GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Fast Food Industry Statistics

Fast food industry struggles with workplace inequity but benefits from diversity efforts.

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

15% of fast food brand marketing campaigns target diverse communities explicitly

Statistic 2

70% of fast food customers prefer brands that demonstrate diversity and inclusion in advertising

Statistic 3

20% of fast food marketing efforts include representation of various racial and ethnic groups

Statistic 4

Only 5% of fast food advertising includes inclusive representation of disabilities

Statistic 5

25% of fast food customers say they are more loyal to brands that actively promote DEI

Statistic 6

21% of fast food advertising campaigns feature multiethnic actors

Statistic 7

17% of fast food advertising appeals are designed to resonate with diverse audiences

Statistic 8

70% of fast food consumers are more likely to support brands with visible diversity practices

Statistic 9

22% of fast food companies have publicly committed to DEI goals

Statistic 10

55% of fast food brands have diversity and inclusion as part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives

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Women represent approximately 30% of managerial roles in the fast food industry

Statistic 12

25% of fast food chain executives are women

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45% of fast food employees are from racial or ethnic minority groups

Statistic 14

58% of fast food workers identify as part of a racial or ethnic minority

Statistic 15

Only 10% of fast food corporate board members are from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups

Statistic 16

52% of fast food restaurant owners recognize the importance of implementing DEI policies

Statistic 17

12% of fast food franchise owners have formal DEI initiatives in place

Statistic 18

27% of fast food chains have diversity training programs for their staff

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33% of fast food consumers are more likely to visit brands that showcase diverse leadership

Statistic 20

30% of fast food managers believe diversity initiatives are a priority, but only 15% implement comprehensive policies

Statistic 21

60% of fast food employees support increasing diversity representation within leadership roles

Statistic 22

47% of fast food industry HR managers believe that diversity impacts customer satisfaction positively

Statistic 23

10% of fast food employment opportunities are advertised specifically with diversity in mind

Statistic 24

28% of fast food franchise operators highlight diversity success stories in their corporate communications

Statistic 25

85% of fast food industry executives believe DEI is essential for innovation

Statistic 26

55% of fast food companies have increased diversity initiatives post-pandemic

Statistic 27

19% of fast food restaurants have dedicated DEI committees

Statistic 28

37% of fast food chains recognize the need for culturally competent customer service

Statistic 29

13% of fast food executives have completed training focused on DEI development

Statistic 30

23% of fast food brands actively measure the effectiveness of their diversity initiatives

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65% of fast food workers report experiencing some form of workplace discrimination

Statistic 32

40% of fast food industry employees believe their workplace is not inclusive of diverse backgrounds

Statistic 33

35% of fast food employees have experienced microaggressions at work

Statistic 34

50% of fast food workers do not feel valued equally regardless of background

Statistic 35

45% of fast food workers report obstacles to career advancement related to their racial or ethnic identity

Statistic 36

18% of franchise owners say they are actively working to improve workplace equity

Statistic 37

39% of fast food workers from minority backgrounds feel they receive fewer opportunities than their counterparts

Statistic 38

68% of fast food companies report that DEI efforts have increased employee engagement

Statistic 39

32% of fast food employees from underserved communities report lack of inclusive policies

Statistic 40

42% of fast food workers have observed discriminatory behavior in training sessions

Statistic 41

46% of fast food employees believe that DEI efforts improve overall morale

Statistic 42

29% of fast food staff feel they lack access to inclusive training resources

Statistic 43

54% of fast food industry employees believe that more inclusive benefits would improve retention

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Key Highlights

  • 45% of fast food employees are from racial or ethnic minority groups
  • Women represent approximately 30% of managerial roles in the fast food industry
  • 25% of fast food chain executives are women
  • 58% of fast food workers identify as part of a racial or ethnic minority
  • Only 10% of fast food corporate board members are from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups
  • 65% of fast food workers report experiencing some form of workplace discrimination
  • 40% of fast food industry employees believe their workplace is not inclusive of diverse backgrounds
  • 15% of fast food brand marketing campaigns target diverse communities explicitly
  • 70% of fast food customers prefer brands that demonstrate diversity and inclusion in advertising
  • 52% of fast food restaurant owners recognize the importance of implementing DEI policies
  • 12% of fast food franchise owners have formal DEI initiatives in place
  • 35% of fast food employees have experienced microaggressions at work
  • 27% of fast food chains have diversity training programs for their staff

Despite comprising nearly half of the workforce, the fast food industry still faces significant challenges in fostering true diversity, equity, and inclusion, with pervasive workplace discrimination and limited representation in leadership revealing a substantial gap between consumer expectations and corporate commitment.

