Gourmet Restaurant Industry Statistics for 2024

Most people enjoy going out for a meal with friends and family. However, the frequency with which they do so, the amount of money they spend, and their overall preferences are constantly changing. For its part, the restaurant industry is continually working to respond to this changing landscape.

Key Restaurant Industry Statistics for 2024 - Editor’s Choice

• Digital ordering and delivery grew 300% faster than dine-in traffic since 2014.
• 94% of diners say online reviews significantly influence their dining selections.
• The restaurant industry sales have passed the $1 trillion mark in 2024.
• Offering a variety of payment options can increase an order size by 14%.
• 62% of diners prefer restaurants with locally-sourced ingredients. 
• 80% of consumers visit restaurants to experience flavors they cannot make at home.

There’s more to the state of the restaurant industry than mere sales figures. Knowing what factors to pay attention to can give you that much-needed edge over the competition. Of course, competition in the restaurant industry is famously fierce, which is why we’ve compiled a few key facts to help you get the whole picture.

94% of diners look at online reviews, and the majority find them helpful when picking a restaurant.

(TripAdvisor)

Reviews make all the difference. The vast majority of diners say they look at online reviews before deciding where they’re going to eat. This is one reason why online marketing in the restaurant industry is increasingly focused on improving or maintaining customer ratings. 

The addition of a half-star in rating can have a significant revenue impact. 

(PYMNTS.com)

Online reviews influence the number of guests an establishment receives and how much they spend. A PYMNTS.com study found that improving a restaurant’s rating by half a star resulted in a revenue increase between 5% and 9%. 

Online ordering and delivery grew 300% faster than dine-in traffic in recent years.

(QSR Magazine)

In order to overcome obstacles hindering restaurant industry growth, brands are increasingly focused on digital ordering tools. That’s because digital delivery services have seen the most significant growth rates since 2014. And although this trend emerged before the coronavirus pandemic, there’s little doubt that restrictions on in-person dining accelerated things.

The US saw a staggering 123% increase in digital restaurant food delivery from 2019 to 2023.

(Statista)

The United States leads the world in this regard, but is closesly followed by Russia with 117%, and Canada with 113%.

There are more than 173 million food delivery app users in the US in 2024.

(eMarketer)

The food delivery app system is expected to see significant even more growth in the coming years. 

72% of diners put taste above everything else.

(Toast)

Consumers value the quality of food above everything else. While other factors are important, 72% of diners say they pick restaurants based on the taste and flavor of the food.

For 48% of millennials, the top priority is value.

(SWSN)

While many people focus on the quality of the food, others are more interested in the value of the meal. A survey involving 2,000 millennials reveals that the top priority is the cost for nearly half the respondents. 46% said the most crucial factor is having a meal full of nutrients, and 40% wanted a meal with no artificial additives.

Sales can increase by up to 14% if the restaurant offers a range of payment options.

(LunchBox)

Consumers like to have options when it comes to paying for their food. Studies show that offering a variety of payment options can lead to bigger bills. Usage of technology in the restaurant industry is being fuelled by modern solutions like POS systems and the variety of payment options.

For instance, accepting payments from wearables, self-service kiosks, and apps can help drive revenue.

32% of people are eating healthier today than they did before 2020.

(International Food Information Council)

The pandemic prompted a lot of people to spend more time thinking about their health and how to improve it. And this has influenced what we eat and may influence what restaurants serve.

56% of diners have consumer privacy concerns. 

(Technomic)

Restaurants are increasingly asking for more data from their customers, which they can use to improve their services and ultimately provide a better experience. However, more than half the consumers are worried about how restaurants are using this information and how their data is being stored.

90% of diners conduct online research before choosing a restaurant.  

(Upserve)

The majority of diners research a restaurant before they visit. 90% of consumers say they look up the restaurant's reviews, menu, and contact information before deciding whether to dine there. This trend is more prevalent in the restaurant sector than in any other industry. 

Restaurant operators report an uptick in sales with an RPI of 100.4.

(National Restaurant Association)

The National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Performance Index or RPI helps track the overall health of the industry in the US. In short, it provides a valuable restaurant industry overview.

The RPI rose by 1.2% between September and October of 2024, and there is growing optimism among restaurant operators about the existing business conditions.

80% of consumers want inventive dishes when they visit a restaurant.

