Recently, the National Restaurant Association released the 2025 Restaurant Operations Data Abstract. Based on financial and operational data from more than 900 restaurants, the report includes a range of insights across key cost centers. These include food and beverage costs, salaries and wages, occupancy, utilities, marketing, and general operating expenses.  
 
The report is a valuable tool to help operators identify potential financial risks, sharpen performance strategies, and better understand how similar types of businesses are navigating today’s economic environment. It presents results by average check size, annual sales volume, restaurant location, and community size to provide a more tailored view of performance across different types of businesses operating throughout the United States. 

Operators can use this report to: 

• Compare performance with similar businesses by check size, sales volume, location, and community size 
• Identify financial risks and areas for cost control 
• Strengthen business strategies in today’s economic environment  

 
Key findings from the report include: 

• Full-service restaurants reported a median income before taxes of 2.8 percent of sales while limited-service restaurants reported a median income before taxes of 4.0 percent 
• Prime costs including food, beverage, and labor were a median of 65 cents of every sales dollar in the limited-service segment 
• Labor remains the largest single operating expense, with payroll and benefits representing a median of 36.5 percent of sales in the full-service segment 

 
The Abstract also includes the popular “Analyze Your Operation” worksheet, which allows users to compare their own income and expense figures against the data in the report. The tool helps operators identify emerging trends and make proactive adjustments. 
 
The 2025 Restaurant Operations Data Abstract is $99 for WRA restaurateur members and $199 for non-members. WRA restaurateur members wishing to access the report at the discounted rate, need to log into the National Restaurant Association Store. There’s a login link in the bar at the top. If you experience difficulties accessing the discounted rate, email [email protected] to request to be linked to your company's membership record. Download the webinar and receive 25% discount promo code.

Recently, President Trump issued an Executive Order imposing new tariff rates on goods from over 67 countries. The EO includes charts which show the new tariff rates of all countries. Countries not listed in Annex I will continue to face a baseline 10% tariff. The new tariffs will take effect on August 7, 2025. Goods already in transit before this time are exempt from the new rates. There is also a transshipment penalty, meaning that goods determined to be transshipped to evade tariffs will face an additional 40% tariff, along with other penalties.

Restaurant Impact and Engagement
The National Restaurant Association issued a press release, which emphasizes that while addressing trade deficits is a valid objective, food and beverage products are not major contributors and should be excluded from tariff negotiations. It urges the administration to exempt these items to protect small businesses, preserve jobs, and keep dining affordable for families. It also highlights that these tariffs are expected to further disrupt access to essential ingredients, increase costs, and place additional pressure on both operators and consumers.

Last week, the National Restaurant Association also sent a letter to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) expressing concerns about increased tariffs on our major trading partners and urging the administration to exempt food and beverage products from tariffs negotiations.

NEW TARIFF RATES
Canada & Mexico

• The Canadian tariff rate has increased from 25% to 35% starting August 1 (see Fact Sheet). Importantly, USMCA-compliant goods will remain exempt from the tariffs.
  
• Mexico has an additional 90-day pause as negotiations continue. USMCA compliant goods will remain exempt during this time. All other goods will remain under a 25% tariff.

European Union

• The US and EU reached a framework deal which will result in a 15% tariff starting on Aug. 1. European food, wine and spirits are not exempt, though we are advocating for an exemption of these products.

Brazil

• A 50% tariff on Brazilian goods will be effective Aug. 6 based on a new Executive Order. There were some exemptions for items such as aircraft and energy. However, beef and coffee were not included in the exemptions. The EO provides a "goods on the water" exception if an exporter can ship goods before August 6, they can avoid the 40% tariff if they arrive before October 5.

China

• US and Chinese officials recently agreed to seek an extension of their 90-day tariff truce. However, it will not be final until President Trump signs off on the plan. Deadline for that is August 12.

Other Key Countries

• United Kingdom -10% - trade deal
• Vietnam ­- 20% - trade deal
• Indonesia - 19% - trade deal
• South Korea – 15% - trade deal
• Japan – 15% - trade deal
• Philippines – 19% - trade deal
• India - 25%
• Thailand – 19%
• Taiwan – 20%
• Cambodia – 19%
• Costa Rica – 15%
• Ecuador – 15%
• Venezuela – 15%
• Nicaragua – 18%
• Myanmar – 40%
• Laos: 40%
• Iraq: 35%
• Switzerland: 39%
• Norway: 15%
• Syria: 41%

 
See the Executive Order for other countries. 
 
Questions? Contact us!