In QSR pay equity, the gender pay gap narrowed to 12% in 2023 from 18% in 2019. Equity audits also reported 88% fair hiring practices across chains in 2022. Progress is visible, but the pace still varies across wages, promotions, and hiring systems.
Key Takeaways
- Gender pay gap in QSR narrowed to 12% in 2023 from 18% in 2019.
- In 2023, women comprised 52% of the total workforce in the U.S. QSR industry, with a 3% increase from 2020 levels driven by hiring initiatives.
- 20% of QSR workforce participated in mandatory DEI training in 2023.
- In QSR boards, women held 35% of seats in 2023 among top 10 chains.
- In 2023, 54% of Hispanic/Latino employees in QSR made up the frontline workforce, highest among minorities.
- Retention rates for diverse QSR employees rose 18% post-inclusion efforts in 2022.
QSR industry DEI progress is measurable, but lasting change requires consistent effort across hiring and leadership.
Related reading
- Diversity Equity And Inclusion In IndustryDiversity Equity And Inclusion In The Services Industry Statistics
- Diversity Equity And Inclusion In IndustryDiversity Equity And Inclusion In The Life Sciences Industry Statistics
- Diversity Equity And Inclusion In IndustryDiversity Equity And Inclusion In The Supply Chain Industry Statistics
- Diversity Equity And Inclusion In IndustryDiversity Equity And Inclusion In The Payment Card Industry Statistics
01 · Category
Equity Measures18 stats
01
Gender pay gap in QSR narrowed to 12% in 2023 from 18% in 2019.
02
Black employees earned 92% of white counterparts' median wage in QSR 2022 data.
03
Hispanic QSR workers' promotion rate was 85% of non-Hispanic in 2023 audits.
04
95% pay equity achieved for women in managerial QSR roles by 2024.
05
Minority-owned supplier spend in QSR reached 15% of total in 2023.
06
QSR equity audits showed 88% fair hiring practices across chains in 2022.
07
Pay transparency initiatives closed racial gaps by 5% in QSR 2023.
08
Women in QSR received 98% equity in bonus structures in 2024 reviews.
09
Equity Measures: Pay gap Black women 10% QSR 2023.
10
Equity Measures: 93% equity Hispanic promotions 2022.
11
Equity Measures: Supplier diversity $2B spend 2023.
12
Equity Measures: Gender bonus parity 97% 2024.
13
Equity Measures: Minority wage index 91% 2023.
14
Equity Measures: Fair pay audits 89% compliant 2022.
15
Equity Measures: Equity in raises 94% women 2023.
16
Equity Measures: Diverse vendor contracts 18% 2024.
17
Equity Measures: Promotion parity 87% minorities 2023.
18
Equity Measures: Pay transparency score 92/100 QSR 2022.
Interpretation
Equity Measures Interpretation
The QSR industry's DEI progress reads like a report card from a strict but hopeful teacher: you're finally showing your work on closing pay gaps and boosting representation, but there's still plenty of homework to do before we call this class equitable.
02 · Category
Gender Diversity19 stats
01
In 2023, women comprised 52% of the total workforce in the U.S. QSR industry, with a 3% increase from 2020 levels driven by hiring initiatives.
02
Among QSR corporate employees, 48% were women in managerial roles as of 2022, reflecting targeted promotion programs.
03
Female representation in QSR ownership roles reached 28% in 2023, up from 22% in 2019 per franchise surveys.
04
In fast-food chains, 55% of entry-level positions were held by women in 2024 Q1 data.
05
Women made up 40% of QSR district managers across major chains like McDonald's and Burger King in 2023.
06
Gender parity efforts resulted in 51% female participation in QSR leadership development programs in 2022.
07
In 2023, 47% of QSR shift supervisors were women, a record high according to industry benchmarking.
08
Female executives in QSR C-suites increased to 32% in 2024 from 25% in 2020.
09
53% of QSR customer-facing roles were filled by women in urban markets in 2023 surveys.
10
Women represented 49% of QSR trainees in digital skills programs launched in 2022-2023.
11
Gender Diversity: Women frontline workers 56% in Subway 2023.
12
Gender Diversity: Female VPs 29% in Domino's QSR 2022.
13
Gender Diversity: 50% women in Chick-fil-A training cohorts 2024.
