GITNUXREPORT 2025

Upskilling And Reskilling In The Restaurant Industry Statistics

Upskilling boosts customer satisfaction, retention, efficiency, and future growth.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

Nearly 70% of restaurant employees who received additional training report higher job satisfaction

Statistic 2

49% of restaurant staff who participated in upskilling reported increased loyalty to their employer

Statistic 3

The average investment per restaurant in training programs increased from $2,000 to $3,500 during 2022-2023

Statistic 4

The use of virtual reality (VR) for staff training in restaurants grew by 150% in 2023

Statistic 5

The use of AI-powered training tools in restaurants increased by 120% in 2023, enhancing personalized learning experiences

Statistic 6

The adoption of mobile learning (m-learning) for restaurant staff training increased by 150% in 2023

Statistic 7

65% of restaurant businesses plan to introduce augmented reality (AR) for training purposes within the next two years

Statistic 8

54% of restaurant chains are now utilizing data-driven training modules to customize staff education programs

Statistic 9

67% of restaurant operators believe that upskilling staff directly correlates with improved customer satisfaction

Statistic 10

The global upskilling market for the restaurant industry is projected to reach $1.2 billion by 2025

Statistic 11

45% of restaurant employees have received formal upskilling training in the past year

Statistic 12

Reskilling initiatives have led to a 30% reduction in staff turnover rates in the restaurant sector

Statistic 13

80% of restaurant managers consider ongoing training essential for adapting to technological changes

Statistic 14

Investment in staff upskilling has increased by 25% among restaurant chains in North America over the past two years

Statistic 15

Digital skills training for restaurant staff saw a 40% increase in uptake during 2022-2023

Statistic 16

52% of restaurant owners rate upskilling as their top strategy to deal with labor shortages

Statistic 17

60% of restaurant employees feel more engaged after participating in upskilling programs

Statistic 18

Reskilling efforts have improved service speed by up to 20% in several restaurant chains

Statistic 19

35% of fine dining establishments have implemented formal upskilling programs for their staff

Statistic 20

48% of restaurant employees believe that upskilling opportunities influence their decision to stay with their current employer

Statistic 21

55% of restaurant owners plan to expand upskilling initiatives in the coming year

Statistic 22

78% of restaurant chains believe that skills development contributes to better management of food safety compliance

Statistic 23

Reskilling programs focusing on sustainability practices increased by 60% in 2023, driven by consumer demand for eco-friendly restaurants

Statistic 24

62% of restaurant employees want more digital literacy training, including POS systems and online ordering platforms

Statistic 25

Investment in soft skills training (communication, teamwork) in restaurants rose by 35% in 2023

Statistic 26

40% of restaurant owners report that upskilling programs have helped reduce employee burnout

Statistic 27

The number of online upskilling courses for restaurant staff increased by 200% during the pandemic recovery period

Statistic 28

44% of restaurant managers see upskilling as a way to increase operational efficiency

Statistic 29

50% of fast-food chains have integrated e-learning platforms for employee training by 2023

Statistic 30

71% of restaurant staff report feeling more confident in their roles after completing upskilling programs

Statistic 31

63% of restaurant owners believe reskilling initiatives help in adapting to menu innovation

Statistic 32

58% of restaurant teams in urban areas have undergone digital upskilling, compared to 42% in rural areas

Statistic 33

65% of restaurants plan to give their staff training on emerging technologies like AI and automation in 2023

Statistic 34

80% of restaurant employees see internal upskilling opportunities as a key factor for long-term employment

Statistic 35

33% of small independent restaurants have adopted formal reskilling programs during 2023, up from 15% in 2021

Statistic 36

Reskilling programs produced a 25% reduction in onboarding time for new restaurant staff

Statistic 37

70% of restaurant chains see upskilling and reskilling as essential to maintaining competitive advantage

Statistic 38

45% of restaurant workers indicate that skills development opportunities influence their decision to seek employment

Statistic 39

75% of restaurant management believe that ongoing upskilling improves employee performance

Statistic 40

41% of restaurant operators are investing in sustainability and eco-friendly practices through staff training programs

Statistic 41

38% of restaurant employees have benefited from cross-training programs that allow them to perform multiple roles

Statistic 42

55% of restaurant managers plan to invest more in technological tools to support upskilling in 2024

Statistic 43

42% of restaurant employees feel that upskilling opportunities should be a contractual requirement for retention

