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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.