GITNUXREPORT 2025

Customer Experience In The Food Industry Statistics

Enhancing customer experience boosts loyalty, revenue, and satisfaction in food industry.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

86% of consumers are willing to pay more for better customer experience in the food industry

Statistic 2

78% of restaurant customers say they would return more often if they had a better experience

Statistic 3

65% of diners say friendly service influences their choice of restaurant

Statistic 4

52% of customers say they would not return after a bad dining experience

Statistic 5

43% of diners say they are more likely to visit a restaurant that personalizes the experience

Statistic 6

88% of customers say they trust the recommendations of friends and family over advertisements

Statistic 7

74% of diners prefer restaurants that offer loyalty programs

Statistic 8

69% of consumers say the availability of allergy and dietary information impacts their choice of restaurant

Statistic 9

55% of restaurant customers say wait times negatively impact their experience more than food quality issues

Statistic 10

60% of diners say they are more likely to revisit a restaurant that responds to online reviews

Statistic 11

42% of restaurant executives believe that improving customer experience can lead to increased revenue

Statistic 12

65% of customers have abandoned a transaction due to poor customer service

Statistic 13

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

Statistic 14

57% of consumers say they are more loyal to brands that offer personalized experiences

Statistic 15

79% of customers say they would recommend a restaurant after a good experience

Statistic 16

72% of customers expect consistency in service and food quality across visits

Statistic 17

70% of consumers would switch to a competitor following a poor experience

Statistic 18

62% of consumers say that quick resolution of issues influences their overall satisfaction

Statistic 19

89% of customers say they will abandon a brand after a bad experience

Statistic 20

47% of foodservice businesses say that customer experience is their top strategic priority

Statistic 21

72% of customers are more likely to positively review a restaurant after a great experience

Statistic 22

80% of diners say that cleanliness significantly affects their satisfaction

Statistic 23

59% of diners prefer restaurants that offer sustainable or eco-friendly practices

Statistic 24

55% of consumers say they are more loyal to brands that communicate their environmental efforts

Statistic 25

48% of customers feel that personalized marketing enhances their overall experience

Statistic 26

69% of foodservice outlets that implemented digital solutions reported improved customer satisfaction

Statistic 27

70% of restaurants report increased sales after implementing customer loyalty programs

Statistic 28

50% of customers say that consistent staff friendliness increases their likelihood of returning

Statistic 29

63% of consumers are more likely to revisit a restaurant offering digital ordering and contactless payments

Statistic 30

77% of consumers are influenced by online reviews when choosing a food service provider

Statistic 31

81% of customers prefer to interact with restaurants via mobile apps for reservations and ordering

Statistic 32

80% of diners prefer ordering through digital menus over traditional menus

Statistic 33

63% of customers prefer contactless payment methods in food transactions

Statistic 34

74% of consumers say they are more likely to return if the restaurant has a strong online presence

Statistic 35

65% of customers want restaurants to provide contactless options for safety reasons

Statistic 36

84% of consumers say they are influenced by social media when choosing where to dine

Statistic 37

77% of diners consider online ordering and delivery as essential customer service features

Statistic 38

70% of consumers say their food quality expectations are higher now than five years ago

Statistic 39

82% of customers say their experience with a brand influences their opinion about the food quality

Statistic 40

54% of diners say ambiance and atmosphere influence their dining choice

Statistic 41

53% of consumers rank menu variety as a critical factor in their dining experience

Statistic 42

49% of consumers have purchased more from a restaurant because of friendly service

Statistic 43

58% of consumers say fast and friendly service is key to a positive experience

Statistic 44

66% of diners believe that staff attitude has a major impact on their overall satisfaction

Statistic 45

45% of consumers would be discouraged from dining if their experience involved long waits or slow service

Statistic 46

67% of restaurant operators focus on staff training to improve customer experience

Statistic 47

41% of restaurant managers believe that real-time feedback systems improve customer experience

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Key Highlights

86% of consumers are willing to pay more for better customer experience in the food industry
78% of restaurant customers say they would return more often if they had a better experience
65% of diners say friendly service influences their choice of restaurant
49% of consumers have purchased more from a restaurant because of friendly service
70% of consumers say their food quality expectations are higher now than five years ago
52% of customers say they would not return after a bad dining experience
43% of diners say they are more likely to visit a restaurant that personalizes the experience
58% of consumers say fast and friendly service is key to a positive experience
88% of customers say they trust the recommendations of friends and family over advertisements
63% of consumers are more likely to revisit a restaurant offering digital ordering and contactless payments
74% of diners prefer restaurants that offer loyalty programs
69% of consumers say the availability of allergy and dietary information impacts their choice of restaurant
82% of customers say their experience with a brand influences their opinion about the food quality

In today’s competitive food industry, delivering exceptional customer experiences isn’t just a bonus—it’s a game-changer, with 86% of consumers willing to pay more for better service and nearly half abandoning transactions after a poor encounter.

