GITNUXREPORT 2025

Restaurants Industry Statistics

Digital adoption and delivery are transforming the global restaurant industry rapidly.

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 60% of restaurant transactions are now made via digital channels

Statistic 2

Millennials and Gen Z make up over 40% of restaurant dining consumers

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Approximately 70% of restaurant operators plan to increase their digital marketing efforts in 2023

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The use of contactless payment in restaurants increased by 30% during the pandemic

Statistic 5

The average spend per person at a restaurant in the U.S. is about $36

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More than 80% of fast-food consumers order via mobile apps

Statistic 7

About 45% of restaurant sales are made during dinner hours

Statistic 8

The vegan restaurant segment grew by 12% in 2022, faster than the overall restaurant industry growth

Statistic 9

25% of consumers prefer to order from restaurants that offer vegan options

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The percentage of restaurants offering alcohol has increased by 10% in the past five years

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Food delivery and takeout account for approximately 40% of total sales in U.S. restaurants

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The increase in chef-driven restaurants has been around 20% over the last decade, indicating a trend toward culinary specialization

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65% of U.S. consumers look for nutritional information before choosing a restaurant meal

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The organic food segment in restaurants has grown by 15% annually over the past five years, reflecting rising consumer demand for healthier options

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In 2022, about 45% of restaurant sales were made during weekends, indicating the importance of weekend business

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40% of restaurant consumers prefer dine-in over takeout or delivery, showing resilience in traditional dining preferences

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The use of loyalty programs in restaurants increased by 20% in 2022, now attracting over 60% of regular customers

Statistic 18

80% of restaurant managers believe that customer reviews significantly impact their business performance

Statistic 19

Restaurant menu prices have increased by an average of 7% in 2022 due to inflation and supply chain disruptions

Statistic 20

The number of plant-based menu items in restaurants increased by 25% from 2020 to 2023, reflecting ongoing dietary shifts

Statistic 21

The percentage of restaurant consumers who check online reviews before dining increased to 85% in 2023, highlighting the importance of online reputation

Statistic 22

The percentage of takeout orders made via third-party apps increased to 65% in 2022, representing a surge in delivery channel adoption

Statistic 23

Nearly 50% of restaurant owners plan to expand their menu offerings in 2023 to attract new customer segments

Statistic 24

55% of consumers consider authenticity an important factor when choosing a restaurant, underscoring the importance of cultural and culinary authenticity

Statistic 25

The global restaurant industry was valued at approximately $3.1 trillion in 2021

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The online food delivery market worldwide reached a value of $122.7 billion in 2021

Statistic 27

The average profit margin for independent restaurants is approximately 5-6%

Statistic 28

The United States has over 1 million restaurants as of 2022

Statistic 29

In 2022, fast-food restaurants comprise about 55% of all U.S. restaurant sales

Statistic 30

The number of ghost kitchens in the U.S. increased by 35% from 2019 to 2022, indicating a shift to virtual restaurant models

Statistic 31

The global pizza market was valued at $122 billion in 2022, showing stable demand worldwide

Statistic 32

The average restaurant spends about 6% of its revenue on marketing efforts, with social media being the primary channel

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The global coffee shop market was valued at approximately $102 billion in 2023, with steady growth expected

Statistic 34

The fast-casual restaurant segment accounted for approximately 35% of all U.S. restaurant sales in 2022, marking a significant growth trend

Statistic 35

Restaurant startups in the U.S. increased by 18% in 2022 compared to the previous year, signaling a vibrant entrepreneurial environment

Statistic 36

The average cost to open a mid-sized restaurant in the U.S. is around $1.5 million, including equipment, licensing, and renovations

Statistic 37

The average spending on restaurant technology in the U.S. is projected to reach $12 billion annually by 2025, focusing on efficiency and customer experience

Statistic 38

The restaurant industry’s revenue in Asia-Pacific is projected to surpass $600 billion by 2025, showing rapid growth in emerging markets

Statistic 39

Investment in restaurant cybersecurity increased by 25% in 2022 to combat rising cyber threats, with POS systems being the primary target

Statistic 40

The restaurant industry’s investment in automation and robotics reached approximately $250 million in 2022, aiming to reduce labor costs

Statistic 41

Nearly 50% of restaurant owners are considering implementing AI-driven reservation systems by 2024

Statistic 42

Food safety incidents in restaurants decreased by 15% from 2021 to 2022 due to improved hygiene protocols

Statistic 43

The percentage of restaurants establishing online reservations grew from 55% in 2021 to 70% in 2022, indicating digital transformation

