A couple smiling and clinking their glasses.
70% Of Diners Wait This Long For A Restaurant Table

NEWS

By HILARY WHEELAN REMLEY
Unoccupied restaurant dining table.
Per a survey conducted by Toast, a whopping 72% of diners only wait up to 30 minutes for a table at a restaurant, and this phenomenon is caused by several underlying issues.
Restaurant server talking to diners.
The primary cause of escalating impatience among diners is the steadily lengthening wait times, primarily stemming from the widespread issue of understaffing in many restaurants.
Restaurant server wearing a face mask.
That’s because many food service workers quit the industry and shifted to less physically demanding jobs following COVID-19, leaving eateries struggling to fill open positions.
People standing in a queue.
Supply chain shortages and the subsequent rise in food prices have also affected the number of employees and daily operations of many eateries, contributing to extended wait times.
A "Sorry We're Closed" signboard.
Moreover, many restaurants aren’t seemingly open for as long as they used to be. This tight squeeze on their schedules further causes an extended wait time for potential diners.
A reserved table with a sign at a restaurant.
While making reservations is an effective way to avoid lengthy wait times, the Toast survey revealed that only 12% of respondents make a reservation every time they dine out.