The Romanian restaurant industry reached a market value of 7.2 billion euros in 2023. Nearly two-thirds of Romanians now dine out at least once a month, spending an average of 85 lei per visit.
Key Takeaways
- Average consumer spending per visit to restaurants was 85 RON in 2023.
- 62% of Romanians dine out at least once a month in 2023.
- Online ordering accounts for 35% of total restaurant transactions.
- Restaurant employment in Romania totaled 280,000 full-time equivalents in 2023.
- Average monthly wage in restaurants was 3,800 RON in 2023, up 18% YoY.
- 45% of restaurant staff are under 30 years old in 2023.
- EBITDA margins averaged 14.2% for mid-sized restaurants in 2023.
- Food cost percentage: 32% of revenue in full-service restaurants.
- Labor costs represent 38% of total operating expenses.
- In 2023, the Romanian restaurant industry reached a market value of approximately 7.2 billion EUR, marking a 12% year-over-year growth driven by post-pandemic recovery.
- The HoReCa sector in Romania contributed 4.8% to the national GDP in 2022, with restaurants accounting for 65% of the total sector value.
- Romania's full-service restaurants segment grew by 15.3% in revenue from 2021 to 2022, reaching 3.1 billion EUR.
- Total number of restaurants in Romania reached 36,200 in 2023, up 7% from 2022.
- International chains like McDonald's operate 92 outlets in Romania as of 2023.
- KFC has 78 restaurants in Romania, with 15 new openings in 2023.
In 2023, Romanians ate out more often, spending 85 RON per visit as online and loyalty drove growth.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumer Spending19 stats
01
Average consumer spending per visit to restaurants was 85 RON in 2023.
02
62% of Romanians dine out at least once a month in 2023.
03
Online ordering accounts for 35% of total restaurant transactions.
04
Average bill for family dining: 250 RON, up 10% from 2022.
05
48% prefer casual dining, spending 70 RON average per person.
06
Lunch deals under 30 RON attract 55% of office workers.
07
Wine consumption at restaurants: 15 liters per 100 visits in 2023.
08
72% of diners use loyalty apps, saving average 12% on bills.
09
Vegetarian meals chosen by 28% of customers, up from 18% in 2021.
10
Weekend dining spend: 120 RON per person vs 65 RON weekdays.
11
Delivery fees average 8 RON, deterring 22% of potential orders.
12
Craft beer sales per restaurant: 450 liters monthly average.
13
Group dining (4+ people): 40% of revenue, average 400 RON.
14
55% of spending on food vs 45% on beverages in 2023.
15
Fast-food spend per capita: 210 RON annually in urban Romania.
16
Health-conscious options boost spend by 20% among millennials.
17
Tourism drives 32% of restaurant revenue in peak summer months.
18
Sustainability-labeled menus increase tips by 15% on average.
19
Reservation apps used by 41% , reducing no-shows by 25%.
Interpretation
Consumer Spending Interpretation
While Romanians are dining out more often, with nearly two-thirds doing so monthly, they are navigating a landscape of rising costs and varied habits—from the 85 RON casual outing to the 250 RON family feast—by increasingly using apps for loyalty, reservations, and online orders, all while showing a growing appetite for everything from vegetarian meals to craft beer.
02 · Category
Employment and Labor17 stats
01
Restaurant employment in Romania totaled 280,000 full-time equivalents in 2023.
02
Average monthly wage in restaurants was 3,800 RON in 2023, up 18% YoY.
03
45% of restaurant staff are under 30 years old in 2023.
04
Female workers represent 52% of the restaurant workforce.
05
Labor shortage affected 68% of restaurants, with 25,000 vacancies.
06
Turnover rate in restaurants averaged 32% annually in 2022.
07
Chefs and cooks: 85,000 employed, 12% growth since 2021.
08
Waitstaff numbers: 110,000, with seasonal peaks at 140,000.
09
Training programs reached 15,000 workers via HoReCa funds in 2023.
10
Part-time employment: 22% of total restaurant jobs in urban areas.
11
Unemployment in HoReCa dropped to 2.1% in 2023 from 5.4% in 2021.
12
Foreign workers: 8,500 in restaurants, mostly from Nepal and Philippines.
13
Average workweek: 42 hours for 65% of restaurant employees.
14
Union membership: only 4% in the restaurant sector in 2022.
15
Digital skills training for 12% of staff improved efficiency by 15%.
16
Managers and owners: 45,000 positions, 7% female-led.
17
Overtime hours averaged 8 per month per employee in peak season.
Interpretation
Employment and Labor Interpretation
The Romanian restaurant scene is a booming paradox: it's a youthful, female-majority workforce getting better pay and training than ever, yet it's so hungry for staff that it's running itself ragged trying to keep the tables full.
03 · Category
Financial Performance21 stats
01
EBITDA margins averaged 14.2% for mid-sized restaurants in 2023.
02
Food cost percentage: 32% of revenue in full-service restaurants.
03
Labor costs represent 38% of total operating expenses.
