
Meal deals are a big part of British culture. People love them for a few main reasons:
- Convenience: They are quick and easy to grab when you are busy. You can pick up your whole lunch in one go.
- Value for Money: As mentioned, meal deals are usually cheaper than buying each item separately. This makes them a good choice if you want to save money.
- Choice: With so many different mains, drinks, and snacks available, you can almost always find something you like.
The popularity of meal deals has even helped some businesses grow. For example, during a time when many things became more expensive in the UK, bakery chain Greggs saw their sales increase by almost 15% in October 2022. This shows how much people rely on and enjoy meal deals.
