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.).
02
Food services and drinking places had total annual employment of 13.7 million in 2022 (U.S.).
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.
02 · Category
Industry Trends5 stats
01
8.1% unemployment rate in the food services sector in May 2024 (seasonally unadjusted)
02
78% of restaurant operators reported they use POS systems that support online ordering and integrations (2024 survey)
03
In 2024, loyalty members represent 34% of transactions for major U.S. restaurant brands
04
Dynamic pricing pilots were used by 12% of major restaurant delivery platforms in 2024
05
Third-party delivery fees averaged 15% of order value for restaurant merchants in 2024
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
Across industry trends, restaurants are leaning into digital ordering and retention, with 78% of operators using POS systems that support online ordering and integrations and loyalty members driving 34% of transactions for major U.S. brands in 2024.
03 · Category
Cost Analysis2 stats
01
6.4% average annual wage growth for food preparation and serving-related occupations in 2023
02
2.7% year-over-year increase in U.S. average hourly earnings for food preparation and serving-related occupations in 2024
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
02
$6.1 billion U.S. restaurant POS systems market in 2024
03
27.3% CAGR projected for cloud kitchen market worldwide from 2024 to 2032
04
18.7% CAGR expected for restaurant cybersecurity solutions market from 2021 to 2030
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
02
52% of consumers said they are influenced by restaurant reviews when choosing where to eat (2024 survey)
03
72% of consumers say they expect restaurants to offer delivery options
04
4.8% of U.S. consumers used restaurant delivery apps during the week after Thanksgiving 2023 (share of weekly app users)
05
53% of diners say they are more likely to visit a restaurant that offers loyalty rewards
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
02
8.5% of U.S. quick-service restaurant (QSR) revenue was generated through delivery in 2023
03
Restaurant and other food services had a 0.6% year-over-year change in revenue in 2023 (real terms)
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
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
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
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
22 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+4 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)