04
Average profit margin: 8.5% post-tax for independents.
05
Rent expenses: 10-12% of revenue in Bucharest prime locations.
06
Energy costs rose 45% YoY to 7% of expenses in 2023.
07
Inventory turnover ratio: 12 times per year average.
08
Debt-to-equity ratio: 0.65 for restaurant chains.
09
ROI on kitchen equipment: 18 months payback period.
10
Online sales margin: 22% vs 16% dine-in after fees.
11
Break-even occupancy: 55% for casual restaurants.
12
Tax burden: 19% VAT plus 16% income on profits.
13
Cash flow positive for 76% of restaurants post-2022.
14
Franchise fees: 6% of sales for international brands.
15
Marketing spend: 3.5% of revenue, digital 70% of budget.
16
Insurance costs: 1.2% of turnover annually.
17
Projected revenue growth: 10.5% in 2024 for chains.
18
Net promoter score average: 72 for top performers.
19
Customer acquisition cost: 45 RON via social media.
20
65% of restaurants use POS systems, boosting efficiency 20%.
21
Loyalty program ROI: 4:1 return on investment.
Interpretation
Financial Performance Interpretation
It's a business of razor-thin slices where a chef’s masterpiece must survive a gauntlet of taxes, soaring energy bills, and the landlord's bite before it can even hope to become a modest 8.5% profit.
More related reading
04 · Category
Market Size and Growth15 stats
01
In 2023, the Romanian restaurant industry reached a market value of approximately 7.2 billion EUR, marking a 12% year-over-year growth driven by post-pandemic recovery.
02
The HoReCa sector in Romania contributed 4.8% to the national GDP in 2022, with restaurants accounting for 65% of the total sector value.
03
Romania's full-service restaurants segment grew by 15.3% in revenue from 2021 to 2022, reaching 3.1 billion EUR.
04
Limited-service restaurants in Romania saw a 18% increase in outlets, totaling 12,500 in 2023.
05
The average annual growth rate (CAGR) for Romania's restaurant market from 2018-2023 was 8.7%.
06
In 2022, Bucharest hosted 28% of all Romanian restaurants, with over 8,000 establishments.
07
Romania's restaurant industry recovered to 95% of pre-pandemic levels by Q4 2023.
08
The street food and quick-service segment expanded by 22% in market share to 25% in 2023.
09
Total HoReCa turnover in Romania hit 12.5 billion EUR in 2023, with restaurants at 58%.
10
Romania ranks 12th in Eastern Europe for restaurant market size per capita at 380 EUR in 2022.
11
Fine dining restaurants grew 9% in number to 450 nationwide in 2023.
12
Casual dining outlets represent 42% of the market with 15,200 locations in 2023.
13
Projected market size for 2024 is 8.1 billion EUR, CAGR 11.2% through 2028.
14
Vegan and plant-based menu options increased by 35% across restaurants in 2023.
15
Online delivery platforms captured 28% of restaurant sales in urban areas in 2023.
Interpretation
Market Size and Growth Interpretation
Romanian dining has erupted from pandemic hibernation like a starved bear in a honey factory, with its 7.2-billion-euro market clawing back to 95% of pre-crisis levels as street food and delivery platforms fatten their share, proving the national appetite is as robust as the 12% yearly growth and 4.8% GDP contribution would suggest.
05 · Category
Number of Establishments15 stats
01
Total number of restaurants in Romania reached 36,200 in 2023, up 7% from 2022.
02
International chains like McDonald's operate 92 outlets in Romania as of 2023.
03
KFC has 78 restaurants in Romania, with 15 new openings in 2023.
04
Burger King expanded to 45 locations, focusing on Bucharest and Cluj.
05
Local chain Hanu' Berarilor has 22 outlets across 12 cities in 2023.
06
Independent restaurants comprise 72% of total establishments at 26,000+.
07
Timisoara has 2,100 restaurants, second after Bucharest's 10,200.
08
New restaurant registrations surged 14% to 4,500 in 2023.
09
Pizza Hut operates 56 dine-in and delivery points in Romania.
10
Subway has 120 stores, mostly franchised, as of end-2023.
11
Number of cafes and bars integrated with restaurants: 9,800 in 2022.
12
Cluj-Napoca saw 12% growth in restaurants to 1,800 outlets in 2023.
13
Domino's Pizza entered with 10 stores, planning 30 by 2025.
14
Total pizzerias: 4,200, representing 11.6% of all restaurants.
15
Michelin-recognized spots: 2 restaurants in Romania in 2023.
Interpretation
Number of Establishments Interpretation
Romanian dining has democratically elected to overwhelmingly support local, independent flavors, as evidenced by the 26,000 homegrown establishments thriving amid the methodical march of international chains.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Thomas Lindqvist. (2026, February 13). Romania Restaurant Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/romania-restaurant-industry-statistics
MLA
Thomas Lindqvist. "Romania Restaurant Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/romania-restaurant-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Thomas Lindqvist. 2026. "Romania Restaurant Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/romania-restaurant-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
59 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level