The Restaurant Industry in Wisconsin
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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
Statistics provided by the National Restaurant Association For national restaurant industry stats, visit https://restaurant.org/research-and-media/research/industry-statistics/ Check our Press Releases section for results of the latest surveys of Wisconsin Restaurants. |
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What's Hot 2025 Culinary ForecastIn 2025… Personal and planetary well-being, coupled with a deeper exploration of Southeast Asian cuisines, are the leading trends in the 2025 What’s Hot Culinary Forecast.
This year’s What’s Hot Culinary Forecast draws on the expertise of industry professionals who were asked to rank 71 items in 7 categories:
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Topping the List
Sustainability with industry professionals saying a restaurant’s commitment to sustainability will influence customers’ choice of where to eat out. Generationally, we can expect that customers’ support of businesses that support environmental stewardship—through local sourcing, reduced waste cooking, sustainable ingredients—will continue to grow.
Southeast Asian foods lit the survey, with Korean, Vietnamese and Filipino cuisines taking the top three spots under Dishes and two of the Top 10 overall. Many Southeast Asian ingredients made the top 5 in ingredients, flavors and condiments.
The What’s Hot Culinary Forecast presents the top 10 Hot Trends overall, the top trends in each category, and macro trends shaping menus, operations and marketing. Download your free copy of the report today!
Sustainability with industry professionals saying a restaurant’s commitment to sustainability will influence customers’ choice of where to eat out. Generationally, we can expect that customers’ support of businesses that support environmental stewardship—through local sourcing, reduced waste cooking, sustainable ingredients—will continue to grow.
Southeast Asian foods lit the survey, with Korean, Vietnamese and Filipino cuisines taking the top three spots under Dishes and two of the Top 10 overall. Many Southeast Asian ingredients made the top 5 in ingredients, flavors and condiments.
The What’s Hot Culinary Forecast presents the top 10 Hot Trends overall, the top trends in each category, and macro trends shaping menus, operations and marketing. Download your free copy of the report today!
2025 State of the Restaurant Industry Report
In February, 2025, the National Restaurant Association released its 2024 State of the Restaurant Industry report. According to the report, opportunity and cautious optimism will drive restaurant industry growth in 2025. Consumers plan to continue spending in their local restaurants, pushing industry sales nationwide to a projected $1.5T, while restaurant operators will continue to fuel economic growth in their communities by adding a projected 200K jobs, bringing total industry employment to 15.9M.
Meeting customers’ wants and needs and creating an experience that keeps them coming back will be paramount to growth. Expanding the definition of value to include a dynamic mix of experience, innovation and affordability will create opportunity for higher traffic and greater loyalty. And a renewed focus on word-of-mouth recruitment tactics will help reinforce the drawing power and opportunity of industry careers.
The 2025 State of the Restaurant Industry report is free to Wisconsin Restaurant Association restaurateur members ($349 for non-members). WRA members wishing to access the report, need to log into the National Restaurant Association Store before downloading the report. There’s a login link in the bar at the top. If you experience difficulties accessing the report for free, email [email protected] to request to be linked to your company's membership record.
Meeting customers’ wants and needs and creating an experience that keeps them coming back will be paramount to growth. Expanding the definition of value to include a dynamic mix of experience, innovation and affordability will create opportunity for higher traffic and greater loyalty. And a renewed focus on word-of-mouth recruitment tactics will help reinforce the drawing power and opportunity of industry careers.
The 2025 State of the Restaurant Industry report is free to Wisconsin Restaurant Association restaurateur members ($349 for non-members). WRA members wishing to access the report, need to log into the National Restaurant Association Store before downloading the report. There’s a login link in the bar at the top. If you experience difficulties accessing the report for free, email [email protected] to request to be linked to your company's membership record.
“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
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Facts at a Glance
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