GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Qsr Industry Statistics

Diversity boosts QSR profits, loyalty, innovation, and customer satisfaction significantly.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

45% of minority consumers are more likely to frequent a QSR that actively promotes diversity in its marketing campaigns

Statistic 2

60% of QSR consumers support hiring more diverse staff if it leads to improved customer service

Statistic 3

55% of younger consumers (18-34) see diversity as a critical factor in choosing a restaurant brand

Statistic 4

72% of minority consumers consider companies’ diversity efforts when choosing a QSR

Statistic 5

67% of consumers state that diversity and inclusion impact their loyalty to a QSR brand

Statistic 6

53% of consumers globally believe that social responsibility, including DEI efforts, influences their purchasing decisions in the QSR sector

Statistic 7

Companies with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors financially

Statistic 8

Companies with higher diversity scores in their workforce see a 20% increase in innovation

Statistic 9

Only 22% of leadership roles in the QSR industry are held by women

Statistic 10

25% of QSR marketing campaigns now feature diverse representation, up from 10% five years ago

Statistic 11

29% of QSR marketing campaigns feature multicultural themes, demonstrating a rise in inclusive advertising

Statistic 12

65% of QSR consumers prefer brands that demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion

Statistic 13

70% of franchise owners in the QSR industry say they see benefits from implementing diversity training programs

Statistic 14

30% of QSR franchise restaurants have partnered with minority-owned suppliers

Statistic 15

85% of consumers agree that companies should be transparent about their diversity and inclusion efforts

Statistic 16

64% of industry leaders agree that DEI initiatives improve customer loyalty

Statistic 17

47% of QSR consumers are more likely to recommend a brand that prioritizes DEI

Statistic 18

80% of QSR employees believe diversity and inclusion initiatives improve workplace morale

Statistic 19

Hispanic and Black employees in the QSR industry report higher job satisfaction when their workplaces prioritize inclusion

Statistic 20

48% of QSRs have implemented policies to improve accessibility for disabled employees and customers

Statistic 21

40% of QSRs have diversity and inclusion metrics integrated into their corporate performance dashboards

Statistic 22

78% of QSR employees believe that diversity initiatives positively impact team dynamics

Statistic 23

52% of QSR executives believe that diversity initiatives can help attract top talent

Statistic 24

43% of QSR employees from minority backgrounds report experiencing workplace bias

Statistic 25

68% of franchise brands are now actively recruiting diverse candidates, up from 36% in 2018

Statistic 26

39% of QSR brands offer cultural competency training, aimed at improving staff interactions with diverse customers

Statistic 27

53% of QSR employees believe that diversity training should be mandatory

Statistic 28

58% of QSR employees support flexible scheduling as part of diversity and inclusion efforts

Statistic 29

70% of QSR companies report increased employee retention after implementing DEI programs

Statistic 30

33% of franchise owners report that diversity tends to be an underrated aspect of business growth strategies

Statistic 31

62% of QSRs have expanded their recruitment efforts to include underrepresented communities

Statistic 32

49% of employees report that diversity improves their sense of belonging at work

Statistic 33

41% of QSR brands have initiated mentorship programs aimed at minority employees

Statistic 34

Asian-American employees in the QSR sector are 15% more likely to be promoted when diversity-friendly policies are in place

Statistic 35

36% of marketing teams in the QSR industry now include DEI specialists, reflecting a growing focus on inclusive marketing

Statistic 36

44% of restaurant managers believe diversity training reduces workplace conflicts

Statistic 37

76% of minority employees feel more valued in workplaces with active DEI initiatives

Statistic 38

24% of QSR brands are actively tracking diversity metrics in their annual reports

Statistic 39

59% of franchisees report that diverse team members help improve customer relationships

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Key Highlights

65% of QSR consumers prefer brands that demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion
45% of minority consumers are more likely to frequent a QSR that actively promotes diversity in its marketing campaigns
Companies with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors financially
80% of QSR employees believe diversity and inclusion initiatives improve workplace morale
70% of franchise owners in the QSR industry say they see benefits from implementing diversity training programs
25% of QSR marketing campaigns now feature diverse representation, up from 10% five years ago
60% of QSR consumers support hiring more diverse staff if it leads to improved customer service
55% of younger consumers (18-34) see diversity as a critical factor in choosing a restaurant brand
Only 22% of leadership roles in the QSR industry are held by women
Hispanic and Black employees in the QSR industry report higher job satisfaction when their workplaces prioritize inclusion
48% of QSRs have implemented policies to improve accessibility for disabled employees and customers
40% of QSRs have diversity and inclusion metrics integrated into their corporate performance dashboards
78% of QSR employees believe that diversity initiatives positively impact team dynamics

In an industry where flavor and speed are king, rising consumer expectations for diversity, equity, and inclusion are transforming the QSR landscape—driving higher employee morale, boosting innovation, and ultimately shaping customer loyalty in profound ways.