(National Restaurant Association)

People dine out for different reasons. Some are marking an occasion, and others are looking to avoid the inconvenience of preparing a meal at home. Another motivating factor for dining out is the desire to experience flavors that people cannot replicate at home. Eight out of ten people say that interesting, inventive, and complex dishes are the main reason they visit a restaurant. 

62% of consumers want locally-sourced dishes.

(National Restaurant Association)

People are increasingly focused on both the food they’re eating and where it’s coming from. A study conducted by the National Restaurant Association found that 62% of diners would choose a restaurant with locally-sourced ingredients over one that uses ingredients from other places. 

The two primary reasons for this preference are that locally-sourced ingredients are better for the environment and that their consumption helps support local producers and farmers. 

More than 70% of consumers are likely to order food from a restaurant that engages people on social media. 

(MGH)

Social media platforms can be instrumental in helping restaurants promote their business. A recent study found that 74% of people were more likely to visit an establishment if they followed and engaged with that business on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. 

Another study found that some 70% of people would be more likely to recommend a business to a friend if the restaurant responded quickly to their inquiries on social media. 

The restaurant industry’s operating profits are projected to reach $1.1 trillion by the end of 2024.

(National Restaurant Organization)

The industry has reached this number for the first time in history, and is set to add another 200,000 employees by year's end.

App bonuses lead to an increase in sales.

(PYMNTS.com)

An analysis of the best-performing restaurants found that they offer a loyalty bonus, an advance-ordering system, or a combination of the two. Both of these features helped increase sales and enhance customer loyalty. 

33% of diners will avoid a restaurant that has a rating below four stars on review sites like Tripadvisor.

(ReviewTrackers.com)

These figures further underscore the power of online reviews in making or breaking a restaurant. People picking a restaurant pay close attention to review sites such as Google and Yelp. In fact, a one-star increase in a restaurant’s rating on Yelp can drive up revenue by 9%. 

52% of restaurants say rising costs pose the biggest challenge.

(Toast)

There’s no shortage of challenges facing restaurant owners and operators. But according to 52% of restaurant professionals, the number one challenge to overcome is the increasingly high operating and food costs.

More than 70% of chefs say CBD-infused food and drinks are the leading trends.

(NetWaiter)

Restaurant industry trends are constantly changing. According to surveyed chefs, the latest trend worth paying attention to is CBD-infused food and drinks. 75% of the chefs agree that CBD drinks are the biggest trend.

34% of consumers spend up to $50 when ordering food online.

(Statista)

Most consumers don’t go above $50 when ordering food online. They’re more likely to reach that amount if there’s a promotion that offers free delivery for high-value orders. Meanwhile, only 14% of the orders go up to $100 and just 6% order up to $300. 

68% of consumers order food deliveries.

(Deloitte)

More than two thirds of respondents to a survey conducted by Deloitte said they ordered food deliveries online at least once a month. 52% said they ordered takeout food at least once a month. 

60% of guests will return to a restaurant after one good experience.

(Deloitte)

A positive first experience can be rewarding for the operator. 60% of the people who took part in a recent study said they would eat at an establishment more frequently following a positive experience, while 39% said they would spend more money on subsequent visits. 

10% of guests shared their dining experience on social media.

(Deloitte)

People who have a negative experience at a restaurant are likely to tell others about it. Some want to tell everyone they know by sharing details of their experience on social media platforms. That means 10% of the restaurant’s daily online traffic can either praise or bash the establishment. 

79% of guests will return to a restaurant if a problem is resolved.

(Deloitte)

Resolving service failures is sure to bring back customers. Nearly 80% of respondents who experienced an issue that was resolved said they would return to the establishment in the future. 

Millennials are more likely to visit restaurants that have good social ethics.

(Insider)

Millennials are more likely to respond to creative social media marketing than other demographics. They’re also more likely to frequent a restaurant that shows progressive values (such as paying staff a livable wage), even if it means paying more money for their meal.

Millennials also link their choice of restaurant to their identity. Nearly a quarter say that the restaurant where they dine reflects their personality and values. 

60% of consumers want promotions and discounts.

(National Restaurant Association)

Consumers who place an order online are more likely to visit that restaurant in person. More than 60% of diners say that promotions, discounts, and other forms of loyalty rewards are important. Nearly 45% of millennials say they would pay to be in a restaurant’s loyalty program if it offered advantages such as line-jumping and discounts.