Australia’s restaurant industry faces cost pressure on multiple fronts. Energy costs rose 22% in 2023, averaging $45,000 per venue, while food cost averaged 32.4% of revenue and labour costs reached 34.2% of total expenses. POS digital systems are used by 76% of restaurants, yet supply chain disruptions affect 61% of venues as closure risk tied to wage hikes is expected to hit 35% in 2024.
Key Takeaways
- Average table turnover time was 68 minutes in full-service restaurants in 2023
- Food cost percentage averaged 32.4% of revenue in Australian restaurants in 2023
- Labour costs represented 34.2% of total expenses in 2023
- 24% profit margin decline forecasted for 2024 due to cost pressures
- 35% of restaurants expected closure risk in 2024 from wage hikes
- Industry growth projected at 4.2% CAGR to $38.5 billion by 2028
- 72% of Australians dined out at least once a week in 2023
- Plant-based menu items increased by 45% in restaurants from 2022 to 2023
- Average spend per restaurant visit was $48.20 in 2023, up 6.1%
- In 2023, the Australian restaurant industry contributed $28.4 billion to the national GDP, representing 1.8% of total GDP
- The total revenue of Australian restaurants reached $32.1 billion in FY2023, up 7.5% from the previous year driven by post-COVID recovery
- Quick-service restaurants accounted for 42% of total industry revenue at $13.5 billion in 2023
- The industry employed 512,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2023, 4.1% of total employment
- Restaurants provided 280,000 direct jobs in 2023, with 55% part-time roles
- Average wage in Australian restaurants was $62,500 annually in 2023, up 5.8% YoY
In 2023, Australian restaurants faced rising costs and staffing shortages, yet digitisation and demand growth boosted revenues.
Related reading
01 · Category
Business Operations And Performance22 stats
01
Average table turnover time was 68 minutes in full-service restaurants in 2023
02
Food cost percentage averaged 32.4% of revenue in Australian restaurants in 2023
03
Labour costs represented 34.2% of total expenses in 2023
04
Profit margins for independent restaurants averaged 6.8% in 2023
05
76% of restaurants adopted POS digital systems by 2023
06
Waste reduction initiatives saved restaurants $450 million industry-wide in 2023
07
Average menu price increase was 8.7% in 2023 due to inflation
08
52% of restaurants offered gluten-free options on menus in 2023
09
Energy costs rose 22% for restaurants, averaging $45,000 per venue in 2023
10
Online reservation usage reached 45% of bookings in urban restaurants in 2023
11
Supply chain disruptions affected 61% of restaurants in 2023
12
Independent operators comprised 88% of 45,200 restaurants in 2023
13
Chains controlled 12% of venues but 35% of revenue in 2023
14
Average delivery fee $4.50per order in 2023
15
Kitchen efficiency improved 18% with new tech in 2023
16
Rent costs 9.2% of revenue average 2023
17
Insurance premiums up 16% for restaurants 2023
18
68% used inventory software in 2023
19
Customer satisfaction averaged 4.3/5 stars 2023
20
Peak trading hours 18:00-20:00, 42% of revenue 2023
21
Loyalty program retention boosted repeat visits 25% 2023
22
19% of restaurants renovated in 2023
Interpretation
Business Operations And Performance Interpretation
In Australia’s restaurant business operations in 2023, faster throughput and tighter cost control were evident as average table turnover hit 68 minutes while food costs averaged 32.4% of revenue and labour accounted for 34.2% of total expenses, supported by 76% of restaurants using POS systems.
