Sixty seven percent of Finns dine out at least once a month. The restaurant sector generates 5.23 billion euros in annual turnover. Figures on employment levels, new openings, and consumer preferences reveal ongoing market adjustments.
Key Takeaways
- 67% of Finns dined out at least once a month in 2023
- In 2022, Finland's restaurant industry employed 78,500 people full-time equivalent, with 45% part-time workers
- Number of restaurant establishments in Finland was 11,250 in 2022
- In 2022, the total turnover of the Finnish restaurant sector was 5.23 billion euros, representing 2.1% of Finland's GDP
- Plant-based menu adoption reached 92% of restaurants in 2023
In Finland, restaurant sales and visitor numbers show steady growth, signaling resilient demand across the industry.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumer Behavior26 stats
01
67% of Finns dined out at least once a month in 2023
02
Average spend per restaurant visit was 28 euros in 2022
03
42% of consumers preferred local ingredients in 2023 surveys
04
Online ordering frequency increased to 3.2 times monthly per user in 2023
05
Vegetarian diners rose to 12% of restaurant visitors in 2022
06
Alcohol consumption at restaurants averaged 1.8 units per visit in 2023
07
Family dining out occurred 2.4 times per month on average in 2022
08
55% of millennials chose sustainable restaurants in 2023
09
Peak dining time shifted to 18:00-20:00, 68% of visits in 2022
10
Loyalty program participation: 37% of diners in 2023
11
Weekend dining frequency: 1.7 visits per person monthly in 2022
12
Health-conscious choices like salads up 22% in orders 2023
13
Group dining average party size 4.1 persons in 2022
14
Cashless payments reached 92% of restaurant transactions in 2023
15
Seasonal menu preferences: 61% chose summer light dishes in 2023
16
Reviews influence 78% of dining choices per 2022 TripAdvisor data
17
Average wait time tolerance: 15 minutes for 73% consumers 2023
18
Craft beverage orders grew 31% year-over-year in 2022
19
Solo dining increased to 24% of visits in urban areas 2023
20
Allergy declarations at booking: 19% in 2022
21
Mobile app bookings: 46% of reservations in 2023
22
Price sensitivity: 52% avoided price hikes over 5% in 2022
23
Outdoor terrace preference: 67% in summer 2023
24
Wine pairing popularity: 28% of fine dining in 2022
25
Post-dinner coffee orders: 81% in cafes 2023
26
Eco-label influence on 39% purchase decisions 2022
Interpretation
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.
02 · Category
Employment and Labor29 stats
01
In 2022, Finland's restaurant industry employed 78,500 people full-time equivalent, with 45% part-time workers
02
Average monthly wage in Finnish restaurants was 2,450 euros gross in 2023
03
12,400 new jobs were created in the restaurant sector in 2023, a 9.2% increase
04
Women comprised 58% of the restaurant workforce in Finland in 2022
05
Youth under 25 made up 32% of restaurant employees in 2023
06
Turnover rate in Finnish restaurants averaged 28% annually in 2022
07
Chefs numbered 22,100 in Finland's restaurants in 2023
08
Seasonal employment peaked at 15,200 workers in summer 2023 restaurants
09
Foreign workers accounted for 18% of restaurant staff in 2022, mainly from Estonia and Thailand
10
Training hours per employee in restaurants averaged 24 hours in 2023
11
Unemployment rate among restaurant workers was 4.7% in 2023
12
Servers and waitstaff totaled 31,500 positions in 2022
13
Labor costs represented 32% of total restaurant expenses in 2023
14
Apprenticeships in restaurants grew by 14% to 4,200 in 2023
15
Average working hours per week for restaurant staff was 34.2 in 2022
16
Management positions in restaurants: 8,900 filled in 2023
17
Sick leave days averaged 12.5 per employee annually in 2022 restaurants
18
Union membership rate among restaurant workers was 67% in 2023
19
Overtime hours totaled 2.1 million in the sector in 2022
20
Disability employment in restaurants: 3.2% of workforce in 2023
21
Helsinki restaurants employed 28,400 people in 2022, 36% national total
22
Bartenders numbered 7,800 across Finland in 2023
23
Post-pandemic job recovery added 11,300 positions by end of 2022
24
Gender pay gap in restaurants was 14% in 2023
25
Kitchen assistants: 14,200 employed in 2022
26
Remote training adoption for staff reached 45% of restaurants in 2023
27
Labor shortage affected 62% of restaurants in 2023 survey
28
Average employee tenure in restaurants was 4.2 years in 2022
29
Night shift workers in restaurants: 19,400 in 2023
Interpretation
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.
03 · Category
Establishments and Infrastructure27 stats
01
Number of restaurant establishments in Finland was 11,250 in 2022
02
Helsinki hosted 3,820 restaurants in 2023, 34% of national total
03
New restaurant openings: 1,120 in 2023, up 8% from 2022
04
Closures: 890 restaurants shut down in 2022 due to economic pressures
05
Average restaurant size: 150 m² floor space in 2023
06
Chains operated 4,200 outlets in 2022, 37% market share
07
Independent eateries: 7,050 in Finland 2023
08
Lapland had 780 tourist-focused restaurants in 2022
09
Fast food locations: 2,450 nationwide in 2023
10
Pubs and bars: 1,890 establishments in 2022
11
Cafes totaled 2,120 in urban areas 2023
12
Hotel-integrated restaurants: 1,450 in 2022
13
Food courts in malls: 320 locations hosting 1,200 vendors 2023
14
Average kitchen equipment investment: 250,000 euros per new restaurant 2022
15
Terrace seats total: 145,000 across Finland in summer 2023
16
Renovation rate: 22% of restaurants updated interiors in 2022
17
Drive-thru facilities: 450 in operation 2023
18
Michelin-starred restaurants: 8 in Finland 2023
19
Mobile food trucks registered: 1,250 in 2022
20
Brewery-restaurants: 210 sites in 2023
21
Airport restaurants: 45 outlets in major airports 2022
22
University campus eateries: 180 in 2023
23
Pop-up restaurants: 320 temporary setups in 2022
24
EV charging stations at restaurants: 1,200 by end 2023
25
Digital POS systems adoption: 88% of establishments 2022
26
Waste management compliance: 96% of restaurants certified 2023
27
Sustainability certifications held by 1,450 restaurants in 2022
Interpretation
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.
