GITNUXREPORT 2025

Hr In The Qsr Industry Statistics

QSR HR faces hiring, retention, and diversity challenges amid automation growth.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

70% of QSR managers believe HR automation improves employee engagement

Statistic 2

55% of QSR companies provide mental health support for employees

Statistic 3

40% of QSR chains report implementing employee wellness programs

Statistic 4

55% of QSR HR teams monitor employee satisfaction regularly

Statistic 5

15% of frontline QSR employees have access to mental health resources at work

Statistic 6

75% of HR leaders in QSR plan to invest more in employee development programs

Statistic 7

45% of QSR employees feel they receive adequate recognition from management

Statistic 8

55% of QSR HR managers prioritize employee safety programs

Statistic 9

32% of QSRs provide career advancement opportunities within the organization

Statistic 10

50% of QSR employees report feeling engaged at work

Statistic 11

45% of QSR HR teams are focusing more on mental health and wellness initiatives

Statistic 12

22% of QSR managers use employee feedback tools to improve workplace culture

Statistic 13

65% of QSR chains report difficulties in hiring qualified HR personnel

Statistic 14

45% of QSR restaurant managers have HR certification

Statistic 15

60% of QSRs use employee referral programs as a primary recruitment channel

Statistic 16

15% increase in HR-related expenses in QSRs over the last year

Statistic 17

45% of QSR HR teams plan to increase training budgets in the coming year

Statistic 18

60% of QSR HR teams use data analytics to inform hiring decisions

Statistic 19

50% of QSR restaurants plan to increase wages as a recruitment strategy

Statistic 20

55% of QSR HR teams have increased focus on inclusive hiring practices

Statistic 21

60% of QSR HR teams are planning to enhance onboarding processes in the next year

Statistic 22

18% of QSR franchisees report challenges in standardizing HR policies across locations

Statistic 23

40% of QSR hires are made through social media platforms

Statistic 24

55% of QSR HR policies now include considerations for remote or hybrid work arrangements

Statistic 25

42% of QSR brands conduct regular diversity and inclusion training

Statistic 26

70% of QSR employees feel management does not effectively communicate job expectations

Statistic 27

33% of HR staff report challenges with remote team management

Statistic 28

42% of QSR franchisees report difficulties in managing multi-unit HR operations

Statistic 29

65% of QSR HR professionals believe that diversity improves customer satisfaction

Statistic 30

78% of HR in QSR believe that diversity and inclusion initiatives positively impact employee performance

Statistic 31

35% of QSR HR professionals have experienced increased workload due to compliance regulations

Statistic 32

80% of HR in QSR report using digital tools for recruitment

Statistic 33

30% of QSR HR teams have implemented AI-based scheduling software

Statistic 34

35% of QSR HR teams have adopted virtual onboarding processes

Statistic 35

65% of QSR HR professionals say automation has reduced administrative workload

Statistic 36

50% of QSR businesses have adopted mobile apps for employee scheduling

Statistic 37

30% of HR managers in QSR are planning to implement artificial intelligence tools in recruitment

Statistic 38

20% of QSRs employ dedicated HR technology specialists

Statistic 39

48% of HR teams in QSR have adopted e-learning platforms for staff training

Statistic 40

28% of HR departments in QSR are exploring virtual reality training options

Statistic 41

55% of QSRs have an employee-only communication app or platform

Statistic 42

52% of QSR restaurants use Gamification techniques in employee training

Statistic 43

25% of HR managers cite high cost as a barrier to implementing new HR technologies

Statistic 44

65% of HR endpoints in QSR are evaluating new tools for HR analytics

Statistic 45

40% of QSR employees are under 25 years old

Statistic 46

24% of QSR employees work part-time

Statistic 47

The average age of QSR employees is 24 years old

Statistic 48

Average turnover rate in QSR industry is approximately 150%

Statistic 49

50% of QSR employers report difficulty in maintaining diversity hiring goals

Statistic 50

21% of QSR employees leave within their first 3 months

Statistic 51

55% of QSR HR managers believe retention is their biggest challenge

Statistic 52

20% of QSR employees have plans to leave within the next six months

Statistic 53

25% of QSR employees participate in company-provided training programs annually

Statistic 54

40% of QSRs have difficulty filling managerial positions

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Key Highlights

65% of QSR chains report difficulties in hiring qualified HR personnel
Average turnover rate in QSR industry is approximately 150%
40% of QSR employees are under 25 years old
70% of QSR managers believe HR automation improves employee engagement
55% of QSR companies provide mental health support for employees
24% of QSR employees work part-time
80% of HR in QSR report using digital tools for recruitment
30% of QSR HR teams have implemented AI-based scheduling software
The average age of QSR employees is 24 years old
45% of QSR restaurant managers have HR certification
50% of QSR employers report difficulty in maintaining diversity hiring goals
21% of QSR employees leave within their first 3 months
60% of QSRs use employee referral programs as a primary recruitment channel

Struggling to find qualified HR talent and keep young employees engaged, the QSR industry is rapidly transforming its human resources landscape with innovative digital tools, automation, and a renewed focus on diversity and wellness.

