Save & Follow
Restaurant review platform Yelp is reporting a 229% increase in reviews complaining of staff shortages. In data relating to Q1 in the US, they also note a 23% increase in customers mentioning long wait times compared to a year ago. It’s no surprise that restaurants are struggling to find and retain staff these days, but it appears that these struggles are affecting the customer experience and may ultimately hit restaurants’ bottom lines.
In a report entitled ‘State of the Restaurant Industry’ by Yelp, the online platform informed of its growth in its reservations activities, with 13 million diners being seated at restaurants via Yelp during Q1 2022, a rise of 48% year on year.
Yelp Launches Fundraisers without Restaurants' Permission
According to the report, restaurant menu prices were up 7.4% in the month of May, reflecting inflation and rising costs, but also that diners are seeking out higher-end or ‘occasion’ dining experiences.
Customers are attracted to more ‘experiential’ dining experiences, with Yelp citing a rise in openings for conveyor sushi up 500%, theatre dinner up 240%, supper clubs up 200%, and themed cafes up 75%.
Interest in on-site dining remains high, despite higher costs both at home and in the hospitality sector, with a much welcomed increase of 107% on Yelp compared to a year ago.
Latest
