The Pulse

The Pulse Survey Topline Results

The PULSE Wisconsin Hospitality Surveys are quick, focused, anonymous surveys conducted by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association to guide efforts to support and strengthen our industry.

NOTE: The Pulse Surveys were not conducted using random sampling methods necessary for statistical inference to a broader population.

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Cash & Credit Practices - May, 2025

Only 4% of respondents indicated that their business accepts only cash
Only 2% of respondents indicated that their business accepts only credit/debit
An overwhelming majority of respondents (94%) indicated that their business accepts cash and credit/debit
71% of respondents indicated that they accept mobile payments like Google Pay and/or Apple Pay
51% of respondents indicated that they accept checks from retail customers for payment

Hiring Challenges Pulse Survey - April, 2025
Difficulties hiring needed staff:

44% indicated that they are having difficulties hiring needed staff but it's getting better
28% indicated that they are having difficulties and it's as bad as it's ever been
17% indicated that they are able to find the people they need
11% indicated that they are fully staffed and not hiring

Spring/Summer staffing:
77% indicated that they plan to hire additional staff for Spring/Summer

For the respondents who indicated that they plan to hire additional staff this Spring/Summer, they indicated needing to fill the following positions (Note: multiple answers were allowed):

Server 66%
Chef/cook 51%
Bartender 40%
Dishwasher 31%
Host 23%
Busser 20%
Front of House Manager 14%
Back of House Manager 8%

Tariffs Pulse Survey - March, 2025
If food prices increase due to tariffs:

45.83% indicated that they would remove some menu items/ingredients and raise prices on others
31.25% indicated that they would raise prices only
14.5% indicated that they don't use a lot of products from the effected countries
6.25% indicated that they would reformulate menu items or remove items completely
2% specified an "other" response

Types of products most concerned about relating to tariffs:

Produce was by far the category mentioned the most
Others mentioned included: equipment, alcohol, disposables, grain, glassware, cheese, seafood & coffee beans

Bar Sales & Offerings Pulse Survey - February, 2025
Bar Sales

16% indicated that that they saw an increase in total bar sales over the last 12 months
9% said they saw an increase but it was due to the fact that they raised menu prices
36% indicated that sales were about the same
12% did not answer the question because they do not sell alcoholic beverages

Beverage Offerings

The majority of respondents (69%) indicated that they don't sell hemp derived THC canned drinks and don't intend to
Twelve percent indicated that they are selling hemp derived THC canned drinks and they are selling well
Thirty three percent of respondents indicated that they sell non-alcoholic beverages like craft mocktails, N/A wine or N/A beer and sales are increasing
Forty seven percent indicated that they sell non-alcoholic beverages like craft mocktails, N/A wine or N/A beer, but sales are flat

Biggest Challenges in 2025 Pulse Survey - January, 2025
The issues that our survey respondents identified as the top three challenges for their business in 2025 were:

Wholesale food costs
Labor costs
Credit card processing fees