GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Restaurant Industry Statistics

Most restaurants see diversity boosts profits but lack comprehensive DEI strategies.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

53% of restaurant owners agree that diversity improves customer satisfaction

Statistic 2

55% of consumers prefer to dine at restaurants with diverse staff

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58% of diners support restaurants that promote inclusive environments

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47% of restaurant patrons prefer to dine at establishments that visibly support diversity and inclusion

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35% of restaurant employees report experiencing microaggressions related to their race or ethnicity

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28% of restaurant employees have experienced discrimination or bias based on their ethnicity or background

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48% of restaurant workers report feeling pressure to hide their identity or background at work

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9% of restaurant employees have experienced microaggressions related to gender or identity

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LGBTQ+ individuals represent approximately 4.1% of the restaurant workforce

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Only 20% of executive chef positions in restaurants are held by women

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The median pay gap between male and female restaurant managers is approximately 10%

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Only 10% of restaurant executive roles are held by people of color

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42% of restaurant startups are led by women or minorities

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The percentage of LGBTQ+ owned restaurants has increased by 12% over the past five years

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50% of restaurant chains are actively working to increase diversity among their leadership team

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22% of restaurant start-ups are founded by minority entrepreneurs

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41% of restaurant industry employees identify as people of color

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30% of restaurant workers are women

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45% of restaurant owners recognize the importance of DEI but only 15% have strategic plans in place

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Restaurants with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their less-diverse counterparts financially

Statistic 21

60% of restaurant employees believe that inclusivity enhances workplace morale

Statistic 22

22% of restaurant businesses have implemented formal DEI policies

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12% of restaurant workers are immigrants, highlighting diversity in backgrounds

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18% of restaurant businesses actively participate in DEI training programs

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40% of restaurant employees feel that their workplace could do more to support diversity

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27% of restaurant industry HR professionals cite lack of diversity as a recruitment challenge

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33% of restaurant managers believe cultural competency is lacking in their teams

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25% of restaurant employees are unaware of existing diversity initiatives

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70% of restaurant businesses see diversity as a competitive advantage

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15% of restaurant franchises have implemented inclusive hiring practices

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63% of restaurant employees believe that diversity training improves team cohesion

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29% of restaurant industry workers have voiced concerns about racial bias

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34% of restaurant companies offer employee resource groups (ERGs) focused on diversity and inclusion

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68% of restaurant employees believe that DEI efforts should be a top priority for management

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37% of restaurant managers have received training on unconscious bias

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14% of restaurant employees have left a position due to discrimination or lack of inclusivity

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41% of restaurant workers report that their company's DEI initiatives positively impact their job satisfaction

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32% of restaurant companies have set measurable goals for DEI outcomes

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54% of restaurant managers believe that improving diversity reduces employee conflicts

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29% of restaurant employees report feeling excluded due to cultural differences

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Key Highlights

41% of restaurant industry employees identify as people of color
30% of restaurant workers are women
LGBTQ+ individuals represent approximately 4.1% of the restaurant workforce
Only 20% of executive chef positions in restaurants are held by women
35% of restaurant employees report experiencing microaggressions related to their race or ethnicity
45% of restaurant owners recognize the importance of DEI but only 15% have strategic plans in place
The median pay gap between male and female restaurant managers is approximately 10%
28% of restaurant employees have experienced discrimination or bias based on their ethnicity or background
Restaurants with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their less-diverse counterparts financially
53% of restaurant owners agree that diversity improves customer satisfaction
Only 10% of restaurant executive roles are held by people of color
60% of restaurant employees believe that inclusivity enhances workplace morale
22% of restaurant businesses have implemented formal DEI policies

Despite rising awareness and recognition of diversity’s benefits, the restaurant industry still faces significant gaps in representation, inclusion, and equity, with only 15% of restaurant franchises implementing formal DEI policies and a mere 10% of executive chef roles held by women, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges in building truly inclusive culinary workplaces.

Customer Preferences and Patron Demographics

53% of restaurant owners agree that diversity improves customer satisfaction
55% of consumers prefer to dine at restaurants with diverse staff
58% of diners support restaurants that promote inclusive environments
47% of restaurant patrons prefer to dine at establishments that visibly support diversity and inclusion

Customer Preferences and Patron Demographics Interpretation

These striking statistics reveal that in the restaurant industry, embracing diversity isn’t just morally right—it’s a flavorsome recipe for boosting customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Employee Experiences and Well-being

35% of restaurant employees report experiencing microaggressions related to their race or ethnicity
28% of restaurant employees have experienced discrimination or bias based on their ethnicity or background
48% of restaurant workers report feeling pressure to hide their identity or background at work
9% of restaurant employees have experienced microaggressions related to gender or identity

Employee Experiences and Well-being Interpretation

These sobering figures reveal that, despite the industry's culinary creativity, its workforce still faces a harsh recipe of racial, ethnic, and identity-based microaggressions, reminding us that inclusion is the true secret ingredient to sustainable success.

Representation and Leadership in the Restaurant Industry

LGBTQ+ individuals represent approximately 4.1% of the restaurant workforce
Only 20% of executive chef positions in restaurants are held by women
The median pay gap between male and female restaurant managers is approximately 10%
Only 10% of restaurant executive roles are held by people of color
42% of restaurant startups are led by women or minorities
The percentage of LGBTQ+ owned restaurants has increased by 12% over the past five years
50% of restaurant chains are actively working to increase diversity among their leadership team
22% of restaurant start-ups are founded by minority entrepreneurs

Representation and Leadership in the Restaurant Industry Interpretation

Despite modest progress—like the 12% rise in LGBTQ+ owned restaurants and half of chains working to diversify leadership—statistics reveal persistent gaps, such as only 20% of executive chefs being women and underrepresentation of people of color in top roles, reminding us that the restaurant industry still has a long menu of equity and inclusion to serve.

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion

41% of restaurant industry employees identify as people of color
30% of restaurant workers are women
45% of restaurant owners recognize the importance of DEI but only 15% have strategic plans in place
Restaurants with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their less-diverse counterparts financially
60% of restaurant employees believe that inclusivity enhances workplace morale
22% of restaurant businesses have implemented formal DEI policies
12% of restaurant workers are immigrants, highlighting diversity in backgrounds
18% of restaurant businesses actively participate in DEI training programs
40% of restaurant employees feel that their workplace could do more to support diversity
27% of restaurant industry HR professionals cite lack of diversity as a recruitment challenge
33% of restaurant managers believe cultural competency is lacking in their teams
25% of restaurant employees are unaware of existing diversity initiatives
70% of restaurant businesses see diversity as a competitive advantage
15% of restaurant franchises have implemented inclusive hiring practices
63% of restaurant employees believe that diversity training improves team cohesion
29% of restaurant industry workers have voiced concerns about racial bias
34% of restaurant companies offer employee resource groups (ERGs) focused on diversity and inclusion
68% of restaurant employees believe that DEI efforts should be a top priority for management
37% of restaurant managers have received training on unconscious bias
14% of restaurant employees have left a position due to discrimination or lack of inclusivity
41% of restaurant workers report that their company's DEI initiatives positively impact their job satisfaction
32% of restaurant companies have set measurable goals for DEI outcomes
54% of restaurant managers believe that improving diversity reduces employee conflicts
29% of restaurant employees report feeling excluded due to cultural differences

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Interpretation

While 70% of restaurant industry leaders recognize diversity as a strategic asset, the startling gap between their appreciation and the mere 15% with formal DEI plans underscores that in the culinary world, true inclusion still remains on the menu as a work in progress rather than a fully baked reality.