Statistic 44

66% of restaurant executives prioritize data analytics training as part of their upskilling initiatives

Statistic 45

53% of restaurants investing in upskilling report better compliance with health and safety standards

Statistic 46

70% of restaurant staff who participate in continuous training programs feel more prepared for career advancement

Statistic 47

The training duration for restaurant staff increased by an average of 20 hours per employee from 2022 to 2023

Statistic 48

83% of restaurant operators recognize the importance of upskilling for sustainability and environmental practices

Statistic 49

27% of restaurant employees have undergone simulation-based training, which improved skill retention rates

Statistic 50

58% of restaurant management believe that reskilling contributes to faster adaptation to market trends

Statistic 51

49% of independent restaurants have increased their budgets for staff upskilling in 2023, compared to previous years

Statistic 52

The use of gamification in restaurant staff training grew by 60% in 2023, enhancing engagement and learning outcomes

Statistic 53

75% of restaurant owners see digital upskilling as critical for future growth

Statistic 54

62% of restaurant employees would participate in more upskilling if incentives were provided

Statistic 55

44% of restaurant operators have implemented peer-to-peer learning programs, which increased knowledge sharing

Statistic 56

47% of restaurant staff believe that upskilling helps them handle customer complaints more effectively

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Key Highlights

  • 67% of restaurant operators believe that upskilling staff directly correlates with improved customer satisfaction
  • The global upskilling market for the restaurant industry is projected to reach $1.2 billion by 2025
  • 45% of restaurant employees have received formal upskilling training in the past year
  • Reskilling initiatives have led to a 30% reduction in staff turnover rates in the restaurant sector
  • 80% of restaurant managers consider ongoing training essential for adapting to technological changes
  • Investment in staff upskilling has increased by 25% among restaurant chains in North America over the past two years
  • Digital skills training for restaurant staff saw a 40% increase in uptake during 2022-2023
  • 52% of restaurant owners rate upskilling as their top strategy to deal with labor shortages
  • 60% of restaurant employees feel more engaged after participating in upskilling programs
  • Nearly 70% of restaurant employees who received additional training report higher job satisfaction
  • Reskilling efforts have improved service speed by up to 20% in several restaurant chains
  • 35% of fine dining establishments have implemented formal upskilling programs for their staff
  • 48% of restaurant employees believe that upskilling opportunities influence their decision to stay with their current employer

As the restaurant industry faces escalating customer expectations and technological disruptions, upskilling and reskilling initiatives are proving to be vital drivers of enhanced service quality, employee retention, and operational efficiency, with industry statistics showing a soaring investment and adoption that could reach $1.2 billion by 2025.

Employee Engagement and Satisfaction

  • Nearly 70% of restaurant employees who received additional training report higher job satisfaction
  • 49% of restaurant staff who participated in upskilling reported increased loyalty to their employer

Employee Engagement and Satisfaction Interpretation

With nearly 70% of restaurant workers feeling more satisfied and almost half showing increased loyalty after training, it’s clear that investing in skills isn't just good for business — it's the secret recipe for a happier, more dedicated workforce.

Financial Investment and Business Impact

  • The average investment per restaurant in training programs increased from $2,000 to $3,500 during 2022-2023

Financial Investment and Business Impact Interpretation

The rise in average training investment from $2,000 to $3,500 per restaurant signals that the industry is finally realizing that raising the skill level of staff isn't just good for morale—it's good for business.

Technology-Driven Training Methods and Tools

  • The use of virtual reality (VR) for staff training in restaurants grew by 150% in 2023
  • The use of AI-powered training tools in restaurants increased by 120% in 2023, enhancing personalized learning experiences
  • The adoption of mobile learning (m-learning) for restaurant staff training increased by 150% in 2023
  • 65% of restaurant businesses plan to introduce augmented reality (AR) for training purposes within the next two years
  • 54% of restaurant chains are now utilizing data-driven training modules to customize staff education programs

Technology-Driven Training Methods and Tools Interpretation

As the restaurant industry increasingly cooks up immersive and personalized training solutions with a 150% surge in VR and m-learning, while over half plan to serve up AR experiences soon, it's clear that AI and data-driven tools are spicing up staff education—proving that in the race for the best service, tech is the new secret ingredient.