Customer Loyalty and Satisfaction

86% of consumers are willing to pay more for better customer experience in the food industry
78% of restaurant customers say they would return more often if they had a better experience
65% of diners say friendly service influences their choice of restaurant
52% of customers say they would not return after a bad dining experience
43% of diners say they are more likely to visit a restaurant that personalizes the experience
88% of customers say they trust the recommendations of friends and family over advertisements
74% of diners prefer restaurants that offer loyalty programs
69% of consumers say the availability of allergy and dietary information impacts their choice of restaurant
55% of restaurant customers say wait times negatively impact their experience more than food quality issues
60% of diners say they are more likely to revisit a restaurant that responds to online reviews
42% of restaurant executives believe that improving customer experience can lead to increased revenue
65% of customers have abandoned a transaction due to poor customer service
86% of consumers are willing to pay more for a better experience
57% of consumers say they are more loyal to brands that offer personalized experiences
79% of customers say they would recommend a restaurant after a good experience
72% of customers expect consistency in service and food quality across visits
70% of consumers would switch to a competitor following a poor experience
62% of consumers say that quick resolution of issues influences their overall satisfaction
89% of customers say they will abandon a brand after a bad experience
47% of foodservice businesses say that customer experience is their top strategic priority
72% of customers are more likely to positively review a restaurant after a great experience
80% of diners say that cleanliness significantly affects their satisfaction
59% of diners prefer restaurants that offer sustainable or eco-friendly practices
55% of consumers say they are more loyal to brands that communicate their environmental efforts
48% of customers feel that personalized marketing enhances their overall experience
69% of foodservice outlets that implemented digital solutions reported improved customer satisfaction
70% of restaurants report increased sales after implementing customer loyalty programs
50% of customers say that consistent staff friendliness increases their likelihood of returning

Customer Loyalty and Satisfaction Interpretation

In the fiercely competitive food industry, delivering personalized, friendly, and quick service isn't just good manners—it's the secret sauce for loyalty and revenue growth, as nearly nine out of ten customers reveal they'd fork out extra for a better experience, yet almost half will walk away after a poor one, proving that in this business, reputation is served fresh and consistency is the main course.

Digital Engagement and Ordering Preferences

63% of consumers are more likely to revisit a restaurant offering digital ordering and contactless payments
77% of consumers are influenced by online reviews when choosing a food service provider
81% of customers prefer to interact with restaurants via mobile apps for reservations and ordering
80% of diners prefer ordering through digital menus over traditional menus
63% of customers prefer contactless payment methods in food transactions
74% of consumers say they are more likely to return if the restaurant has a strong online presence
65% of customers want restaurants to provide contactless options for safety reasons
84% of consumers say they are influenced by social media when choosing where to dine
77% of diners consider online ordering and delivery as essential customer service features

Digital Engagement and Ordering Preferences Interpretation

In an era where digital diners define the table, restaurants ignoring online reviews, contactless options, and mobile integration risk not just digital disouts but becoming invisible on the consumer radar.

Food Quality, Menu, and Ambiance

70% of consumers say their food quality expectations are higher now than five years ago
82% of customers say their experience with a brand influences their opinion about the food quality
54% of diners say ambiance and atmosphere influence their dining choice
53% of consumers rank menu variety as a critical factor in their dining experience

Food Quality, Menu, and Ambiance Interpretation

With today’s diners raising the bar on expectations—favoring ambiance, variety, and brand experience—food providers must serve up not only quality but a memorable atmosphere or risk being relegated to the dish of the past.

Service Quality and Staff Behavior

49% of consumers have purchased more from a restaurant because of friendly service
58% of consumers say fast and friendly service is key to a positive experience
66% of diners believe that staff attitude has a major impact on their overall satisfaction
45% of consumers would be discouraged from dining if their experience involved long waits or slow service
67% of restaurant operators focus on staff training to improve customer experience
41% of restaurant managers believe that real-time feedback systems improve customer experience

Service Quality and Staff Behavior Interpretation

With over half of diners craving speedy, friendly service and two-thirds citing staff attitude as crucial to satisfaction, it's clear that in the restaurant industry, investing in staff training and real-time feedback isn't just good practice—it's the recipe for turning first-time visitors into loyal patrons.