GITNUXREPORT 2025

Restaurant Industry Statistics

Global industry worth over $3 trillion; fast-food dominates U.S. market.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

About 67% of restaurant sales in the U.S. are made through dine-in services

Statistic 2

40% of consumers prefer to order food via restaurant apps or websites

Statistic 3

About 52% of restaurant customers prefer healthy menu options

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80% of consumers say they are more likely to visit a restaurant that offers free Wi-Fi

Statistic 5

30% of restaurants experienced a decline in customer volume due to inflation in 2023

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65% of millennial consumers say they dine out more than once a week

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The average tip percentage in U.S. restaurants is about 15.8%

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The average wait time for a table in a popular restaurant is around 20 minutes

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More than 50% of restaurant transactions are paid via card or mobile payment

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78% of consumers are more likely to order from a restaurant with an active social media presence

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About 35% of restaurant guests are families with children

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45% of consumers consider restaurant sustainability practices when choosing where to dine

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The COVID-19 pandemic led to a 30% increase in the adoption of online ordering by restaurants

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65% of diners say they are more likely to revisit a restaurant with eco-friendly practices

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The average spend per person in a casual dining restaurant is approximately $20

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80% of restaurants reported an increase in delivery and takeout orders during 2022

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45% of consumers say their food preferences are influenced by social media influencers

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22% of consumers say that convenience is the key factor in choosing a restaurant

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55% of consumers prefer to dine out at independently owned restaurants rather than chains

Statistic 20

68% of diners prefer to see allergen and nutrition information on menus

Statistic 21

The average check size in fast casual restaurants is around $12

Statistic 22

65% of restaurant consumers want more plant-based and vegan offerings

Statistic 23

Consumer spending on dining out increased by 7% in 2023 compared to the previous year

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25% of restaurant revenue comes from alcoholic beverage sales

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The vegan menu options have increased by over 60% in the last five years

Statistic 26

The rise in plant-based foods has contributed to an 8% increase in vegetarian and vegan menu options across restaurants

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Environmental sustainability initiatives cost the average restaurant approximately 4% of their budget

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45% of restaurant owners plan to invest more in sustainability and eco-friendly practices in 2024

Statistic 29

The global restaurant industry is worth over $3 trillion annually

Statistic 30

In 2023, the U.S. restaurant industry's sales reached approximately $998 billion

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Fast food constitutes approximately 50% of the U.S. restaurant sales

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The number of restaurants in the U.S. exceeds 660,000

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Nearly 60% of restaurant sales are generated by chains

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Mobile ordering accounts for approximately 25% of all restaurant orders

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The global food delivery market is projected to reach $365 billion by 2027

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Food costs represent approximately 30% of total restaurant operating expenses

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The number of ghost kitchens (virtual restaurants) globally has surged by over 200% between 2019 and 2023

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The average gross profit margin for restaurants is around 5-10%

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The total number of restaurant locations worldwide is estimated to be over 2 million

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The global catering services market is projected to reach $1.3 trillion by 2027

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The average restaurant employee turnover rate is around 70% annually

Statistic 42

The average restaurant seat turnover rate is around 1.4 times per day

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The median age of U.S. restaurant owners is approximately 55 years

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The average salary of a restaurant manager in the U.S. is approximately $55,000 per year

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About 25% of restaurant employees are under the age of 25

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The number of mobile food trucks in the U.S. has grown by approximately 20% annually since 2018

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The industry employs over 15 million people in the U.S.

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53% of restaurant businesses experienced staffing shortages in 2023

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The average employee clock-in via digital systems has increased to over 80% in 2023

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60% of restaurant operators have experienced cyber security incidents since 2022

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30% of restaurants have added contactless payment options since 2020

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70% of restaurant operators are planning to expand their digital offerings in the next year

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Key Highlights

The global restaurant industry is worth over $3 trillion annually
In 2023, the U.S. restaurant industry's sales reached approximately $998 billion
About 67% of restaurant sales in the U.S. are made through dine-in services
40% of consumers prefer to order food via restaurant apps or websites
The average restaurant employee turnover rate is around 70% annually
Fast food constitutes approximately 50% of the U.S. restaurant sales
The number of restaurants in the U.S. exceeds 660,000
Nearly 60% of restaurant sales are generated by chains
About 52% of restaurant customers prefer healthy menu options
Mobile ordering accounts for approximately 25% of all restaurant orders
The global food delivery market is projected to reach $365 billion by 2027
The average restaurant seat turnover rate is around 1.4 times per day
80% of consumers say they are more likely to visit a restaurant that offers free Wi-Fi

From a booming global valuation exceeding $3 trillion to rapid innovations like ghost kitchens and digital ordering, the restaurant industry is undergoing a transformative shift driven by changing consumer preferences and technological advancements.

