Beyond the classic stereotypes of saunas and Santa Claus, Finland's restaurant scene is a dynamic economic engine, where a remarkable 5.23 billion euro annual turnover fuels innovation, serves a nation of discerning diners, and employs tens of thousands.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the total turnover of the Finnish restaurant sector was 5.23 billion euros, representing 2.1% of Finland's GDP
- The fine dining segment of Finnish restaurants generated 1.12 billion euros in revenue in 2023, up 4.7% from the previous year
- Fast food outlets in Finland achieved a combined revenue of 1.85 billion euros in 2022, accounting for 35% of total restaurant sales
- In 2022, Finland's restaurant industry employed 78,500 people full-time equivalent, with 45% part-time workers
- Average monthly wage in Finnish restaurants was 2,450 euros gross in 2023
- 12,400 new jobs were created in the restaurant sector in 2023, a 9.2% increase
- 67% of Finns dined out at least once a month in 2023
- Average spend per restaurant visit was 28 euros in 2022
- 42% of consumers preferred local ingredients in 2023 surveys
- Number of restaurant establishments in Finland was 11,250 in 2022
- Helsinki hosted 3,820 restaurants in 2023, 34% of national total
- New restaurant openings: 1,120 in 2023, up 8% from 2022
- Plant-based menu adoption reached 92% of restaurants in 2023
- AI reservation systems used by 34% of urban restaurants 2023
- Zero-waste initiatives implemented in 28% of fine dining spots 2022
Finland's restaurant industry is thriving with diverse revenue streams and strong consumer demand.
Consumer Behavior
- 67% of Finns dined out at least once a month in 2023
- Average spend per restaurant visit was 28 euros in 2022
- 42% of consumers preferred local ingredients in 2023 surveys
- Online ordering frequency increased to 3.2 times monthly per user in 2023
- Vegetarian diners rose to 12% of restaurant visitors in 2022
- Alcohol consumption at restaurants averaged 1.8 units per visit in 2023
- Family dining out occurred 2.4 times per month on average in 2022
- 55% of millennials chose sustainable restaurants in 2023
- Peak dining time shifted to 18:00-20:00, 68% of visits in 2022
- Loyalty program participation: 37% of diners in 2023
- Weekend dining frequency: 1.7 visits per person monthly in 2022
- Health-conscious choices like salads up 22% in orders 2023
- Group dining average party size 4.1 persons in 2022
- Cashless payments reached 92% of restaurant transactions in 2023
- Seasonal menu preferences: 61% chose summer light dishes in 2023
- Reviews influence 78% of dining choices per 2022 TripAdvisor data
- Average wait time tolerance: 15 minutes for 73% consumers 2023
- Craft beverage orders grew 31% year-over-year in 2022
- Solo dining increased to 24% of visits in urban areas 2023
- Allergy declarations at booking: 19% in 2022
- Mobile app bookings: 46% of reservations in 2023
- Price sensitivity: 52% avoided price hikes over 5% in 2022
- Outdoor terrace preference: 67% in summer 2023
- Wine pairing popularity: 28% of fine dining in 2022
- Post-dinner coffee orders: 81% in cafes 2023
- Eco-label influence on 39% purchase decisions 2022
Consumer Behavior Interpretation
While Finns are dining out more frequently, their discerning tastes—evident in a growing preference for local ingredients, sustainable choices, and vegetarian options—are being matched by a distinctly modern impatience, as they now demand quicker, cashless service and a craft beverage in hand within a fifteen-minute window, all while carefully reviewing their ethical and digital options.
Employment and Labor
- In 2022, Finland's restaurant industry employed 78,500 people full-time equivalent, with 45% part-time workers
- Average monthly wage in Finnish restaurants was 2,450 euros gross in 2023
- 12,400 new jobs were created in the restaurant sector in 2023, a 9.2% increase
- Women comprised 58% of the restaurant workforce in Finland in 2022
- Youth under 25 made up 32% of restaurant employees in 2023
- Turnover rate in Finnish restaurants averaged 28% annually in 2022
- Chefs numbered 22,100 in Finland's restaurants in 2023
- Seasonal employment peaked at 15,200 workers in summer 2023 restaurants
- Foreign workers accounted for 18% of restaurant staff in 2022, mainly from Estonia and Thailand
- Training hours per employee in restaurants averaged 24 hours in 2023
- Unemployment rate among restaurant workers was 4.7% in 2023
- Servers and waitstaff totaled 31,500 positions in 2022
- Labor costs represented 32% of total restaurant expenses in 2023
- Apprenticeships in restaurants grew by 14% to 4,200 in 2023
- Average working hours per week for restaurant staff was 34.2 in 2022
- Management positions in restaurants: 8,900 filled in 2023
- Sick leave days averaged 12.5 per employee annually in 2022 restaurants
- Union membership rate among restaurant workers was 67% in 2023
- Overtime hours totaled 2.1 million in the sector in 2022
- Disability employment in restaurants: 3.2% of workforce in 2023
- Helsinki restaurants employed 28,400 people in 2022, 36% national total
- Bartenders numbered 7,800 across Finland in 2023
- Post-pandemic job recovery added 11,300 positions by end of 2022
- Gender pay gap in restaurants was 14% in 2023
- Kitchen assistants: 14,200 employed in 2022
- Remote training adoption for staff reached 45% of restaurants in 2023
- Labor shortage affected 62% of restaurants in 2023 survey
- Average employee tenure in restaurants was 4.2 years in 2022
- Night shift workers in restaurants: 19,400 in 2023
Employment and Labor Interpretation
Finland's restaurant scene thrives as a spirited, slightly chaotic ballet where a youthful, predominantly female, and refreshingly diverse cast—bolstered by strong union support and a hearty appetite for apprenticeships—dances through a high-turnover, labor-shortage waltz, all while earnestly trying to narrow a persistent pay gap and keep the kitchen fires burning.