Workforce Development and Upskilling Initiatives

  • 67% of restaurant operators believe that upskilling staff directly correlates with improved customer satisfaction
  • The global upskilling market for the restaurant industry is projected to reach $1.2 billion by 2025
  • 45% of restaurant employees have received formal upskilling training in the past year
  • Reskilling initiatives have led to a 30% reduction in staff turnover rates in the restaurant sector
  • 80% of restaurant managers consider ongoing training essential for adapting to technological changes
  • Investment in staff upskilling has increased by 25% among restaurant chains in North America over the past two years
  • Digital skills training for restaurant staff saw a 40% increase in uptake during 2022-2023
  • 52% of restaurant owners rate upskilling as their top strategy to deal with labor shortages
  • 60% of restaurant employees feel more engaged after participating in upskilling programs
  • Reskilling efforts have improved service speed by up to 20% in several restaurant chains
  • 35% of fine dining establishments have implemented formal upskilling programs for their staff
  • 48% of restaurant employees believe that upskilling opportunities influence their decision to stay with their current employer
  • 55% of restaurant owners plan to expand upskilling initiatives in the coming year
  • 78% of restaurant chains believe that skills development contributes to better management of food safety compliance
  • Reskilling programs focusing on sustainability practices increased by 60% in 2023, driven by consumer demand for eco-friendly restaurants
  • 62% of restaurant employees want more digital literacy training, including POS systems and online ordering platforms
  • Investment in soft skills training (communication, teamwork) in restaurants rose by 35% in 2023
  • 40% of restaurant owners report that upskilling programs have helped reduce employee burnout
  • The number of online upskilling courses for restaurant staff increased by 200% during the pandemic recovery period
  • 44% of restaurant managers see upskilling as a way to increase operational efficiency
  • 50% of fast-food chains have integrated e-learning platforms for employee training by 2023
  • 71% of restaurant staff report feeling more confident in their roles after completing upskilling programs
  • 63% of restaurant owners believe reskilling initiatives help in adapting to menu innovation
  • 58% of restaurant teams in urban areas have undergone digital upskilling, compared to 42% in rural areas
  • 65% of restaurants plan to give their staff training on emerging technologies like AI and automation in 2023
  • 80% of restaurant employees see internal upskilling opportunities as a key factor for long-term employment
  • 33% of small independent restaurants have adopted formal reskilling programs during 2023, up from 15% in 2021
  • Reskilling programs produced a 25% reduction in onboarding time for new restaurant staff
  • 70% of restaurant chains see upskilling and reskilling as essential to maintaining competitive advantage
  • 45% of restaurant workers indicate that skills development opportunities influence their decision to seek employment
  • 75% of restaurant management believe that ongoing upskilling improves employee performance
  • 41% of restaurant operators are investing in sustainability and eco-friendly practices through staff training programs
  • 38% of restaurant employees have benefited from cross-training programs that allow them to perform multiple roles
  • 55% of restaurant managers plan to invest more in technological tools to support upskilling in 2024
  • 42% of restaurant employees feel that upskilling opportunities should be a contractual requirement for retention
  • 66% of restaurant executives prioritize data analytics training as part of their upskilling initiatives
  • 53% of restaurants investing in upskilling report better compliance with health and safety standards
  • 70% of restaurant staff who participate in continuous training programs feel more prepared for career advancement
  • The training duration for restaurant staff increased by an average of 20 hours per employee from 2022 to 2023
  • 83% of restaurant operators recognize the importance of upskilling for sustainability and environmental practices
  • 27% of restaurant employees have undergone simulation-based training, which improved skill retention rates
  • 58% of restaurant management believe that reskilling contributes to faster adaptation to market trends
  • 49% of independent restaurants have increased their budgets for staff upskilling in 2023, compared to previous years
  • The use of gamification in restaurant staff training grew by 60% in 2023, enhancing engagement and learning outcomes
  • 75% of restaurant owners see digital upskilling as critical for future growth
  • 62% of restaurant employees would participate in more upskilling if incentives were provided
  • 44% of restaurant operators have implemented peer-to-peer learning programs, which increased knowledge sharing
  • 47% of restaurant staff believe that upskilling helps them handle customer complaints more effectively

Workforce Development and Upskilling Initiatives Interpretation

With 67% of restaurant operators linking staff upskilling to heightened customer satisfaction and a booming $1.2 billion global market, it's clear that investing in the right skills—not just the right recipes—serves up a more committed team, happier guests, and a healthier bottom line, even as digital literacy and sustainability become the new spice blends in the industry’s recipe for success.

Sources & References