Statistic 44

The use of AI chatbots for customer service in restaurants has increased by 40% in 2023, providing faster response times

Statistic 45

About 15% of full-service restaurants utilize digital ordering kiosks, showing an adoption of self-service technology

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The use of wearable technology by restaurant staff has grown by 15% in 2023 for better service management

Statistic 47

About 10% of restaurants offer fully autonomous service, mostly in high-end or experimental locations

Statistic 48

The sustainability initiatives among restaurants have increased by 25% in the last three years, with a focus on waste reduction, sourcing, and energy efficiency

Statistic 49

About 40% of restaurants are investing in environmentally sustainable packaging solutions, aiming to reduce plastic waste

Statistic 50

The restaurant industry employment in the U.S. reached approximately 14 million workers in 2022

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The average age of U.S. restaurant owners is around 45 years old, signaling a generational shift in industry leadership

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30% of restaurant operations reported labor shortages in 2022, leading to increased wages and staffing challenges

Statistic 53

The majority of restaurant workers (over 55%) prefer flexible scheduling options, emphasizing the importance of work-life balance

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The average turnover rate for restaurant employees is approximately 70% annually, leading to high recruitment costs

Statistic 55

The share of women led restaurants has increased to 30% in recent years, indicating greater gender diversity

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Key Highlights

The global restaurant industry was valued at approximately $3.1 trillion in 2021
The online food delivery market worldwide reached a value of $122.7 billion in 2021
About 60% of restaurant transactions are now made via digital channels
The average profit margin for independent restaurants is approximately 5-6%
Millennials and Gen Z make up over 40% of restaurant dining consumers
The United States has over 1 million restaurants as of 2022
In 2022, fast-food restaurants comprise about 55% of all U.S. restaurant sales
Approximately 70% of restaurant operators plan to increase their digital marketing efforts in 2023
The use of contactless payment in restaurants increased by 30% during the pandemic
The average spend per person at a restaurant in the U.S. is about $36
More than 80% of fast-food consumers order via mobile apps
The restaurant industry employment in the U.S. reached approximately 14 million workers in 2022
About 45% of restaurant sales are made during dinner hours

The restaurant industry is undergoing a dynamic transformation, with global valuations soaring to over $3.1 trillion, a rapid shift toward digital ordering and contactless payment, and innovative culinary trends driven by Millennials and Gen Z shaping a vibrant, fast-evolving landscape.

Consumer Trends and Preferences

About 60% of restaurant transactions are now made via digital channels
Millennials and Gen Z make up over 40% of restaurant dining consumers
Approximately 70% of restaurant operators plan to increase their digital marketing efforts in 2023
The use of contactless payment in restaurants increased by 30% during the pandemic
The average spend per person at a restaurant in the U.S. is about $36
More than 80% of fast-food consumers order via mobile apps
About 45% of restaurant sales are made during dinner hours
The vegan restaurant segment grew by 12% in 2022, faster than the overall restaurant industry growth
25% of consumers prefer to order from restaurants that offer vegan options
The percentage of restaurants offering alcohol has increased by 10% in the past five years
Food delivery and takeout account for approximately 40% of total sales in U.S. restaurants
The increase in chef-driven restaurants has been around 20% over the last decade, indicating a trend toward culinary specialization
65% of U.S. consumers look for nutritional information before choosing a restaurant meal
The organic food segment in restaurants has grown by 15% annually over the past five years, reflecting rising consumer demand for healthier options
In 2022, about 45% of restaurant sales were made during weekends, indicating the importance of weekend business
40% of restaurant consumers prefer dine-in over takeout or delivery, showing resilience in traditional dining preferences
The use of loyalty programs in restaurants increased by 20% in 2022, now attracting over 60% of regular customers
80% of restaurant managers believe that customer reviews significantly impact their business performance
Restaurant menu prices have increased by an average of 7% in 2022 due to inflation and supply chain disruptions
The number of plant-based menu items in restaurants increased by 25% from 2020 to 2023, reflecting ongoing dietary shifts
The percentage of restaurant consumers who check online reviews before dining increased to 85% in 2023, highlighting the importance of online reputation
The percentage of takeout orders made via third-party apps increased to 65% in 2022, representing a surge in delivery channel adoption
Nearly 50% of restaurant owners plan to expand their menu offerings in 2023 to attract new customer segments
55% of consumers consider authenticity an important factor when choosing a restaurant, underscoring the importance of cultural and culinary authenticity

Consumer Trends and Preferences Interpretation

As the restaurant industry swiftly shifts to digital favor, healthier and plant-based options flourish, and online reviews influence customer choices more than ever, restaurateurs must embrace authenticity and innovation to serve up success in a changing culinary landscape.