02 · Category
Challenges And Future Projections17 stats
01
24% profit margin decline forecasted for 2024 due to cost pressures
02
35% of restaurants expected closure risk in 2024 from wage hikes
03
Industry growth projected at 4.2% CAGR to $38.5 billion by 2028
04
Labour shortages to persist, with 50,000 vacancies by 2025
05
Sustainability regulations to impact 70% of venues by 2026
06
AI automation adoption to reach 40% by 2027, reducing staff needs by 15%
07
Tourism recovery to boost revenue 12% to $35.9 billion by 2025
08
Energy transition costs estimated at $2.1 billion industry-wide by 2030
09
28% of operators plan menu price hikes of 10%+ in 2024
10
Digital marketing spend to double to $1.8 billion by 2026
11
Regional restaurants face 15% higher closure rates than urban by 2025
12
Post-2024 wage rise to add $1.5 billion to labour costs annually
13
Average cover charge revenue $2.1 million industry 2023
14
EV charging stations in 12% of restaurant carparks by 2025 proj
15
Vegan options to double to 25% of menus by 2027
16
Ghost kitchens to comprise 20% of outlets by 2026
17
Blockchain for supply chain in 15% by 2028
Interpretation
Challenges And Future Projections Interpretation
Australia’s restaurant sector is heading into 2024 to 2028 with mounting challenges, including a forecasted 24% profit margin decline and closure risk for 35% of venues from wage hikes, while labour shortages are set to leave 50,000 vacancies by 2025 and sustainability rules are expected to affect 70% of restaurants by 2026.
03 · Category
Dining Trends And Consumer Preferences24 stats
01
72% of Australians dined out at least once a week in 2023
02
Plant-based menu items increased by 45% in restaurants from 2022 to 2023
03
Average spend per restaurant visit was $48.20in 2023, up 6.1%
04
58% of diners preferred casual dining over fine dining in 2023
05
Online delivery orders grew to 1.2 billion annually in 2023, 28% of total sales
06
65% of millennials chose restaurants with sustainable practices in 2023
07
Breakfast and brunch visits rose 15% to 420 million occasions in 2023
08
Alcohol-free beverage orders surged 32% in restaurants in 2023
09
Regional diners increased spend by 11% YoY to $42 per visit in 2023
10
49% of consumers used loyalty apps for restaurant discounts in 2023
11
Asian fusion cuisine was the top trend, featured in 67% of new menus in 2023
12
Group dining occasions grew 22% post-COVID to 850 million in 2023
13
37% of diners prioritized outdoor seating availability in 2023
14
Vegetarian meal orders hit 18% of total in 2023, up from 12% in 2021
15
67% of restaurant managers had vocational qualifications in 2023
16
Low/no alcohol menu options in 55% of venues 2023
17
81% of Gen Z used social media for restaurant discovery 2023
18
Seafood consumption in restaurants up 7% to 250g per capita 2023
19
44% preferred local craft beers over imports in 2023
20
Family dining peaked mid-week, 52% of visits 2023
21
29% increase in health-focused menu requests 2023
22
Uber Eats market share 38% of deliveries 2023
23
DoorDash held 25% delivery market in 2023
24
Menulog 22% share of online orders 2023
Interpretation
Dining Trends And Consumer Preferences Interpretation
In Australia’s Dining Trends and Consumer Preferences, dining habits are shifting quickly as 72% of people eat out weekly and plant-based options rose 45% from 2022 to 2023, while 28% of sales now come from 1.2 billion annual online delivery orders.
