Trends in the catering industry development in the Republic of Mordovia over the period of 2008-2013

The paper presents the comparative analysis of the catering industry development in the Republic of Mordovia, the regions of the Volga Federal District and some European countries. It was found that the Russian catering market is characterized by a small number of fast food outlets per population, a relatively small number of dinners-out, and underdeveloped regional catering markets. Despite the increased interest of foreign networks in the catering market of the Volga Federal District regions and entry of major foreign brands in the said market, some negative trends in the development of this industry in a number of regions are being observed. For example, the catering industry of the Republic of Mordovia does not use franchising; network forms of catering industry organization for the population with average incomes are being poorly implemented in practice. In addition, the article describes other disparities, their causes and possible ways of the long-term catering market development.