The research, commissioned by Swedish bakery Almondy, also found that 18-34-year-olds are the group most likely to avoid gluten and 77% of women want more gluten-free options on menus.

Andrew Ely, managing director at Almondy, said: “The demand for coeliac-friendly menu options is not just a trend, especially as a whopping 82% of people think gluten-free food is healthier. Our research highlights the gap between supply and demand so it’s essential that caterers get on board and realise the huge profit opportunity available to them - particularly as 74% of people would be influenced by a gluten intolerant friend on where to eat.”

The research looked at the demand for gluten-free options out-of-home and found that a quarter of respondents are gluten intolerant or avoid gluten for lifestyle reasons, a greater 48% have bought gluten-free products, increasing to 53% of women.

Kantar World Panel predicts the gluten-free market will be worth £519 million by 2016. Almondy has created an inforgraphic to accompany the research to highlight the positives of operators including gluten-free options on their menus.

Almondy are working with well-known confectionary brands, such as Cadbury, Daim and Toblerone, to provide food operators the option to include coeliac-friendly menu options. The brand has been baking for over 30 years, with a focus on specific dietary needs, and can be found in more than 45 countries.

The Almondy range is available in 3663, Brakes and all other good frozen food wholesalers.