Industry Insights

STATE OF THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY
WRA provides accurate, up-to-date information on topics specific to the foodservice industry. WRA members conveniently receive up-to-the-minute news via emails, alerts, e-Newsletters and printed materials as a benefit of membership.

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The Restaurant Industry in Wisconsin

INDEPENDENT SPIRIT
Most restaurants are independently owned small businesses owned and operated by hardworking individuals and families who have a passion for providing good food and warm hospitality.  

TIGHT MARGINS
Restaurant operators face many hurdles including extremely narrow margins, unpredictable food costs and being a highly labor-intensive industry.
 
PROVIDING JOBS AND OPPORTUNITY
​Restaurants are a driving force in Wisconsin’s economy. They provide jobs and build careers for thousands of people.  The restaurant industry is one of the largest private industry employers in Wisconsin and ranks among the fastest growing industries in the state.

THE CORNERSTONES OF COMMUNITIES
​Restaurants are an important part of their communities, typically giving of their time and resources as leaders and supporters of a variety of causes to make a positive difference.

BASIC STATS 

• Estimated sales in Wisconsin for 2018: $10.1 billion
• Number of eating and drinking place locations in Wisconsin in 2018: 12,796
• Number of restaurant and foodservice jobs in Wisconsin in 2019: 284,600
• The number of jobs in the foodservice industry in Wisconsin projected for 2029:  314,400  (a total of growth rate of 10.5% equaling 28,000 additional jobs )

Statistics provided by the National Restaurant Association
For national restaurant industry stats, visit restaurant.org/News-Research/Research

“Being a member gives me the comfort of knowing that WRA resources are available on almost every issue, problem or concern that I may face as a restaurant owner.”

– DAVID FLANNERY, OWNER APPLE HOLLER RESTAURANT, STURTEVANT​

What's Hot? Culinary Forecast

MENU TRENDS 2020
The National Restaurant Association’s annual What’s Hot culinary forecast predicts food and menu trends for the coming year. They surveyed 700 professional chefs – members of the American Culinary Federation – to identify the hottest menu trends for 2020.

Menu Trends

Facts at a Glance

• $863 billion: Restaurant industry sales in 2019.
• 1 million+: Restaurant locations in the United States.
• 15.3 million: Restaurant industry employees.
• 10%: Restaurant workforce as part of the overall U.S. workforce.
• 9 in 10: Restaurant managers who started at entry level.
• 8 in 10: Restaurant owners who started their industry careers in entry-level positions.
• 9 in 10: Restaurants with fewer than 50 employees
• 7 in 10: Restaurants that are single-unit operations.

(Source: National Restaurant Association)

Keep up with all of the latest news in the restaurant industry and stay up to date with what's happening on our news & alerts page.

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