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 https://restaurant.org/research-and-media/research/industry-statistics/

“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? 2022 Culinary Forecast

Foods that boost the immune system and plant-based proteins. Alternative sweeteners. Globally inspired salads. Upscale potato chips in unexpected flavors. All these foods and more are high up on the What’s Hot 2022 Culinary Forecast, while packaging continues to be a priority, nabbing top spots in the overall top 10 list of trends.

The National Restaurant Association partnered with the professional chefs of the American Culinary Federation, inviting them to review and rank—as Hot, Not Hot and Perennial Favorite—more than 100 food items and culinary concepts identified by the Association and Technomic’s Menu Research & Insights Division.
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Find out what the experts predict will reign on menus in the coming year. What’s Hot delivers the Top 10 hottest overall and the leading trends in each of 12 food and menu categories from dayparts and desserts to snacks and spices.

Download Your Copy

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)

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