The James Beard Foundation produces comprehensive reports that analyze key trends and insights within the independent restaurant industry, providing valuable information to guide our network of chefs and industry professionals and inform our programming, events, and resources.
2027 Independent Restaurant Industry Report
We are collecting data for our 2027 Independent Restaurant Industry Report, which will be released in February 2027 and aims to reflect the reality of our sector of the industry: small businesses owned and operated by people who care deeply about their staff, their communities, and their supply chain. Please fill out our 15-minute Industry Survey, open September 8 to November 9, for a chance to win tickets to the 2027 James Beard Awards and more!
2026 Independent Restaurant Industry Report
The James Beard Foundation 2026 Independent Restaurant Industry Report, created in collaboration with Deloitte, provides a comprehensive analysis of the independent restaurant landscape. It synthesizes insights from research of over 420+ restaurant owners, chefs, and operators across 47 U.S. states. Together, these perspectives reveal an industry marked by steadfast, cautious optimism, hard-earned determination, and a growing emphasis on tactical decision-making.
More Reports
Through data-driven research and reports, found below, the Foundation aims to equip industry leaders with the evidence and tools necessary to effectively tackle the challenges and successes they face and push the industry towards a better food system. These reports, produced in collaboration with various partners, cover a range of topics that help chefs, restaurant owners, and other culinary leaders meet the many challenges of the industry today.
Our Annual Industry Reports, summarize and analyze the findings of our industry surveys which reflect industry trends, challenges, solutions, and the landscape of the year ahead.
Produced in partnership with the Global Food Institute of the George Washington University, this report provides a deep dive into the supply chain and new economic reality for restaurants impacted by climate change.
inKind Capital, in partnership with the James Beard Foundation, has developed a white paper that seeks to clarify the different categories of restaurant financing and help current, or future restaurant owners understand the trade-offs in their search for the best source of capital. Watch the companion webinar which brings this white paper to life and answers audience questions.
The Open for Good: Compensation, Benefits, and Growth Guide features voices across the industry and how they pivoted their business models in this new era. Along with these stories and best practices from business owners, we’ve included insights from business experts on lease negotiations, health insurance, and 401(k) retirement plans. Watch the Open for Good: Compensation, Benefits, and Growth webinar here.
In the fall of 2021, JBF worked with Deloitte Consulting on a project to learn from chefs and restaurateurs across the nation as to how they adapted their business models over the course of the pandemic and how they plan on adjusting their business models looking into the future. The project aims to uncover the business models that restaurants can implement to become more financially resilient and, in turn, enable them to make purposeful sustainability and equity investments. Watch our webinar with Deloitte here.