Notably, compared to the pre-pandemic period, review mentions of takeout for multi-location restaurants grew by 9 percentage points more than for single-location restaurants (+47% vs +38%). Review mentions of takeout at multi-location restaurants in 2022 are 40% lower compared to the same period (Jan-April) in 2021, and 47% higher than in the same period of 2019. Review mentions of takeout at local restaurants in 2022 are 37% lower compared to the same period (Jan-April) in 2021, and 38% higher than in the same period of 2019. This remains true across both local (defined as restaurants with five or less locations) and multi-location restaurants (defined as restaurants with more than five locations). Consumers searched for takeout 31% less than in Q1 2021, but 107% more than in Q1 2020 and 144% more than in Q1 2019 – demonstrating that takeout has become a pandemic trend that may be here to stay. Diners Seated via Yelp are Increasing Across the U.S., Especially in the Southeast and CaliforniaĪs on-premise dining rebounds, takeout remains strong. California cities with the most growth include: Vallejo (up 917%), Santa Cruz (up 225%), Stockton (up 187%), Santa Barbara (up 170%), Thousand Oaks (up 166%), Salinas (up 158%), San Francisco (up 158%) and San Jose (up 145%). Lucie, FL (up 113%), Fort Myers, FL (up 97%) and Memphis, TN (up 73%). Southeast cities with the highest year-over-year quarterly growth include: Panama City, FL (diners seated via Yelp up 212% in Q1 2022 compared to Q1 2021), Huntsville, AL (up 183%), Sevierville, TN (up 183%), Columbia, SC (up 176%), LaGrange, GA (up 158%), Port St. The return to on-premise dining has especially grown in cities in the Southeast and California. Yet, as we previously reported in Q1 2022, many consumers are actually seeking out higher-priced dining experiences, which could mean that while conscious of inflation they want to spend their money on high quality experiences. Review mentions of increased prices were up 25% in Q1 2022. In addition to longer wait times, consumers are also experiencing near-record menu price inflation, and Yelp data reveals that consumers are conscious of these price changes.

Consumers Increasingly Notice Long Waits and Short Staffing By automating specific steps in the dining experience, the savings on labor can be re-distributed in other ways to the restaurant. As Americans are increasingly returning to on-premise dining at restaurants with more than 13 million diners seated via Yelp* in Q1 2022, up 48% compared to Q1 2021, some have embraced technologies, like Yelp Guest Manager, to more easily handle front-of-house operations - automating check-in, managing waitlists and contacting diners - to allow hosts to support other areas of the business. To address this industry wide challenge, many restaurants have continued to adjust their operating hours, menu options, available tables and more. Yelp data shows that in Q1 2022, consumers mentioned long waits (23%) and short staffing (229%) more in reviews than in Q1 of the previous year. Labor shortage and inflation challenges continue to impact the restaurant industryĪcross the restaurant industry, the ongoing labor shortage continues to be a top challenge facing restaurants. Yelp data also reveals that experience-focused dining is seeing a pop in new business openings as people look to find more unique dining options when they do go out. Yet, even as on-premise dining picks up, takeout demand remains high. Yelp data shows that while consumers and restaurants are continuing to feel the impact of the industry’s labor shortage, many restaurants are also experiencing an increase in reservations, as well as high requests for both indoor and outdoor dining. While 2020 was a turbulent year, 2021 proved to be a transitional year for restaurants, and Yelp data reveals that 2022 promises to turn the tables for the industry. From shifts in operating models, to worker shortages and supply chain issues, the industry has faced challenging business conditions on its road to recovery. The restaurant industry is going through a period of unprecedented change, accelerated by the pandemic and this year punctuated by record inflation. For more on the methodology for this report, click here.

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