GITNUXREPORT 2025

Customer Experience In The Culinary Industry Statistics

Superior customer experience boosts loyalty and revenue in the culinary industry.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

86% of consumers are willing to pay more for a better customer experience in restaurants

Statistic 2

73% of diners consider customer service as a key factor in their restaurant choice

Statistic 3

45% of customers say they will spend more money with a restaurant that offers excellent service

Statistic 4

63% of consumers say they are more likely to return to a restaurant with friendly staff

Statistic 5

42% of diners have stopped visiting a restaurant due to poor customer service

Statistic 6

80% of restaurant owners believe improving customer experience can significantly boost revenue

Statistic 7

75% of customers expect a consistent experience across all channels and locations

Statistic 8

54% of customers say that they've increased their spending at restaurants that personalize their experience

Statistic 9

67% of diners find wait times frustrating, and it impacts their overall experience

Statistic 10

90% of customers retain loyalty if they have a positive experience

Statistic 11

48% of consumers would switch to another restaurant if their ordering experience was complicated

Statistic 12

84% of diners say restaurant staff friendliness impacts their dining choice

Statistic 13

50% of customers say a friendly welcome influences their likelihood to return

Statistic 14

72% of customers want their food served quickly, with speed being a key component of experience

Statistic 15

65% of diners say that staff attitude influences their overall satisfaction

Statistic 16

77% of customers believe that online reservations improve their experience

Statistic 17

60% of restaurant customers prefer digital menus over traditional paper menus

Statistic 18

80% of diners say that personalized recommendations enhance their dining experience

Statistic 19

91% of restaurant guests say clean facilities are essential to their experience

Statistic 20

70% of restaurant reviews mention staff friendliness as a key factor

Statistic 21

85% of consumers are more likely to recommend a restaurant with excellent customer experience

Statistic 22

40% of diners look for restaurants with unique or memorable service experiences

Statistic 23

74% of restaurant owners plan to increase investment in customer experience technologies

Statistic 24

69% of diners want to customize their orders easily

Statistic 25

78% of customers value quick resolution of complaints

Statistic 26

44% of consumers say they appreciate when restaurants recognize returning guests

Statistic 27

58% of customers say that a good atmosphere enhances their experience

Statistic 28

79% of customers believe that consistent quality impacts their loyalty

Statistic 29

88% of restaurant employees feel that excellent customer service training improves guest satisfaction

Statistic 30

81% of restaurant managers say that online reviews directly influence their staff training priorities

Statistic 31

62% of restaurant customers look for allergy-friendly options before dining out

Statistic 32

80% of restaurant guests say they are more satisfied when staff proactively offer assistance

Statistic 33

47% of diners say their experience is enhanced by a well-designed and comfortable waiting area

Statistic 34

65% of customers appreciate timely follow-up after their visit, such as surveys or thank-you messages

Statistic 35

87% of diners say that a clean and well-maintained dining space affects their overall perception

Statistic 36

92% of restaurant staffs believe that personalized service improves customer retention

Statistic 37

76% of customers say that the availability of vegetarian and vegan options influences their choice

Statistic 38

55% of diners prefer restaurants with live music or entertainment

Statistic 39

88% of customers use online reviews as a primary decision-making factor

Statistic 40

54% of restaurant visitors say that clear communication during service enhances their experience

Statistic 41

72% of customers state that loyalty programs improve their overall experience

Statistic 42

68% of consumers are influenced by online reviews when choosing a restaurant

Statistic 43

55% of restaurant patrons prefer contactless options for ordering and payment

Statistic 44

63% of fast-food customers would use a mobile app if offered discounts

Statistic 45

52% of customers prefer restaurants that offer real-time updates on wait times

Statistic 46

65% of guests use social media to share their dining experience

Statistic 47

31% of restaurant diners use mobile ordering apps regularly

Statistic 48

66% of consumers expect nutrition information to be available digitally

Statistic 49

49% of consumers prefer restaurants that have a user-friendly digital reservation system

Statistic 50

59% of restaurant patrons prefer to order using their smartphones

Statistic 51

60% of diners want to receive personalized offers via email or app

Statistic 52

29% of diners prefer contactless payments for hygiene reasons

Statistic 53

57% of diners seek out restaurants with eco-friendly practices

Statistic 54

39% of customers are influenced by the restaurant’s social responsibility initiatives

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Key Highlights

  • 86% of consumers are willing to pay more for a better customer experience in restaurants
  • 73% of diners consider customer service as a key factor in their restaurant choice
  • 45% of customers say they will spend more money with a restaurant that offers excellent service
  • 63% of consumers say they are more likely to return to a restaurant with friendly staff
  • 42% of diners have stopped visiting a restaurant due to poor customer service
  • 80% of restaurant owners believe improving customer experience can significantly boost revenue
  • 75% of customers expect a consistent experience across all channels and locations
  • 68% of consumers are influenced by online reviews when choosing a restaurant
  • 54% of customers say that they've increased their spending at restaurants that personalize their experience
  • 67% of diners find wait times frustrating, and it impacts their overall experience
  • 90% of customers retain loyalty if they have a positive experience
  • 55% of restaurant patrons prefer contactless options for ordering and payment
  • 48% of consumers would switch to another restaurant if their ordering experience was complicated

In an industry where a better guest experience can mean the difference between a one-time visit and lifelong loyalty, an astounding 86% of consumers are willing to pay more for exceptional service, revealing that in the culinary world, customer experience isn’t just a bonus — it’s the core ingredient for success.