Consumer Behavior and Dining Preferences

About 67% of restaurant sales in the U.S. are made through dine-in services
40% of consumers prefer to order food via restaurant apps or websites
About 52% of restaurant customers prefer healthy menu options
80% of consumers say they are more likely to visit a restaurant that offers free Wi-Fi
30% of restaurants experienced a decline in customer volume due to inflation in 2023
65% of millennial consumers say they dine out more than once a week
The average tip percentage in U.S. restaurants is about 15.8%
The average wait time for a table in a popular restaurant is around 20 minutes
More than 50% of restaurant transactions are paid via card or mobile payment
78% of consumers are more likely to order from a restaurant with an active social media presence
About 35% of restaurant guests are families with children
45% of consumers consider restaurant sustainability practices when choosing where to dine
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a 30% increase in the adoption of online ordering by restaurants
65% of diners say they are more likely to revisit a restaurant with eco-friendly practices
The average spend per person in a casual dining restaurant is approximately $20
80% of restaurants reported an increase in delivery and takeout orders during 2022
45% of consumers say their food preferences are influenced by social media influencers
22% of consumers say that convenience is the key factor in choosing a restaurant
55% of consumers prefer to dine out at independently owned restaurants rather than chains
68% of diners prefer to see allergen and nutrition information on menus
The average check size in fast casual restaurants is around $12
65% of restaurant consumers want more plant-based and vegan offerings
Consumer spending on dining out increased by 7% in 2023 compared to the previous year

Consumer Behavior and Dining Preferences Interpretation

With 67% of sales still rooted in traditional dine-in experiences and a growing 80% craving free Wi-Fi and online ordering, the restaurant industry is navigating the gourmet crossroads between nostalgic service and digital convenience, all while balancing sustainability, health-conscious menus, and the unpredictable tides of inflation.

Market Segments, Innovations, and Sustainability

25% of restaurant revenue comes from alcoholic beverage sales
The vegan menu options have increased by over 60% in the last five years
The rise in plant-based foods has contributed to an 8% increase in vegetarian and vegan menu options across restaurants
Environmental sustainability initiatives cost the average restaurant approximately 4% of their budget
45% of restaurant owners plan to invest more in sustainability and eco-friendly practices in 2024

Market Segments, Innovations, and Sustainability Interpretation

With nearly a quarter of revenue flowing from drinks, a booming 60% surge in vegan options, and nearly half of restaurant owners planning to invest more in eco-friendly practices, the industry is drinking, dining, and aiming to grow greener in a balancing act of profits and sustainability.

Market Size and Industry Valuation

The global restaurant industry is worth over $3 trillion annually
In 2023, the U.S. restaurant industry's sales reached approximately $998 billion
Fast food constitutes approximately 50% of the U.S. restaurant sales
The number of restaurants in the U.S. exceeds 660,000
Nearly 60% of restaurant sales are generated by chains
Mobile ordering accounts for approximately 25% of all restaurant orders
The global food delivery market is projected to reach $365 billion by 2027
Food costs represent approximately 30% of total restaurant operating expenses
The number of ghost kitchens (virtual restaurants) globally has surged by over 200% between 2019 and 2023
The average gross profit margin for restaurants is around 5-10%
The total number of restaurant locations worldwide is estimated to be over 2 million
The global catering services market is projected to reach $1.3 trillion by 2027

Market Size and Industry Valuation Interpretation

With a $3 trillion global footprint and over 2 million outlets worldwide, the restaurant industry’s sweet spot is serving up rapid growth, digital dine-in, and ghost kitchens, all while balancing slim profit margins in a landscape where fast food and food delivery reign supreme.

Operational Trends and Workforce Dynamics

The average restaurant employee turnover rate is around 70% annually
The average restaurant seat turnover rate is around 1.4 times per day
The median age of U.S. restaurant owners is approximately 55 years
The average salary of a restaurant manager in the U.S. is approximately $55,000 per year
About 25% of restaurant employees are under the age of 25
The number of mobile food trucks in the U.S. has grown by approximately 20% annually since 2018
The industry employs over 15 million people in the U.S.
53% of restaurant businesses experienced staffing shortages in 2023
The average employee clock-in via digital systems has increased to over 80% in 2023
60% of restaurant operators have experienced cyber security incidents since 2022

Operational Trends and Workforce Dynamics Interpretation

With a 70% annual turnover and 53% staffing shortages, the restaurant industry—a vibrant yet volatile culinary ecosystem—serves up a heaping plate of both opportunity and challenge, all while embracing digital shifts and a booming mobile food truck scene driven by a median 55-year-old owner’s seasoned yet restless spirit.

Technological Adoption and Digital Transformation

30% of restaurants have added contactless payment options since 2020
70% of restaurant operators are planning to expand their digital offerings in the next year

Technological Adoption and Digital Transformation Interpretation

With 30% of restaurants embracing contactless payments since 2020 and 70% planning to expand digital offerings, it's clear that the industry is ordering up a hefty digital upgrade—proof that to survive in the fast lane, eateries must serve technology on the side.