Consumer confidence in foodservice is fragile in 2025
For many consumers, loyalty now hinges on a dependable, quality experience that feels worth the spend.
A new national survey of more than 6,400 US consumers finds that while most Americans say they feel confident in restaurants and retail foodservice today, that confidence is increasingly fragile and easily lost.
According to The State of Consumer Confidence in Restaurant & Retail 2025, 83% of consumers report at least some confidence in foodservice providers, yet nearly one in five describe their trust as "low," "tentative" or "conditional." The research reveals that customer confidence now depends on a small set of factors: consistent service, clear value and the ability to deliver exactly what's promised. For many consumers, loyalty now hinges on a dependable, quality experience that feels worth the spend.
Stampede Culinary PartnersThe data points to a slow erosion of consumer trust, moving away from safety concerns and toward unmet expectations around quality, consistency and communication.
"The findings make it clear that consumer confidence can no longer be assumed. Trust has to be earned and re-earned with every visit," said Brock Furlong, CEO and president at Stampede Culinary Partners. "As operators and manufacturers navigate rising costs and evolving consumer expectations, insights like these help to clarify where the trust gaps are, and more importantly, how we can close them."
Additional highlights from the study include:
- 30% of consumers say the restaurant experience is worse today than five years ago.
- One in three people are dining out less often than a year ago, while 51% are spending more per visit.
- Most respondents cite consistency, service and transparency as the top drivers of trust.
The research underscores an urgent message for the foodservice industry: consumers are not abandoning dining out, but they're raising the bar and raising their expectations. Businesses that deliver dependable quality and communicate value clearly will be the ones to earn lasting consumer loyalty. The 2025 report also provides actionable insights for restaurant operators, retailers, and supply-chain partners on how to rebuild and protect consumer trust in the year ahead.
Source: Stampede Culinary Partners
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