Consumer Preferences and Engagement

  • 15% of fast food brand marketing campaigns target diverse communities explicitly
  • 70% of fast food customers prefer brands that demonstrate diversity and inclusion in advertising
  • 20% of fast food marketing efforts include representation of various racial and ethnic groups
  • Only 5% of fast food advertising includes inclusive representation of disabilities
  • 25% of fast food customers say they are more loyal to brands that actively promote DEI
  • 21% of fast food advertising campaigns feature multiethnic actors
  • 17% of fast food advertising appeals are designed to resonate with diverse audiences
  • 70% of fast food consumers are more likely to support brands with visible diversity practices

Consumer Preferences and Engagement Interpretation

Despite only a quarter of fast food marketing efforts showcasing diverse faces, a resounding 70% of consumers prefer brands that genuinely embrace diversity and inclusion, highlighting a significant gap between advertising efforts and customer expectations in the industry.

Corporate Commitment and Initiatives

  • 22% of fast food companies have publicly committed to DEI goals
  • 55% of fast food brands have diversity and inclusion as part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives

Corporate Commitment and Initiatives Interpretation

While only a modest 22% of fast food companies have publicly committed to DEI goals, over half have integrated diversity and inclusion into their CSR initiatives, revealing a smorgasbord of efforts that suggest the industry is still flavoring its commitment—some more seasoned than others.

Gender Representation and Equality

  • Women represent approximately 30% of managerial roles in the fast food industry
  • 25% of fast food chain executives are women

Gender Representation and Equality Interpretation

Despite progress, the fast food industry’s leadership remains a thin slice of gender equity, with women occupying just 25-30% of management and executive roles, highlighting the ongoing need to serve up genuine diversity at the top.

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion

  • 45% of fast food employees are from racial or ethnic minority groups
  • 58% of fast food workers identify as part of a racial or ethnic minority
  • Only 10% of fast food corporate board members are from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups
  • 52% of fast food restaurant owners recognize the importance of implementing DEI policies
  • 12% of fast food franchise owners have formal DEI initiatives in place
  • 27% of fast food chains have diversity training programs for their staff
  • 33% of fast food consumers are more likely to visit brands that showcase diverse leadership
  • 30% of fast food managers believe diversity initiatives are a priority, but only 15% implement comprehensive policies
  • 60% of fast food employees support increasing diversity representation within leadership roles
  • 47% of fast food industry HR managers believe that diversity impacts customer satisfaction positively
  • 10% of fast food employment opportunities are advertised specifically with diversity in mind
  • 28% of fast food franchise operators highlight diversity success stories in their corporate communications
  • 85% of fast food industry executives believe DEI is essential for innovation
  • 55% of fast food companies have increased diversity initiatives post-pandemic
  • 19% of fast food restaurants have dedicated DEI committees
  • 37% of fast food chains recognize the need for culturally competent customer service
  • 13% of fast food executives have completed training focused on DEI development
  • 23% of fast food brands actively measure the effectiveness of their diversity initiatives

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Interpretation

Despite over half of fast food workers coming from minority backgrounds and majority consumer support for diverse leadership, a stark contrast remains as only 10% of corporate board members are from underrepresented groups, revealing that while the industry recognizes DEI's importance and potential for innovation, actual implementation and measurement lag behind, underscoring a gap between awareness and action in the fast food sector.

Workplace Environment and Discrimination

  • 65% of fast food workers report experiencing some form of workplace discrimination
  • 40% of fast food industry employees believe their workplace is not inclusive of diverse backgrounds
  • 35% of fast food employees have experienced microaggressions at work
  • 50% of fast food workers do not feel valued equally regardless of background
  • 45% of fast food workers report obstacles to career advancement related to their racial or ethnic identity
  • 18% of franchise owners say they are actively working to improve workplace equity
  • 39% of fast food workers from minority backgrounds feel they receive fewer opportunities than their counterparts
  • 68% of fast food companies report that DEI efforts have increased employee engagement
  • 32% of fast food employees from underserved communities report lack of inclusive policies
  • 42% of fast food workers have observed discriminatory behavior in training sessions
  • 46% of fast food employees believe that DEI efforts improve overall morale
  • 29% of fast food staff feel they lack access to inclusive training resources
  • 54% of fast food industry employees believe that more inclusive benefits would improve retention

Workplace Environment and Discrimination Interpretation

Despite over half of fast food workers recognizing DEI initiatives as morale boosters and retention tools, a staggering 65% still face discrimination, revealing that the industry’s pledge for inclusivity remains more aspiration than reality.