The 2026 Voice of the Restaurant Industry Survey: How U.S. Restaurants are Handling Inflation, Labor, AI, and Revenue Growth
Toast released its 2026 Voice of the Restaurant Industry Survey based on input from 676 operators, revealing that 91% rate their business health as good or excellent despite macro headwinds. Inflation (27%) and hiring (22%) remain the primary challenges, but 87% of operators now report comfort using AI, with profitability being the top goal.
Key figures
- Survey participants
- 676
- Top challenge hiring
- 22%
- Top challenge inflation
- 27%
- Ai comfortable operators
- 87%
- Operator business health good excellent
- 91%
AI analysis
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AI-generated analysis of a public disclosure. Not investment advice; verify against the original document.