Gitnux/Report 2026

Restaurant Revenue Statistics

Restaurant Revenue tracks where margins are really won and lost, from 12% of major delivery platforms using dynamic pricing pilots in 2024 to loyalty members now driving 34% of transactions for major U.S. brands. See how pay trends, hiring momentum, and revenue leakage from guest no shows and third party delivery fees are reshaping what restaurants can expect next.
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18Sources
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May 14, 2026Updated
Restaurant Revenue Statistics
Karl BeckerWritten by Karl Becker·Edited by Rebecca Hargrove·Fact-checked by Katherine Brennan
Published ·Updated
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Restaurant revenue is no longer just about foot traffic. With third party delivery fees averaging 15% of order value in 2024 and loyalty members driving 34% of transactions for major US brands, the biggest gains and losses are showing up in the details of how restaurants sell and retain guests. Pair that with a 5.2% year over year rise in restaurant employment in June 2024 and a growing share of spend influenced by reviews, and it becomes clear that labor, tech, and consumer behavior are reshaping revenue in ways many operators still underestimate.

Key Takeaways

  • 5.2% year-over-year increase in restaurant employment in June 2024 (U.S.).
  • Food services and drinking places had total annual employment of 13.7 million in 2022 (U.S.).
  • 8.1% unemployment rate in the food services sector in May 2024 (seasonally unadjusted)
  • 78% of restaurant operators reported they use POS systems that support online ordering and integrations (2024 survey)
  • In 2024, loyalty members represent 34% of transactions for major U.S. restaurant brands
  • 6.4% average annual wage growth for food preparation and serving-related occupations in 2023
  • 2.7% year-over-year increase in U.S. average hourly earnings for food preparation and serving-related occupations in 2024
  • 19.1% CAGR projected for restaurant management software from 2024 to 2032
  • $6.1 billion U.S. restaurant POS systems market in 2024
  • 27.3% CAGR projected for cloud kitchen market worldwide from 2024 to 2032
  • 1 in 4 diners in the U.S. reported using a restaurant gift card at least once in 2023
  • 52% of consumers said they are influenced by restaurant reviews when choosing where to eat (2024 survey)
  • 72% of consumers say they expect restaurants to offer delivery options
  • 3.6% of total U.S. restaurant revenue was lost to “guest no-shows” in 2023
  • 8.5% of U.S. quick-service restaurant (QSR) revenue was generated through delivery in 2023

Restaurant job growth and rising pay are steady, while delivery, POS, and loyalty drive major revenue trends.

Related reading

01 · Category

Employment & Labor2 stats

01
5.2% year-over-year increase in restaurant employment in June 2024 (U.S.).[1]
02
Food services and drinking places had total annual employment of 13.7 million in 2022 (U.S.).[1]
Interpretation

Employment & Labor Interpretation

In the Employment and Labor picture, restaurant employment rose 5.2% year over year in June 2024 while the sector employed 13.7 million people in 2022, signaling steady labor demand alongside recent growth.

03 · Category

Cost Analysis2 stats

01
6.4% average annual wage growth for food preparation and serving-related occupations in 2023[1]
02
2.7% year-over-year increase in U.S. average hourly earnings for food preparation and serving-related occupations in 2024[1]
Interpretation

Cost Analysis Interpretation

From a cost analysis perspective, wages in food preparation and serving-related roles rose steadily, with average annual growth of 6.4% in 2023 and an additional 2.7% year-over-year increase in 2024, signaling continued upward pressure on restaurant labor costs.

04 · Category

Market Size4 stats

01
19.1% CAGR projected for restaurant management software from 2024 to 2032[6]
02
$6.1 billion U.S. restaurant POS systems market in 2024[7]
03
27.3% CAGR projected for cloud kitchen market worldwide from 2024 to 2032[8]
04
18.7% CAGR expected for restaurant cybersecurity solutions market from 2021 to 2030[9]
Interpretation

Market Size Interpretation

From a market size perspective, restaurant-focused tech is poised for strong expansion with a 19.1% projected CAGR for restaurant management software from 2024 to 2032, alongside a $6.1 billion U.S. POS systems market in 2024 and fast-growing adjacent segments like cloud kitchens at 27.3% CAGR through 2032 and cybersecurity at an 18.7% CAGR from 2021 to 2030.

More related reading

05 · Category

Customer Behavior5 stats

01
1 in 4 diners in the U.S. reported using a restaurant gift card at least once in 2023[10]
02
52% of consumers said they are influenced by restaurant reviews when choosing where to eat (2024 survey)[11]
03
72% of consumers say they expect restaurants to offer delivery options[12]
04
4.8% of U.S. consumers used restaurant delivery apps during the week after Thanksgiving 2023 (share of weekly app users)[13]
05
53% of diners say they are more likely to visit a restaurant that offers loyalty rewards[14]
Interpretation

Customer Behavior Interpretation

Customer Behavior is clearly being shaped by incentives and convenience, with 53% of diners more likely to visit restaurants offering loyalty rewards and 72% expecting delivery options, while reviews also play a major role with 52% saying they influence where they eat.

06 · Category

Financial Performance3 stats

01
3.6% of total U.S. restaurant revenue was lost to “guest no-shows” in 2023[15]
02
8.5% of U.S. quick-service restaurant (QSR) revenue was generated through delivery in 2023[16]
03
Restaurant and other food services had a 0.6% year-over-year change in revenue in 2023 (real terms)[17]
Interpretation

Financial Performance Interpretation

In the Financial Performance category, 2023 showed meaningful shifts in revenue sources and stability, with 3.6% lost to guest no-shows and 8.5% of QSR revenue coming from delivery while overall restaurant and other food services revenue declined slightly by 0.6% year over year in real terms.

07 · Category

Industry Structure1 stats

01
In 2023, 1 in 5 restaurants were branded franchise locations[18]
Interpretation

Industry Structure Interpretation

In 2023, 1 in 5 restaurants were branded franchise locations, showing that the restaurant industry’s structure is significantly shaped by franchising.
Reference

Cite This Report

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APA
Karl Becker. (2026, February 13). Restaurant Revenue Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/restaurant-revenue-statistics
MLA
Karl Becker. "Restaurant Revenue Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/restaurant-revenue-statistics.
Chicago
Karl Becker. 2026. "Restaurant Revenue Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/restaurant-revenue-statistics.

Sources & references

18 sources cited across this report

  1. bls.gov
  2. g2.com
  3. yotpo.com
  4. reuters.com
  5. cftc.gov
  6. fortunebusinessinsights.com
  7. precedenceresearch.com
  8. imarcgroup.com
  9. alliedmarketresearch.com
  10. nfda.org
  11. brightlocal.com
  12. npd.com
  13. data.ai
  14. klaviyo.com
  15. no-show.com
  16. onsomething.com
  17. fred.stlouisfed.org
  18. franchising.com