Consumer Preferences and Support for Diversity Initiatives

45% of minority consumers are more likely to frequent a QSR that actively promotes diversity in its marketing campaigns
60% of QSR consumers support hiring more diverse staff if it leads to improved customer service
55% of younger consumers (18-34) see diversity as a critical factor in choosing a restaurant brand
72% of minority consumers consider companies’ diversity efforts when choosing a QSR
67% of consumers state that diversity and inclusion impact their loyalty to a QSR brand
53% of consumers globally believe that social responsibility, including DEI efforts, influences their purchasing decisions in the QSR sector

Consumer Preferences and Support for Diversity Initiatives Interpretation

In an industry where a quarter-pound burger can be a serious ‘diversity’ meal, QSR brands that embrace inclusivity not only serve up better customer experiences but also savor the loyalty and purchasing power of a more diverse—and increasingly discerning—consumer base.

Impact of Diversity on Business Performance

Companies with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors financially
Companies with higher diversity scores in their workforce see a 20% increase in innovation

Impact of Diversity on Business Performance Interpretation

Diverse leadership and inclusive workforces aren't just moral imperatives—they're strategic advantages, boosting profitability by 35% and sparking 20% more innovation in the QSR industry.

Leadership Diversity and Representation

Only 22% of leadership roles in the QSR industry are held by women

Leadership Diversity and Representation Interpretation

With women occupying just 22% of leadership roles in the QSR industry, it's clear that diversity and inclusion still have a long menu to be served before equal representation becomes a standard order.

Marketing Strategies and Cultural Competency

25% of QSR marketing campaigns now feature diverse representation, up from 10% five years ago
29% of QSR marketing campaigns feature multicultural themes, demonstrating a rise in inclusive advertising

Marketing Strategies and Cultural Competency Interpretation

The QSR industry's shift from 10% to 25% in diverse representation and the rise to 29% in multicultural themes signal that inclusivity in fast food marketing is not just a trend but a flavorful step toward more authentic and relatable advertising—proof that diversity is now on the menu.

Support for Diversity Initiatives

65% of QSR consumers prefer brands that demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion
70% of franchise owners in the QSR industry say they see benefits from implementing diversity training programs
30% of QSR franchise restaurants have partnered with minority-owned suppliers
85% of consumers agree that companies should be transparent about their diversity and inclusion efforts
64% of industry leaders agree that DEI initiatives improve customer loyalty
47% of QSR consumers are more likely to recommend a brand that prioritizes DEI

Support for Diversity Initiatives Interpretation

In the fast-paced world of QSRs, embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion isn't just good ethics—it's fast food for building customer loyalty, franchise success, and competitive advantage.

Workplace Diversity and Inclusion in QSR Industry

80% of QSR employees believe diversity and inclusion initiatives improve workplace morale
Hispanic and Black employees in the QSR industry report higher job satisfaction when their workplaces prioritize inclusion
48% of QSRs have implemented policies to improve accessibility for disabled employees and customers
40% of QSRs have diversity and inclusion metrics integrated into their corporate performance dashboards
78% of QSR employees believe that diversity initiatives positively impact team dynamics
52% of QSR executives believe that diversity initiatives can help attract top talent
43% of QSR employees from minority backgrounds report experiencing workplace bias
68% of franchise brands are now actively recruiting diverse candidates, up from 36% in 2018
39% of QSR brands offer cultural competency training, aimed at improving staff interactions with diverse customers
53% of QSR employees believe that diversity training should be mandatory
58% of QSR employees support flexible scheduling as part of diversity and inclusion efforts
70% of QSR companies report increased employee retention after implementing DEI programs
33% of franchise owners report that diversity tends to be an underrated aspect of business growth strategies
62% of QSRs have expanded their recruitment efforts to include underrepresented communities
49% of employees report that diversity improves their sense of belonging at work
41% of QSR brands have initiated mentorship programs aimed at minority employees
Asian-American employees in the QSR sector are 15% more likely to be promoted when diversity-friendly policies are in place
36% of marketing teams in the QSR industry now include DEI specialists, reflecting a growing focus on inclusive marketing
44% of restaurant managers believe diversity training reduces workplace conflicts
76% of minority employees feel more valued in workplaces with active DEI initiatives
24% of QSR brands are actively tracking diversity metrics in their annual reports
59% of franchisees report that diverse team members help improve customer relationships

Workplace Diversity and Inclusion in QSR Industry Interpretation

As the QSR industry embraces diversity and inclusion, a compelling 80% of employees agree these initiatives boost morale—proof that in fast food, cultural flavor isn’t just on the menu, but also the secret ingredient for workplace harmony and growth.