More related reading
04 · Category
Revenue and Market Size30 stats
01
In 2022, the total turnover of the Finnish restaurant sector was 5.23 billion euros, representing 2.1% of Finland's GDP
02
The fine dining segment of Finnish restaurants generated 1.12 billion euros in revenue in 2023, up 4.7% from the previous year
03
Fast food outlets in Finland achieved a combined revenue of 1.85 billion euros in 2022, accounting for 35% of total restaurant sales
04
Pubs and bars contributed 892 million euros to the restaurant industry's revenue in 2021
05
The average annual revenue per restaurant establishment in Finland was 456,000 euros in 2022
06
Cafe revenue in Finland totaled 678 million euros in 2023, with a 6.2% growth rate year-over-year
07
Hotel restaurants generated 1.45 billion euros in 2022, comprising 28% of hospitality sector revenue
08
Independent restaurants' revenue share was 62% of the total market at 3.24 billion euros in 2022
09
The Helsinki region restaurants recorded 2.1 billion euros in turnover in 2022, 40% of national total
10
Vegan and plant-based menu revenue grew by 15.3% to 245 million euros in 2023 across Finnish eateries
11
Delivery and takeaway sales reached 1.1 billion euros in 2022, 21% of total restaurant revenue
12
Craft beer pubs generated 156 million euros in 2023, up 12% from 2022
13
Seafood restaurants' revenue was 298 million euros in 2022
14
Buffet-style restaurants earned 412 million euros annually in 2023 average
15
The restaurant industry's VAT revenue contribution to the state was 1.04 billion euros in 2022
16
Quick-service restaurants hit 2.03 billion euros turnover in 2023
17
Ethnic cuisine restaurants generated 567 million euros in 2022
18
Winter seasonal revenue boost for restaurants was 18% higher in Lapland, totaling 89 million euros in Q4 2022
19
Online reservation platforms drove 14% revenue increase, adding 730 million euros in 2023
20
Sustainable sourcing restaurants saw 9.2% revenue growth to 1.67 billion euros in 2022
21
The total revenue growth rate for Finnish restaurants was 7.8% in 2023 compared to 2022
22
Casual dining segment revenue stood at 2.41 billion euros in 2022
23
Alko-adjacent restaurant sales boosted alcohol revenue by 22% to 345 million euros in 2023
24
Rural area restaurants revenue was 789 million euros in 2022, 15% of national total
25
Post-COVID recovery saw restaurant revenue rebound by 19.4% in 2022 to 5.23 billion euros
26
Gourmet restaurants in Finland earned average 1.2 million euros per establishment in 2023
27
Food truck revenue collective was 112 million euros in summer 2023
28
Corporate catering revenue reached 956 million euros in 2022
29
Festival food vendors contributed 67 million euros during 2023 events
30
The restaurant sector's export-related revenue from tourists was 1.89 billion euros in 2023
Interpretation
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.
05 · Category
Trends and Innovations26 stats
01
Plant-based menu adoption reached 92% of restaurants in 2023
02
AI reservation systems used by 34% of urban restaurants 2023
03
Zero-waste initiatives implemented in 28% of fine dining spots 2022
04
Contactless payment terminals: 98% penetration by 2023
05
Local sourcing percentage averaged 65% in 2023 menus
06
Ghost kitchens operated by 15% of chains in 2022
07
NFT loyalty programs trialed in 12 Helsinki restaurants 2023
08
Vertical farming partnerships: 210 restaurants in 2023
09
Drone delivery pilots for restaurants: 5 locations in 2022
10
Fermentation technique menus up 41% in 2023
11
AR menu experiences offered by 22% of modern eateries 2023
12
Compostable packaging shift: 76% adoption in 2022
13
Personalized nutrition apps integrated in 18% restaurants 2023
14
Lab-grown meat trials: 3 restaurants in 2023
15
Voice ordering via assistants: 11% usage in fast casual 2022
16
Upcycled ingredient menus: 35% of innovative spots 2023
17
Robotics in kitchens: 42 installations by 2023
18
Carbon footprint labeling on 29% menus in 2022
19
Virtual reality dining events: 15 pilots in 2023
20
Blockchain traceability for fish: 67 seafood restaurants 2023
21
Hyper-local pop-ups surged 25% in 2022
22
Wellness-focused fusion cuisines: 19% menu growth 2023
23
Subscription meal boxes from restaurants: 8,500 subscribers 2022
24
Gamified dining apps: 24 restaurants in 2023
25
Insect protein dishes: 14 restaurants offering in 2023
26
Smart fridges for delivery: 1,200 units in restaurants 2022
Interpretation
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.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Megan Gallagher. (2026, February 13). Finland Restaurant Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/finland-restaurant-industry-statistics
MLA
Megan Gallagher. "Finland Restaurant Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/finland-restaurant-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Megan Gallagher. 2026. "Finland Restaurant Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/finland-restaurant-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
98 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+1 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)