The UK supermarket chain will introduce digital ordering points, iced coffee and an expanded food menu across its 180 Asda Cafés
UK supermarket giant Asda will invest £10m ($13.5m) to update and refresh 180 Asda Cafés with digital ordering screens, iced coffee and a new food menu.
The Leeds-based group, which operates more than 1,100 supermarkets and smaller-footprint convenience stores across the UK, is seeking to complete the refurbishment programme by November 2025. The project is being led by contract catering and foodservice partner Compass Group, which supplies and manages the cafés.
In a press release, Asda said its cafés will serve a range of flavoured iced coffees for the first time alongside espresso-based beverages. Its value-focused food menu has also been broadened to include katsu chicken curry, pizza and nacho sharing platters.
“Cafés are an important part of the shopping experience for many of our customers, and this significant investment alongside allows us to bring a new look and feel, as well making improvements to the service and a refresh of the menu,” said Ian McEvans, Vice President of Commercial Food, Asda.
Asda’s investment in its café network comes as other major UK supermarkets scale back in-store hospitality offers. In January 2025, Sainsbury’s announced plans to cut 3,000 jobs and close its remaining 61 in-store cafés as part of a restructuring plan to save £1bn ($1.3bn) over the next few years. Two months later, competitor Morrisons announced plans to close 52 of its 400 in-store cafés as part of a major cost-saving drive.
Nevertheless, in-store cafés can be effective drivers of footfall, dwell time and brand loyalty.
The UK’s largest supermarket chain, Tesco, operates over 300 cafés across its 2,900-store estate, while premium-focused Waitrose has invested heavily in its hospitality offering, leveraging the Caffè Nero brand for its free in-store coffee offer and launching an in-store café concession in partnership with Gail’s in June 2024.