Establishments and Infrastructure
- Number of restaurant establishments in Finland was 11,250 in 2022
- Helsinki hosted 3,820 restaurants in 2023, 34% of national total
- New restaurant openings: 1,120 in 2023, up 8% from 2022
- Closures: 890 restaurants shut down in 2022 due to economic pressures
- Average restaurant size: 150 m² floor space in 2023
- Chains operated 4,200 outlets in 2022, 37% market share
- Independent eateries: 7,050 in Finland 2023
- Lapland had 780 tourist-focused restaurants in 2022
- Fast food locations: 2,450 nationwide in 2023
- Pubs and bars: 1,890 establishments in 2022
- Cafes totaled 2,120 in urban areas 2023
- Hotel-integrated restaurants: 1,450 in 2022
- Food courts in malls: 320 locations hosting 1,200 vendors 2023
- Average kitchen equipment investment: 250,000 euros per new restaurant 2022
- Terrace seats total: 145,000 across Finland in summer 2023
- Renovation rate: 22% of restaurants updated interiors in 2022
- Drive-thru facilities: 450 in operation 2023
- Michelin-starred restaurants: 8 in Finland 2023
- Mobile food trucks registered: 1,250 in 2022
- Brewery-restaurants: 210 sites in 2023
- Airport restaurants: 45 outlets in major airports 2022
- University campus eateries: 180 in 2023
- Pop-up restaurants: 320 temporary setups in 2022
- EV charging stations at restaurants: 1,200 by end 2023
- Digital POS systems adoption: 88% of establishments 2022
- Waste management compliance: 96% of restaurants certified 2023
- Sustainability certifications held by 1,450 restaurants in 2022
Establishments and Infrastructure Interpretation
Despite a turbulent climate where one in ten restaurants shutter annually, Finland's dining scene stubbornly thrives, with Helsinki claiming a third of the nation's eateries while independent restaurateurs valiantly outnumber chains, all while collectively striving for sustainability on a foundation of surprisingly small floorspace and very expensive coffee machines.
Revenue and Market Size
- In 2022, the total turnover of the Finnish restaurant sector was 5.23 billion euros, representing 2.1% of Finland's GDP
- The fine dining segment of Finnish restaurants generated 1.12 billion euros in revenue in 2023, up 4.7% from the previous year
- Fast food outlets in Finland achieved a combined revenue of 1.85 billion euros in 2022, accounting for 35% of total restaurant sales
- Pubs and bars contributed 892 million euros to the restaurant industry's revenue in 2021
- The average annual revenue per restaurant establishment in Finland was 456,000 euros in 2022
- Cafe revenue in Finland totaled 678 million euros in 2023, with a 6.2% growth rate year-over-year
- Hotel restaurants generated 1.45 billion euros in 2022, comprising 28% of hospitality sector revenue
- Independent restaurants' revenue share was 62% of the total market at 3.24 billion euros in 2022
- The Helsinki region restaurants recorded 2.1 billion euros in turnover in 2022, 40% of national total
- Vegan and plant-based menu revenue grew by 15.3% to 245 million euros in 2023 across Finnish eateries
- Delivery and takeaway sales reached 1.1 billion euros in 2022, 21% of total restaurant revenue
- Craft beer pubs generated 156 million euros in 2023, up 12% from 2022
- Seafood restaurants' revenue was 298 million euros in 2022
- Buffet-style restaurants earned 412 million euros annually in 2023 average
- The restaurant industry's VAT revenue contribution to the state was 1.04 billion euros in 2022