More related reading
04 · Category
Economic Impact And Market Size20 stats
01
In 2023, the Australian restaurant industry contributed $28.4 billion to the national GDP, representing 1.8% of total GDP
02
The total revenue of Australian restaurants reached $32.1 billion in FY2023, up 7.5% from the previous year driven by post-COVID recovery
03
Quick-service restaurants accounted for 42% of total industry revenue at $13.5 billion in 2023
04
Full-service restaurants generated $10.2 billion in revenue in 2023, comprising 32% of the market
05
Cafes and coffee shops contributed $6.8 billion to industry revenue in 2023, a 9.2% YoY growth
06
The restaurant sector's market size grew to 45,200 establishments in 2023, up from 43,100 in 2022
07
Export-related restaurant services added $1.2 billion to the economy in 2023 via tourism dining
08
Average annual revenue per restaurant was $629,000in 2023 across Australia
09
NSW hosted 38% of national restaurant revenue at $10.9 billion in 2023
10
Victoria's restaurant industry revenue hit $8.7 billion in 2023, 27% of national total
11
Queensland restaurants generated $6.4 billion in 2023, boosted by tourism rebound
12
NSW restaurant revenue projected at $13.2 billion in 2024
13
Victoria's market to grow 5.8% to $9.2 billion in 2024
14
Queensland quick-service segment at $4.1 billion in 2023
15
SA restaurants added $2.3 billion to GDP in 2023
16
WA mining boom boosted restaurant spend by 14% in 2023
17
Tasmania's tourism dining revenue up 19% to $850 million in 2023
18
ACT cafes generated $420 million in 2023
19
NT remote restaurants revenue $210 million despite challenges in 2023
20
Industry profit before tax was $2.1 billion in 2023
Interpretation
Economic Impact And Market Size Interpretation
In 2023, Australia’s restaurant industry strengthened its economic footprint with $28.4 billion in GDP output and $32.1 billion in revenue, while market scale expanded to 45,200 establishments, reflecting post COVID recovery and faster growth in key segments.
05 · Category
Employment Statistics24 stats
01
The industry employed 512,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2023, 4.1% of total employment
02
Restaurants provided 280,000 direct jobs in 2023, with 55% part-time roles
03
Average wage in Australian restaurants was $62,500annually in 2023, up 5.8% YoY
04
62% of restaurant staff were under 35 years old in 2023
05
Female workers comprised 53% of the restaurant workforce in 2023
06
Chef positions grew by 12% to 45,000 in 2023
07
Casual employment in restaurants was 68% of total jobs in 2023
08
Staff turnover rate in restaurants averaged 28.5% in 2023, highest in quick-service at 35%
09
15,200 new hospitality jobs were created in restaurants in Q4 2023
10
International migrants filled 22% of restaurant vacancies in 2023
11
Training apprenticeships in restaurants numbered 18,500 in 2023, up 8%
12
Overtime hours in restaurants totaled 4.2 million annually in 2023
13
41% of restaurants reported staffing shortages in 2023 surveys
14
Sydney restaurants employed 92,000 workers in 2023, 33% of national total
15
Melbourne's restaurant workforce was 78,000 in 2023
16
Tax contributions from restaurants totaled $4.8 billion in FY2023
17
142,000 restaurant jobs in casual roles in NSW alone 2023
18
Brisbane employed 45,000 in restaurants 2023
19
Perth restaurant workforce grew 9% to 38,000 in 2023
20
Adelaide saw 22,000 hospitality jobs in restaurants 2023
21
Hobart restaurants employed 12,500 in 2023
22
Darwin's sector had 8,200 workers despite tourism dips 2023
23
Canberra cafes and restaurants total 15,000 jobs 2023
24
Youth unemployment in hospitality dropped to 11.2% in 2023
Interpretation
Employment Statistics Interpretation
In 2023, Australia’s restaurant industry provided 512,000 full-time equivalent jobs and 280,000 direct roles, with a workforce that was 55% part time and 62% under 35, showing a young and flexible employment base alongside wage growth to $62,500 annually.
report visual · Comparison
Key 2023 snapshots across Australia’s restaurant industry
Multiple indicators show where costs, technology adoption, and consumer demand are heading in 2023.
76% of restaurants adopted POS digital systems by 202376%
72% of Australians dined out at least once a week in 202372%
Food cost percentage averaged 32.4% of revenue in Australian restaurants in 202332.4%
Online delivery orders grew to 1.2 billion annually in 2023, 28% of total sales28%
Regional diners increased spend by 11% YoY to $42 per visit in 202311%
Profit margins for independent restaurants averaged 6.8% in 20236.8%
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Kevin O'Brien. (2026, February 13). Australia Restaurant Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australia-restaurant-industry-statistics
MLA
Kevin O'Brien. "Australia Restaurant Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/australia-restaurant-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Kevin O'Brien. 2026. "Australia Restaurant Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australia-restaurant-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
75 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level