The number of fast food establishments in the Netherlands has increased by 88% since 2007. The supply per capita is particularly high in coastal municipalities, on the Wadden Islands, and in other tourist locations. The figures show how strongly visitor flows help determine the local hospitality offering.
Almost a doubling in twenty years
The Netherlands had over 19.400 fast food establishments at the beginning of 2026. In 2007, there were approximately 10.300. Statistics Netherlands includes cafeterias, sandwich shops, food stalls, and ice cream parlors in this category, among others.
The number of fast food outlets grew by 88% during this period. The number of restaurants increased by 73%, from over 11.000 to nearly 19.200. Since 2020, there have been more fast food outlets than restaurants in the Netherlands. In total, the country has approximately 38.600 dining establishments.
Tourism ensures a high density of hospitality establishments.
On average, there are nearly 1,1 fast food outlets per thousand inhabitants. In municipalities with many tourists, that ratio is significantly higher. According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), the Wadden Islands, Zeeland coastal municipalities, Zandvoort, and Valkenburg aan de Geul are particular outliers.
Vlieland tops the list with 8,3 fast food outlets per thousand inhabitants. Schiermonnikoog has 4,1 and Terschelling 3,1. Sluis, Veere, Zandvoort, Texel, and Schouwen-Duiveland are also well above the national average.
In tourist municipalities, the ratio to the number of inhabitants reflects not only local demand. The hospitality offerings there are partly geared towards large numbers of day visitors and overnight guests, especially during weekends, holidays, and the summer season.
Large cities have the most cases in absolute numbers
In absolute numbers, the four major cities together account for nearly a fifth of all Dutch fast food establishments. Amsterdam has 1.605, followed by Rotterdam with 975, The Hague with 790, and Utrecht with 445.
For recreational areas and tourist destinations, the high density along the coast is particularly striking. Accessible hospitality forms an important part of the visitor offering there, but the high concentration also means more competition for staff, locations, and spending.
More information
Source and more information: Statistics Netherlands, Number of fast food outlets nearly doubled in 20 years.