Tagged Articles
research
-
Readers Expect Design Costs to Remain Steady in 2026
Most readers expect per-project design spend to stay the same (28%) or increase modestly (42%) in 2026 compared to 2025, according to a restaurant development + design reader survey fielded in March.
-
Readers Look Ahead with Trepidation
In a survey fielded in March, 39% of restaurant development + design readers say they are “somewhat optimistic” about the industry’s outlook for 2026. Another 28% claim to be “neutral” about the industry’s 2026 outlook.
-
2026 Operator Investment Priorities Center on the Back of House
As restaurant operators map out capital allocation for 2026, investment skews heavily toward operational performance, particularly in the back of the house, per a restaurant development + design reader survey fielded in March.
-
Restaurant Development Plans Measured for Most in 2026
It appears as if 2026 will be a moderate year for restaurant development. That’s according to 52% of restaurant development + design readers participating in a March survey.
-
Cautious Optimism: Readers Weigh in on Q1 2026
Readers of restaurant development + design are taking a careful posture in 2026.
-
Identifying Sources of Inspiration
Restaurant designers are always looking for creative sparks, and 33% find inspiration in their client’s brand and story, per a restaurant development + design reader survey fielded in December 2025.
-
Identifying the Most Creative Part of the Restaurant Design Process
Early concept development is the part of the design process that sparks the most creativity from 53% of restaurant development + design readers, according to a survey fielded in December 2025.
-
Restaurant Designers Reveal Top Influences in Material Selection
In a survey fielded in December, readers of restaurant development + design magazine detailed what most influences their material and finish selections.
-
How to Get Unstuck — Creatively
When asked what they do when they’re stuck, creatively speaking, 34% of readers of restaurant development + design magazine said they go visit restaurants and other hospitality spaces for inspiration.
-
Nostalgia Named Top Design Driver for 2026
Nostalgia-driven aesthetics will be the most influential restaurant design style for 2026, according to 36% of restaurant development + design readers participating in a December 2025 survey.
-
Readers Predict Moderate Growth for 2026
When asked what their company’s growth outlook is for 2026, 49% of restaurant development + design readers predict “moderate growth,” per a survey fielded in October.
-
Which Design Trend Had the Greatest Impact on Restaurant Projects in 2025?
In a reader survey fielded in October, restaurant development + design magazine asked readers what design trend had the greatest impact on restaurant projects in 2025. The open-ended responses ranged from cheeky to sincere. Here's what they said.
-
Costs of Construction Tops Concerns for 2026
The cost of construction and materials will be the most important factor in how operators allocate their budgets in 2026, according to 51% of restaurant development + design readers.
-
Readers Report Stable to Moderate Growth in 2025
In a survey fielded in October, 36% of readers of restaurant development + design magazine reported moderate growth in their companies in 2025.
-
Rising Costs Named Biggest Challenge of 2025
Rising construction and materials costs were the biggest challenge in 2025 for 30% of readers of restaurant development + design magazine, according to a survey fielded in October.
-
What’s the Next Big Thing in Restaurant Design?
In a reader survey fielded in October, restaurant development + design magazine asked readers to describe The Next Big Thing in restaurant design. Here's how respondents answered.
-
Are Readers Optimistic or Pessimistic About the Economy?
When asked what their outlook was like for the remainder of 2025, 51% of restaurant development + design readers said they were optimistic and felt indicators were trending in the right direction.
-
Where Have Restaurant Operators Put Investment Capital in 2025?
When asked where they had seen the greatest amount of operator investment so far in 2025, restaurant and development + design readers were split.
-
Is Business in 2025 Better or Worse Than Projected?
Just 36% of restaurant development + design readers surveyed in June said that business so far in 2025 was better than they had projected it to be. Another 19% said it was as good as they had projected it to be.
-
Tariff War Creates Headaches and Holds
When asked how the tariff chaos of the first part of 2025 has affected their work life, 44% of restaurant development + design readers said it has been difficult or complicated to navigate.
-
Readers Report Business is Down or Flat in 2025
In a survey fielded in June to restaurant development + design magazine readers, 55% said that business is down or flat so far in 2025.
-
Readers Weigh in on 2025 Woes
Readers of restaurant development + design were split on what their biggest challenge at work is right now — but staffing and inflation were key concerns.
-
What’s Going on With Restaurant Bathrooms in 2025?
The state of the bathroom is often a clue to how well (or how poorly) a restaurant is run.
-
What Can Designers Do to Combat Loud Restaurant Complaints?
We asked restaurant development + design readers what steps they take to ensure restaurants they work on are lively but not too loud.
-
Are Restaurant Project Timelines Longer Post-Pandemic?
Have restaurant project timelines changed five years out from the start of the pandemic era?
-
Readers Weigh In: How to Keep Budgets in Check
When asked how to keep budgets in check, readers of restaurant development + design had a mix of answers.
-
Restaurant Designers Name Biggest Pet Peeves
Most consumer surveys note that poor acoustics and dirty bathrooms are diners’ biggest complaints about restaurant spaces, but what about the designers themselves?
-
Are Declining Alcohol Sales Affecting Bar Design?
The news of declining alcohol sales made headlines recently — and signals a broader trend related to a rise in nonalcoholic offerings at bars and restaurants. To find out what that means for bar design, restaurant development + design asked readers.
-
Spring is here! Is Outdoor Dining Still Hot in 2025?
restaurant development + design readers overwhelmingly agreed it’s not going anywhere.
-
Nontraditional Locations Driving Restaurant Development in 2025
A total of 39% of restaurant development + design readers said format innovations — including nontraditional locations — will be a top development driver in 2025.