U.S. Restaurants Maintain Resilience Amid Inflation and Labor Pressures
Event summary
- 91% of restaurant operators rate their business health as good or excellent, unchanged from 2025.
- Inflation (27%) and hiring (22%) are the top two challenges, both rising year-over-year (+7 and +6 points).
- 87% of operators feel comfortable using AI, with nearly 9 in 10 experimenting with it.
- 43% of operators plan to increase menu prices if cost of goods rises, down 5 points from last year.
The big picture
U.S. restaurants are demonstrating resilience despite macroeconomic pressures, focusing on efficiency and guest demand to drive growth. The industry's ability to navigate inflation and labor challenges while embracing AI will be critical in maintaining profitability. The survey highlights a shift towards disciplined inventory management and optimized menus as key strategies for cost control.
What we're watching
- Inflation Impact
- How rising inflation will affect restaurant profitability and pricing strategies.
- Labor Challenges
- Whether restaurants can sustain growth amid ongoing hiring difficulties.
- AI Adoption
- The pace at which AI tools will become mainstream in restaurant operations.
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