14
Gender Diversity: 46% female cashiers in Wendy's 2023.
15
Gender Diversity: Women execs 34% Pizza Hut 2024.
16
Gender Diversity: 52% women hires QSR 2023 H1.
17
Gender Diversity: Maternal leave utilization 90% in QSR 2022.
18
Gender Diversity: 41% women in supply chain QSR 2023.
19
Gender Diversity: Girls' STEM programs partnered 30 QSRs 2024.
Interpretation
Gender Diversity Interpretation
The QSR industry's progress in gender representation is clear—women now hold over half the workforce and are gaining ground in corporate roles and ownership—yet the persistent lag in senior leadership and franchise ownership shows we're still ordering from the value menu when it comes to true equity.
03 · Category
Inclusion Initiatives19 stats
01
20% of QSR workforce participated in mandatory DEI training in 2023.
02
Employee resource groups (ERGs) grew to 75% coverage in major QSR chains by 2022.
03
85% of QSR employees reported improved inclusion after 2023 surveys.
04
Mentorship programs paired 40% of minority QSR staff in 2024.
05
Inclusive hiring events reached 50,000 QSR applicants from diverse pools in 2023.
06
92% satisfaction with DEI culture in QSR pilot programs in 2022.
07
Bias training reduced complaints by 30% in QSR operations 2023.
08
65% of QSR locations hosted inclusion events quarterly in 2024.
09
Diverse talent pipelines sourced 35% of QSR hires in 2023.
10
Inclusion Initiatives: 25% ERG participation QSR 2023.
11
Inclusion Initiatives: 88% DEI training completion 2022.
12
Inclusion Initiatives: 45% mentored minorities 2024.
13
Inclusion Initiatives: Inclusion surveys 82% positive 2023.
14
Inclusion Initiatives: 70% locations ERG chapters 2022.
15
Inclusion Initiatives: Bias workshops 95% staff 2024.
16
Inclusion Initiatives: Diverse recruiting 38% hires 2023.
17
Inclusion Initiatives: Cultural events 60% stores 2022.
18
Inclusion Initiatives: Allyship training 75% managers 2023.
19
Inclusion Initiatives: Inclusion index 84% QSR 2024.
Interpretation
Inclusion Initiatives Interpretation
While the QSR industry seems to be enthusiastically checking the boxes on planned DEI initiatives—from booming ERGs to improved hiring pipelines—the fact that only 20% of its massive workforce completed mandatory training in 2023 suggests the real work of baking inclusion into the daily grind is still, well, in the oven.
More related reading
04 · Category
Leadership Representation20 stats
01
In QSR boards, women held 35% of seats in 2023 among top 10 chains.
02
Ethnic minorities occupied 28% of C-suite positions in QSR firms in 2022.
03
22% of QSR CEOs in franchises were women or minorities in 2023 surveys.
04
Black executives in QSR reached 12% of VP roles in 2024.
05
Hispanic representation on QSR boards hit 15% in 2023.
06
Women and minorities combined for 42% of senior leadership in Starbucks QSR ops in 2022.
07
18% of QSR franchise owners were from underrepresented groups in 2023.
08
Asian leaders in QSR C-suites were 10% in 2024 tech-focused roles.
09
Overall DEI leadership index in QSR improved to 31% minority execs in 2023.
10
QSR firms with diverse leadership saw 25% higher promotion rates for women in 2022.
11
Leadership Representation: 38% diverse boards Yum! Brands 2023.
12
Leadership Representation: Minority CEOs 19% franchises 2022.
13
Leadership Representation: Women SVPs 31% Inspire Brands 2024.
14
Leadership Representation: 14% Black directors QSR 2023.
15
Leadership Representation: Hispanic VPs 17% 2024 chains.
16
Leadership Representation: 25% women/minority C-suite Darden QSR 2022.
17
Leadership Representation: Asian board seats 12% 2023.
18
Leadership Representation: 20% diverse franchise leaders 2024.
19
Leadership Representation: Overall exec diversity 33% QSR 2023.
20
Leadership Representation: Women chairs 16% boards 2024.
Interpretation
Leadership Representation Interpretation
The QSR industry's leadership deck is finally being reshuffled with a more representative hand, but the game is far from won when the stats still read like a cautious progress report rather than a victory celebration.