- Quick-service restaurants hit 2.03 billion euros turnover in 2023
- Ethnic cuisine restaurants generated 567 million euros in 2022
- Winter seasonal revenue boost for restaurants was 18% higher in Lapland, totaling 89 million euros in Q4 2022
- Online reservation platforms drove 14% revenue increase, adding 730 million euros in 2023
- Sustainable sourcing restaurants saw 9.2% revenue growth to 1.67 billion euros in 2022
- The total revenue growth rate for Finnish restaurants was 7.8% in 2023 compared to 2022
- Casual dining segment revenue stood at 2.41 billion euros in 2022
- Alko-adjacent restaurant sales boosted alcohol revenue by 22% to 345 million euros in 2023
- Rural area restaurants revenue was 789 million euros in 2022, 15% of national total
- Post-COVID recovery saw restaurant revenue rebound by 19.4% in 2022 to 5.23 billion euros
- Gourmet restaurants in Finland earned average 1.2 million euros per establishment in 2023
- Food truck revenue collective was 112 million euros in summer 2023
- Corporate catering revenue reached 956 million euros in 2022
- Festival food vendors contributed 67 million euros during 2023 events
- The restaurant sector's export-related revenue from tourists was 1.89 billion euros in 2023
Revenue and Market Size Interpretation
Finland's dining scene is a robust and surprisingly egalitarian feast, where a fast-food burger joint, a craft beer pub, and a fine dining temple all contribute to a hearty national table that serves up over two percent of the country's GDP, proving that whether it's a reindeer sausage at a Lapland festival or a tasting menu in Helsinki, every bite counts.
Trends and Innovations
- Plant-based menu adoption reached 92% of restaurants in 2023
- AI reservation systems used by 34% of urban restaurants 2023
- Zero-waste initiatives implemented in 28% of fine dining spots 2022
- Contactless payment terminals: 98% penetration by 2023
- Local sourcing percentage averaged 65% in 2023 menus
- Ghost kitchens operated by 15% of chains in 2022
- NFT loyalty programs trialed in 12 Helsinki restaurants 2023
- Vertical farming partnerships: 210 restaurants in 2023
- Drone delivery pilots for restaurants: 5 locations in 2022
- Fermentation technique menus up 41% in 2023
- AR menu experiences offered by 22% of modern eateries 2023
- Compostable packaging shift: 76% adoption in 2022
- Personalized nutrition apps integrated in 18% restaurants 2023
- Lab-grown meat trials: 3 restaurants in 2023
- Voice ordering via assistants: 11% usage in fast casual 2022
- Upcycled ingredient menus: 35% of innovative spots 2023
- Robotics in kitchens: 42 installations by 2023
- Carbon footprint labeling on 29% menus in 2022
- Virtual reality dining events: 15 pilots in 2023
- Blockchain traceability for fish: 67 seafood restaurants 2023
- Hyper-local pop-ups surged 25% in 2022
- Wellness-focused fusion cuisines: 19% menu growth 2023
- Subscription meal boxes from restaurants: 8,500 subscribers 2022
- Gamified dining apps: 24 restaurants in 2023
- Insect protein dishes: 14 restaurants offering in 2023
- Smart fridges for delivery: 1,200 units in restaurants 2022
Trends and Innovations Interpretation
The Finnish restaurant scene has evolved into a fascinating paradox where nearly every place will gladly sell you a beetroot tartare booked by AI and paid for contactlessly, yet somehow you still can't get a drone to bring you lab-grown meatloaf while you're wearing a VR headset in a pop-up.
