The 2026 American State of Restaurants Report
Explore the top challenges and opportunities as well as the latest restaurant trends that American full service restaurant operators are experiencing today.
“Unpredictable” is the new normal
From tariffs reshaping ingredient costs overnight to rising labor costs, today’s operators are navigating their most complex operating environment yet. We partnered with Maru/Matchbox to survey more than 600 independent full service operators to reveal the state of the restaurant industry in the U.S. – highlighting the challenges, restaurant trends, and strategies shaping how operators move forward into 2026.
Want the full North American picture? See how restaurant operators in Canada are responding to similar challenges in the 2026 Canadian State of Restaurants Report.
Profit Margins Return to Double Digits
Profit margins climbed to 10.5%, marking a return to double-digit territory for the first time since 2022 – making this one of the most significant restaurant trends of the year. This recovery didn’t happen by chance. Discover the strategic moves operators made to stage their comeback and explore what restaurant trends are driving improved restaurant profitability.
Labor Costs Surge Amid Rising Wage Pressures
Rising labor costs is one of the biggest restaurant trends right now, driven by multiple factors: rising minimum wages, competitive pressure for talent, and evolving worker expectations around compensation. Discover what strategies operators are using to control costs while improving restaurant staff retention in 2026.
Menu Price Increases Back on the Rise
Unexpected tariffs pushed operators to reintroduce menu price increases after a year of restraint to offset rising food costs. But with cost-conscious diners pushing back, is this restaurant pricing strategy sustainable long-term?
The Online Ordering Landscape Is Shifting
Off-premise dining proved remarkably resilient in 2025, with 81% of operators seeing takeout and delivery sales increase. As operators tested multiple online ordering platforms to find what works best, the landscape shifted dramatically. Learn what factors operators prioritize when choosing an online ordering solution and how they’re overcoming restaurant delivery management challenges to maintain quality and profitability.
Online Presence Becomes Non-Negotiable for Operators
Diners now “scroll” for their next meal before leaving home, making digital presence non-negotiable for restaurant marketing. Operators are prioritizing websites and restaurant social media marketing to become more discoverable online. While Facebook remains the most popular social media platform, uncover how operators are approaching other social media channels today.
Faster Service Tops Automation Benefits
Restaurant technology that handles repetitive tasks continues accelerating as one of the top restaurant industry trends. And operators are clear on why automating tasks are gaining traction, with more than half (52%) reporting faster service. Explore how operators plan to expand automating operations and leverage advancements like AI and restaurant management software to drive efficiency and growth in 2026.
Download the 2026 State of Restaurants Report
For a complete picture of the state of the restaurant industry, download the 2026 American State of Restaurants Report for free today and uncover the restaurant trends shaping 2026.
"Food costs became a challenge for us as our cost of sales percentage started to climb. By reworking our inventory setup and introducing clearer documentation, we were able to reduce discrepancies and regain control. Those changes have helped improve performance and even boosted morale across the team."
Skyla
Pomona Valley Mining Co. , California
"With fluctuating demand throughout the year, keeping operations running smoothly has been a challenge. We’re introducing a new inventory system to improve the overall flow of the restaurant and gain better visibility into what we’re using, helping us operate more efficiently across both busy and slower seasons."
Anesa
Rivers Bend Family Resort , Missouri
"Positioning brunch as a destination and launching a pop-up street bar were two strategies that performed especially well for us last year. The street bar generated high-volume beverage sales with minimal overhead, while brunch, paired with live music, attracted new guests and encouraged repeat visits during regular business hours."
Rachel
Back Porch Pizza , Florida
Methodology
We partnered with research firm Maru/Matchbox again this year to survey more than 600 full service restaurant owners, presidents, and area/general managers across all 50 states, with an added focus on eight key cities: New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, Miami, and Tampa. Our research was conducted from October 2 to October 25, 2025. The statistically significant survey results are accurate 19 times out of 20.
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