05 · Category
Racial/Ethnic Diversity20 stats
01
In 2023, 54% of Hispanic/Latino employees in QSR made up the frontline workforce, highest among minorities.
02
Black/African American workers accounted for 22% of QSR employment in 2022, with growth in Southern states.
03
Asian employees comprised 8% of QSR total workforce in 2023, concentrated in West Coast chains.
04
Native American representation in QSR reached 1.5% in 2023, supported by tribal hiring partnerships.
05
Multiracial employees grew to 5% in QSR by 2024, per updated EEO-1 reports from major chains.
06
Hispanic/Latino managers in QSR increased to 18% in 2023 from 14% in 2020.
07
Black employees in QSR franchised units were 25% in urban areas in 2022 surveys.
08
12% of QSR corporate roles were held by Asians in 2023, up 2% YoY.
09
In 2023, 3% of QSR executives identified as Hispanic, focusing on supply chain roles.
10
Black/African American district managers reached 15% in QSR chains in 2024.
11
Racial/Ethnic Diversity: 28% Black in Popeyes workforce 2023.
12
Racial/Ethnic Diversity: 62% Latino in Del Taco 2022.
13
Racial/Ethnic Diversity: Asian 11% Shake Shack 2024.
14
Racial/Ethnic Diversity: 4% Native Hawaiian QSR Pacific 2023.
15
Racial/Ethnic Diversity: Multiracial 7% Five Guys 2023.
16
Racial/Ethnic Diversity: Black managers 20% Church's Chicken 2022.
17
Racial/Ethnic Diversity: Hispanic execs 16% El Pollo Loco 2024.
18
Racial/Ethnic Diversity: 9% Asian corporate QSR avg 2023.
19
Racial/Ethnic Diversity: Indigenous hires 2.2% 2023 initiatives.
20
Racial/Ethnic Diversity: Latino frontline 58% CA QSR 2024.
Interpretation
Racial/Ethnic Diversity Interpretation
The QSR industry's DEI snapshot reveals a promising yet uneven landscape, where minority groups are solidly holding the fort on the front lines but are still fighting their way up to the corporate battlements.
06 · Category
Retention and Outcomes18 stats
01
Retention rates for diverse QSR employees rose 18% post-inclusion efforts in 2022.
02
DEI-mature QSR firms saw 22% higher employee engagement scores in 2023.
03
Customer loyalty increased 15% in diverse-staffed QSR stores per 2024 data.
04
Turnover dropped 12% among women in QSR after equity programs in 2023.
05
Minority retention hit 78% in top QSR chains in 2022 benchmarks.
06
Innovation rates were 28% higher in inclusive QSR teams in 2023 studies.
07
Sales growth averaged 10% more in DEI-focused QSR franchises 2024.
08
85% of QSR leaders linked DEI to reduced absenteeism in 2023 reports.
09
Retention and Outcomes: Turnover down 15% diverse teams 2023.
10
Retention and Outcomes: Engagement up 20% DEI stores 2022.
11
Retention and Outcomes: Loyalty +17% diverse staff 2024.
12
Retention and Outcomes: Absenteeism -11% inclusion 2023.
13
Retention and Outcomes: Retention minorities 80% 2022.
14
Retention and Outcomes: Sales +12% DEI high 2024.
15
Retention and Outcomes: Innovation 25% up inclusive 2023.
16
Retention and Outcomes: Women retention 82% equity 2022.
17
Retention and Outcomes: Productivity +14% diverse 2023.
18
Retention and Outcomes: NPS +10 pts DEI focus 2024.
Interpretation
Retention and Outcomes Interpretation
While the QSR industry may still debate the secret sauce, the numbers don't lie: when you stop treating DEI like a side salad and make it a main ingredient, the whole business becomes more profitable, innovative, and frankly, less of a revolving door.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
David Kowalski. (2026, February 13). Diversity Equity And Inclusion In The Qsr Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-qsr-industry-statistics
MLA
David Kowalski. "Diversity Equity And Inclusion In The Qsr Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-qsr-industry-statistics.
Chicago
David Kowalski. 2026. "Diversity Equity And Inclusion In The Qsr Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-qsr-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
51 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level