Employee Engagement and Well-being

70% of QSR managers believe HR automation improves employee engagement
55% of QSR companies provide mental health support for employees
40% of QSR chains report implementing employee wellness programs
55% of QSR HR teams monitor employee satisfaction regularly
15% of frontline QSR employees have access to mental health resources at work
75% of HR leaders in QSR plan to invest more in employee development programs
45% of QSR employees feel they receive adequate recognition from management
55% of QSR HR managers prioritize employee safety programs
32% of QSRs provide career advancement opportunities within the organization
50% of QSR employees report feeling engaged at work
45% of QSR HR teams are focusing more on mental health and wellness initiatives
22% of QSR managers use employee feedback tools to improve workplace culture

Employee Engagement and Well-being Interpretation

While a majority of QSR HR leaders are betting on automation and wellness initiatives to boost employee engagement, the stark reality remains that many frontline employees still lack access to mental health resources, highlighting a critical disconnect between management ambitions and workforce needs in the fast-food industry.

HR Practices and Recruitment Strategies

65% of QSR chains report difficulties in hiring qualified HR personnel
45% of QSR restaurant managers have HR certification
60% of QSRs use employee referral programs as a primary recruitment channel
15% increase in HR-related expenses in QSRs over the last year
45% of QSR HR teams plan to increase training budgets in the coming year
60% of QSR HR teams use data analytics to inform hiring decisions
50% of QSR restaurants plan to increase wages as a recruitment strategy
55% of QSR HR teams have increased focus on inclusive hiring practices
60% of QSR HR teams are planning to enhance onboarding processes in the next year
18% of QSR franchisees report challenges in standardizing HR policies across locations
40% of QSR hires are made through social media platforms
55% of QSR HR policies now include considerations for remote or hybrid work arrangements
42% of QSR brands conduct regular diversity and inclusion training

HR Practices and Recruitment Strategies Interpretation

Amid rising HR costs and fierce competition for qualified talent, QSR chains are increasingly relying on analytics, social media, and inclusive practices — all while grappling with the challenge of standardizing policies across franchises in a labor market demanding both flexibility and expertise.

Management Challenges and Diversity Initiatives

70% of QSR employees feel management does not effectively communicate job expectations
33% of HR staff report challenges with remote team management
42% of QSR franchisees report difficulties in managing multi-unit HR operations
65% of QSR HR professionals believe that diversity improves customer satisfaction
78% of HR in QSR believe that diversity and inclusion initiatives positively impact employee performance
35% of QSR HR professionals have experienced increased workload due to compliance regulations

Management Challenges and Diversity Initiatives Interpretation

In the fast-paced world of QSR, where over two-thirds see communication gaps, nearly 80% recognize diversity’s boost to performance, yet a mounting compliance workload underscores that even in quick service, managing people is no speedy sprint.

Technology Adoption and Digital Tools

80% of HR in QSR report using digital tools for recruitment
30% of QSR HR teams have implemented AI-based scheduling software
35% of QSR HR teams have adopted virtual onboarding processes
65% of QSR HR professionals say automation has reduced administrative workload
50% of QSR businesses have adopted mobile apps for employee scheduling
30% of HR managers in QSR are planning to implement artificial intelligence tools in recruitment
20% of QSRs employ dedicated HR technology specialists
48% of HR teams in QSR have adopted e-learning platforms for staff training
28% of HR departments in QSR are exploring virtual reality training options
55% of QSRs have an employee-only communication app or platform
52% of QSR restaurants use Gamification techniques in employee training
25% of HR managers cite high cost as a barrier to implementing new HR technologies
65% of HR endpoints in QSR are evaluating new tools for HR analytics

Technology Adoption and Digital Tools Interpretation

With most QSR HR teams embracing digital and AI tools—despite cost hurdles—it's clear that automation, virtual onboarding, and innovative training are transforming the fast-food workforce into a tech-driven, more efficient culinary army.

Workforce Demographics

40% of QSR employees are under 25 years old
24% of QSR employees work part-time
The average age of QSR employees is 24 years old

Workforce Demographics Interpretation

With nearly a quarter of part-time staff and an average age of just 24, the QSR industry is clearly a youthful, flexible workforce—blessing it with energy yet perhaps challenged to reap long-term loyalty.

Workforce Demographics and Turnover

Average turnover rate in QSR industry is approximately 150%
50% of QSR employers report difficulty in maintaining diversity hiring goals
21% of QSR employees leave within their first 3 months
55% of QSR HR managers believe retention is their biggest challenge
20% of QSR employees have plans to leave within the next six months
25% of QSR employees participate in company-provided training programs annually
40% of QSRs have difficulty filling managerial positions

Workforce Demographics and Turnover Interpretation

With an industry where half stumble in diversity hiring, a fifth bolt within three months, and HR managers citing retention as their biggest hurdle, it’s clear that QSRs are caught in a high-turnover "revolving door"—demanding innovative, sustainable solutions to turn fleeting talent into lasting team members.