Customer Experience and Satisfaction

  • 86% of consumers are willing to pay more for a better customer experience in restaurants
  • 73% of diners consider customer service as a key factor in their restaurant choice
  • 45% of customers say they will spend more money with a restaurant that offers excellent service
  • 63% of consumers say they are more likely to return to a restaurant with friendly staff
  • 42% of diners have stopped visiting a restaurant due to poor customer service
  • 80% of restaurant owners believe improving customer experience can significantly boost revenue
  • 75% of customers expect a consistent experience across all channels and locations
  • 54% of customers say that they've increased their spending at restaurants that personalize their experience
  • 67% of diners find wait times frustrating, and it impacts their overall experience
  • 90% of customers retain loyalty if they have a positive experience
  • 48% of consumers would switch to another restaurant if their ordering experience was complicated
  • 84% of diners say restaurant staff friendliness impacts their dining choice
  • 50% of customers say a friendly welcome influences their likelihood to return
  • 72% of customers want their food served quickly, with speed being a key component of experience
  • 65% of diners say that staff attitude influences their overall satisfaction
  • 77% of customers believe that online reservations improve their experience
  • 60% of restaurant customers prefer digital menus over traditional paper menus
  • 80% of diners say that personalized recommendations enhance their dining experience
  • 91% of restaurant guests say clean facilities are essential to their experience
  • 70% of restaurant reviews mention staff friendliness as a key factor
  • 85% of consumers are more likely to recommend a restaurant with excellent customer experience
  • 40% of diners look for restaurants with unique or memorable service experiences
  • 74% of restaurant owners plan to increase investment in customer experience technologies
  • 69% of diners want to customize their orders easily
  • 78% of customers value quick resolution of complaints
  • 44% of consumers say they appreciate when restaurants recognize returning guests
  • 58% of customers say that a good atmosphere enhances their experience
  • 79% of customers believe that consistent quality impacts their loyalty
  • 88% of restaurant employees feel that excellent customer service training improves guest satisfaction
  • 81% of restaurant managers say that online reviews directly influence their staff training priorities
  • 62% of restaurant customers look for allergy-friendly options before dining out
  • 80% of restaurant guests say they are more satisfied when staff proactively offer assistance
  • 47% of diners say their experience is enhanced by a well-designed and comfortable waiting area
  • 65% of customers appreciate timely follow-up after their visit, such as surveys or thank-you messages
  • 87% of diners say that a clean and well-maintained dining space affects their overall perception
  • 92% of restaurant staffs believe that personalized service improves customer retention
  • 76% of customers say that the availability of vegetarian and vegan options influences their choice
  • 55% of diners prefer restaurants with live music or entertainment
  • 88% of customers use online reviews as a primary decision-making factor
  • 54% of restaurant visitors say that clear communication during service enhances their experience
  • 72% of customers state that loyalty programs improve their overall experience

Customer Experience and Satisfaction Interpretation

With most diners willing to spend more, return often, and recommend their favorite spots, the true recipe for restaurant success now blends flavorful dishes with a dash of exceptional customer experience—because in the culinary world, service isn't just the side dish but the main course for loyalty and profitability.

Digital Engagement and Technology

  • 68% of consumers are influenced by online reviews when choosing a restaurant
  • 55% of restaurant patrons prefer contactless options for ordering and payment
  • 63% of fast-food customers would use a mobile app if offered discounts
  • 52% of customers prefer restaurants that offer real-time updates on wait times
  • 65% of guests use social media to share their dining experience
  • 31% of restaurant diners use mobile ordering apps regularly
  • 66% of consumers expect nutrition information to be available digitally
  • 49% of consumers prefer restaurants that have a user-friendly digital reservation system
  • 59% of restaurant patrons prefer to order using their smartphones
  • 60% of diners want to receive personalized offers via email or app

Digital Engagement and Technology Interpretation

In an era where online reviews sway almost 70% of dining choices and over half seek contactless, personalized, and real-time experiences, the restaurant industry must blend digital innovation with authentic hospitality to satisfy the modern—a trend where savvy eateries serve convenience and connection on a silver platter.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

  • 29% of diners prefer contactless payments for hygiene reasons
  • 57% of diners seek out restaurants with eco-friendly practices
  • 39% of customers are influenced by the restaurant’s social responsibility initiatives

Environmental and Safety Considerations Interpretation

With over a quarter of diners favoring contactless payments for hygiene, more than half seeking eco-conscious practices, and nearly 40% influenced by social responsibility efforts, it's clear that the modern culinary landscape demands not just good food, but a commitment to health, sustainability, and ethics to truly satisfy today's conscious consumers.

Sources & References