The restaurant industry is gearing up for a major growth year in 2025, with sales projected to reach $1.5 trillion and employment expected to rise to 15.9 million workers, according to the National Restaurant Association’s latest State of the Restaurant Industry report.
Despite ongoing challenges, restaurant operators are cautiously optimistic about the future. Over 80% of them believe their 2025 sales will match or exceed 2024 numbers, even as they brace for heightened competition and rising operational costs.
Employment Growth Continues
The industry is on track to add 200,000 new jobs in 2025, reinforcing its role as the nation’s second-largest private-sector employer. Restaurants remain a key source of opportunity across the economy, from quickservice to fine dining.
Diners Want In-Person Experiences
Consumer appetite for dining out is strong. Most say they would eat out more often if finances allowed. That demand spans every type of establishment—from tableservice and fast casual to coffee shops and delivery services. The report notes that 90% of fine dining operators and 87% of casual dining operators see increased on-site traffic as crucial to their success in 2025.
Value Is About More Than Price
Consumers are redefining “value” as a blend of price, hospitality, and experience. Creating a welcoming environment—complete with friendly staff and unique events like chef-hosted dinners and cooking classes—will be critical to keeping guests coming back. Loyalty programs are also gaining traction, with many diners citing rewards as a deciding factor in where they eat.
Takeout and Delivery Remain Essential
While restaurants double down on in-person service, off-premises dining remains vital—especially for younger generations. Delivery and takeout are now essential components of restaurant revenue, with more than half of operators reporting higher off-premises sales than in 2019.
Familiar Challenges Persist
Even with positive momentum, operators remain concerned about rising labor and food costs, as well as recruiting and retaining staff—challenges that carry over from 2024. But the outlook remains upbeat.
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