Industry Market Size and Value

The global restaurant industry was valued at approximately $3.1 trillion in 2021
The online food delivery market worldwide reached a value of $122.7 billion in 2021
The average profit margin for independent restaurants is approximately 5-6%
The United States has over 1 million restaurants as of 2022
In 2022, fast-food restaurants comprise about 55% of all U.S. restaurant sales
The number of ghost kitchens in the U.S. increased by 35% from 2019 to 2022, indicating a shift to virtual restaurant models
The global pizza market was valued at $122 billion in 2022, showing stable demand worldwide
The average restaurant spends about 6% of its revenue on marketing efforts, with social media being the primary channel
The global coffee shop market was valued at approximately $102 billion in 2023, with steady growth expected
The fast-casual restaurant segment accounted for approximately 35% of all U.S. restaurant sales in 2022, marking a significant growth trend
Restaurant startups in the U.S. increased by 18% in 2022 compared to the previous year, signaling a vibrant entrepreneurial environment
The average cost to open a mid-sized restaurant in the U.S. is around $1.5 million, including equipment, licensing, and renovations
The average spending on restaurant technology in the U.S. is projected to reach $12 billion annually by 2025, focusing on efficiency and customer experience
The restaurant industry’s revenue in Asia-Pacific is projected to surpass $600 billion by 2025, showing rapid growth in emerging markets
Investment in restaurant cybersecurity increased by 25% in 2022 to combat rising cyber threats, with POS systems being the primary target

Industry Market Size and Value Interpretation

With a $3.1 trillion global valuation and a booming virtual kitchen scene driven by a 35% U.S. increase in ghost kitchens, the restaurant industry exemplifies both savory growth and the need for a healthy dose of cybersecurity resilience—proving that in dining as in business, innovation and alertness go hand in hand.

Operational Technologies and Innovations

The restaurant industry’s investment in automation and robotics reached approximately $250 million in 2022, aiming to reduce labor costs
Nearly 50% of restaurant owners are considering implementing AI-driven reservation systems by 2024
Food safety incidents in restaurants decreased by 15% from 2021 to 2022 due to improved hygiene protocols
The percentage of restaurants establishing online reservations grew from 55% in 2021 to 70% in 2022, indicating digital transformation
The use of AI chatbots for customer service in restaurants has increased by 40% in 2023, providing faster response times
About 15% of full-service restaurants utilize digital ordering kiosks, showing an adoption of self-service technology
The use of wearable technology by restaurant staff has grown by 15% in 2023 for better service management
About 10% of restaurants offer fully autonomous service, mostly in high-end or experimental locations

Operational Technologies and Innovations Interpretation

As the restaurant industry cooks up a digital transformation—from $250 million invested in automation to nearly half considering AI reservations—it's clear that while hygiene and customer service are improving, the true flavor of innovation lies in blending high-tech with hospitality to serve up a future that’s both efficient and appetizing.

Sustainability and Industry Initiatives

The sustainability initiatives among restaurants have increased by 25% in the last three years, with a focus on waste reduction, sourcing, and energy efficiency
About 40% of restaurants are investing in environmentally sustainable packaging solutions, aiming to reduce plastic waste

Sustainability and Industry Initiatives Interpretation

Amid growing eco-consciousness, a quarter of restaurants are embracing sustainability—cutting waste, sourcing responsibly, and packaging smarter—proving that good appetites can go hand in hand with a healthier planet.

Workforce and Employment Dynamics

The restaurant industry employment in the U.S. reached approximately 14 million workers in 2022
The average age of U.S. restaurant owners is around 45 years old, signaling a generational shift in industry leadership
30% of restaurant operations reported labor shortages in 2022, leading to increased wages and staffing challenges
The majority of restaurant workers (over 55%) prefer flexible scheduling options, emphasizing the importance of work-life balance
The average turnover rate for restaurant employees is approximately 70% annually, leading to high recruitment costs
The share of women led restaurants has increased to 30% in recent years, indicating greater gender diversity

Workforce and Employment Dynamics Interpretation

With a dynamic workforce of 14 million largely led by 45-year-old entrepreneurs, the U.S. restaurant industry faces a not-so-appetizing blend of labor shortages, sky-high turnover, and a growing but still modest shift toward gender diversity—all underscoring the urgent need for sustainable staffing and leadership practices amidst a changing generational palate.