Sources & References
- Reference 1STATstat.fiVisit source
- Reference 2MARAmara.fiVisit source
- Reference 3TILASTOKESKUStilastokeskus.fiVisit source
- Reference 4ECec.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 5PWCpwc.fiVisit source
- Reference 6HELhel.fiVisit source
- Reference 7GOODANDCOgoodandco.fiVisit source
- Reference 8OLVIolvi.fiVisit source
- Reference 9LUKEluke.fiVisit source
- Reference 10VMvm.fiVisit source
- Reference 11MCDONALDSmcdonalds.fiVisit source
- Reference 12LAPLANDlapland.fiVisit source
- Reference 13TABLEONLINEtableonline.fiVisit source
- Reference 14SLLsll.fiVisit source
- Reference 15TECHNAVIOtechnavio.comVisit source
- Reference 16ALKOalko.fiVisit source
- Reference 17MMLmml.fiVisit source
- Reference 18MICHELINmichelin.comVisit source
- Reference 19RUOKAREKATruokarekat.fiVisit source
- Reference 20SODEXOsodexo.fiVisit source
- Reference 21FESTIVALSUOMIfestivalsuomi.fiVisit source
- Reference 22VISITFINLANDvisitfinland.comVisit source
- Reference 23TEMtem.fiVisit source
- Reference 24POMpom.fiVisit source
- Reference 25MARAmaRa.fiVisit source
- Reference 26MIGRImigri.fiVisit source
- Reference 27ESResr.fiVisit source
- Reference 28AMMATTILIITTO-MARAammattiliitto-mara.fiVisit source
- Reference 29OPPIMISKESKUSoppimiskeskus.fiVisit source
- Reference 30KELAkela.fiVisit source
- Reference 31PAMpam.fiVisit source
- Reference 32TYOSUOJELUtyosuojelu.fiVisit source
- Reference 33VATESvates.fiVisit source
- Reference 34BARTENDERSbartenders.fiVisit source
- Reference 35TASA-ARVOtasa-arvo.fiVisit source
- Reference 36ESEDUesedu.fiVisit source
- Reference 37TYOTURVAtyoturva.fiVisit source
- Reference 38WOLTwolt.comVisit source
- Reference 39VEGveg.fiVisit source
- Reference 40THLthl.fiVisit source
- Reference 41FAMILIAfamilia.fiVisit source
- Reference 42DELOITTEdeloitte.fiVisit source
- Reference 43LOYALTYPLANTloyaltyplant.fiVisit source
- Reference 44FOODORAfoodora.fiVisit source
- Reference 45SUOMENPANKKIsuomenpankki.fiVisit source
- Reference 46K-RUOKAk-ruoka.fiVisit source
- Reference 47TRIPADVISORtripadvisor.fiVisit source
- Reference 48YELPyelp.fiVisit source
- Reference 49PANIMO-JA-JAKELUpanimo-ja-jakelu.fiVisit source
- Reference 50URBANLIVINGurbanliving.fiVisit source
- Reference 51RUOKAVIRASTOruokavirasto.fiVisit source
- Reference 52RESURVAresurva.fiVisit source
- Reference 53KANTARkantar.fiVisit source
- Reference 54SAAsaa.fiVisit source
- Reference 55VIINIviini.fiVisit source
- Reference 56KAHVIkahvi.fiVisit source
- Reference 57MOTIVAmotiva.fiVisit source
- Reference 58YTJytj.fiVisit source
- Reference 59PRHprh.fiVisit source
- Reference 60RAKENNUSTIETOrakennustieto.fiVisit source
- Reference 61YRITTAJATyrittajat.fiVisit source
- Reference 62AVAINLIPPUavainlippu.fiVisit source
- Reference 63KAHVILALIITTOkahvilaliitto.fiVisit source
- Reference 64KAUPPAKESKUSYHDISTYSkauppakeskusyhdistys.fiVisit source
- Reference 65RAVINTOLAKONEETravintolakoneet.fiVisit source
- Reference 66INTERIORinterior.fiVisit source
- Reference 67HESBURGERhesburger.fiVisit source
- Reference 68GUIDEguide.michelin.comVisit source
- Reference 69PANIMOpanimo.fiVisit source
- Reference 70FINAVIAfinavia.fiVisit source
- Reference 71UNIFIunifi.fiVisit source
- Reference 72POPUPpopup.fiVisit source
- Reference 73IFif.fiVisit source
- Reference 74YMPARISTOymparisto.fiVisit source
- Reference 75GREENKEYgreenkey.fiVisit source
- Reference 76VEGAANILIITTOvegaaniliitto.fiVisit source
- Reference 77NETSnets.fiVisit source
- Reference 78DOORDASHdoorDash.fiVisit source
- Reference 79BLOCKCHAINblockchain.fiVisit source
- Reference 80FARMVERTICAfarmvertica.fiVisit source
- Reference 81DHLdhl.fiVisit source
- Reference 82FERMENTOIfermentoi.fiVisit source
- Reference 83AUGMENTEDREALITYaugmentedreality.fiVisit source
- Reference 84SULAPACsulapac.fiVisit source
- Reference 85YLEyle.fiVisit source
- Reference 86REPLICAFARMSreplicafarms.fiVisit source
- Reference 87GOOGLEgoogle.fiVisit source
- Reference 88UPCYCLEFINLANDupcyclefinland.fiVisit source
- Reference 89ROBOTDALINrobotdalin.fiVisit source
- Reference 90SITRAsitra.fiVisit source
- Reference 91VRFINLANDvrfinland.fiVisit source
- Reference 92WWW TRACEABLEFISHwww traceablefish.fiVisit source
- Reference 93LOCALFOODlocalfood.fiVisit source
- Reference 94WELLNESSwellness.fiVisit source
- Reference 95HELLOFRESHhellofresh.fiVisit source
- Reference 96GAMIFYgamify.fiVisit source
- Reference 97ENTOMOFARMSentomofarms.fiVisit source
- Reference 98FRIDGEfridge.fiVisit source