Brits At The Buffet

New research reveals hilarious quirks of breakfast buffet behaviour and highlights the nation’s love of the humble hashbrown

  • Eight in 10 Brits say they get seated at a table only to stand straight back up again
  • Half admit to going back for a sneaky second portion, while 27% go back for thirds
  • Hashbrowns unveiled as the hero of the breakfast buffet, followed by pancakes and fruit salad
  • Travelodge Bar Cafés offer an unlimited breakfast from £9.99 for adults

A new study into the unique peculiarities of British hotel breakfast behaviour has uncovered a widespread culture of politeness, hesitation and self-consciousness at breakfast buffets across the nation.  

The poll of 2,000 Brits* found that eight in 10 admit to sitting down when being shown to their table, only to stand straight back up again, while 37% of those dining as a couple say one person remains to ‘man’ the table while the other goes to the buffet. 

The average Brit says ‘sorry’ at least twice when at the buffet, either when they pass someone or to reach past them, while an extra apologetic 13% say it five times or more over the course of their breakfast.  

Commissioned by Travelodge, home of the ‘Unlimited Breakfast’, the survey found that 35% are conscious of being judged over their portion sizes by strangers when walking back from the buffet.

Yet despite fear of judgement, Brits enjoy two portions on average at a buffet breakfast, with 27% even going up for thirds.  

More than two in five (41%) ranked hash browns as their favourite breakfast buffet treat.  However, the research showed that breakfast preferences are shifting, with many people now favouring a more balanced mix of options over classic hot items. 

Pancakes (39%) now rank as the second most favourite breakfast buffet treat, followed closely by fruit salad (37%), outranking bacon (29%) and scrambled eggs (29%) by some margin. When it comes to the juice counter, Brits are juicing more than ever, typically consuming two glasses of juice on average, while a third (33%) drink three glasses or more at breakfast.

Brits’ top 10 breakfast buffet treats: 

  1. Hashbrowns (41%)
  2. Pancakes (39%)
  3. Fruit salad (37%)
  4. Croissants (36%)
  5. Bacon (29%) 
  6. Scrambled eggs (29%)
  7. Baked beans (25%)
  8. Bagels (21%)
  9. Toast and preserves (21%) 
  10. White bread (17%)

A Travelodge spokesperson said: “Our research reveals that the British breakfast buffet is a unique social minefield, where traditional politeness often battles with the temptation of a second helping. Whether it’s the ‘buffet apology’ or the strategy of ‘manning the table,’ we all have our own morning rituals. 

‘Buffet breakfasts are no longer all about the traditional English.  We see many guests swapping the classic fry-up for fruit or toasted bagels with peanut butter and banana and choosing barista-style coffee and dairy alternatives over a standard brew. Whether you’re fuelling up on the nation’s favourite hashbrowns or opting for a lighter start with fresh fruit and yoghurt, we offer total choice with zero judgment.” 

Travelodge offers an Unlimited Breakfast at over 220 hotels with a Bar Café, with prices from £9.99. With every full-paying adult, children under 15 years old get breakfast for £1 each. Guests can choose from cooked breakfast items from the grill, fresh fruit, Yeo Valley organic yoghurts, bagels and butter croissants, Lavazza Coffee and pastries and more. The Bar Café is also open to walk-in customers.

To find your nearest Bar Café breakfast buffet, visit Travelodge.co.uk

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact:

The Travelodge Press Office

T: 01844 358 703

E: pressoffice@travelodge.co.uk 

Notes to Editors

*The online survey of 2,000 respondents was completed between 17th and 19th December 2025 by 3Gem Research and Insights and their in-house panel of “double opt in” respondents and was compliant with the Market Research Societies code of conduct. 

About Travelodge  

Founded in 1985, Travelodge is Britain’s very first budget hotel chain and today is one of the largest budget hotel chains in the UK, with a portfolio of over 630 hotels and over 47,000 bedrooms across the UK, Ireland and Spain.  

In Spain, Travelodge has an established profitable presence and has ambitious growth plans within this market and has identified the top key locations where it would like to open additional hotels in Spain. 

Welcoming over 22 million guests annually across the UK, Ireland and Spain, the majority of Travelodge hotels are located in major cities, towns and holiday hotspots as well as by airports and key business hubs. With over 96% of its hotels rated 4 dots or above on TripAdvisor, Travelodge is proud to offer guests across its diverse customer base a good value experience – whether they are travelling for business or leisure. 

Whether out celebrating a birthday, going to a concert or sporting event, visiting friends and family, taking a business trip, working away from home, or taking a short break, we help people to go and do their thing by Being the Brilliant Base.

Travelodge continues to invest in its ongoing hotel refit programme and has already upgraded approximately 65% of the Travelodge room estate to its new design. The brand is also continually evolving its quality offering to deliver a better experience for its diverse mix of business and leisure guests such as its new look Bar Cafe design, 85 Bar Café, which has been rolled out to selected UK hotels as part of the refit programme.  

Travelodge is focusing on its environmental and social impact, with sustainability integral to its business strategy. Its Better Future sustainability plan aims to build a more sustainable future for its customers, colleagues and the planet, underpinned by three core pillars: Inclusive – ensuring we are accessible, inclusive and well-priced to our customers and colleagues; Caring – creating a caring and healthy environment for our colleagues and customers and ensuring their wellbeing; and  Conscious – Travelodge is conscious of its impact on the planet, taking into account the waste it produces, the energy and other resources it consumes and the carbon emissions it generates.  

For further information visit Travelodge Online or Travelodge Hotels Limited LinkedIn.