Employee Demographics

The gender mix is steady and full-service still skews female, but the share of hourly Hispanic employees has declined since the election, and fewer companies have a formal D&I owner or strategy.

Generational Hiring Trends in Restaurants

The restaurant workforce is getting younger. Based on BBI data spanning the last several years, the trend is crystal clear.

What the Data Says

• Full service has become progressively younger: Gen Z’s share of hourly new hires increased from 23% in 2016 to 42% in 2019, 55% in 2022, and 63% in 2025, while Millennials fell from 56% (2016) to 24% (2025); Gen X moved from 16% → 10%, and Baby Boomers from 5% → 2%.

• Limited service is now dominated by Gen Z: their share rose from 47% (2016) to 64% (2019), 70% (2022), and 74% (2025), with Millennials dropping from 37% → 15%, Gen X from 11% → 8%, and Baby Boomers from 5% → 3%.

• What it means: Entry-level hiring is increasingly Gen Z—especially in limited service—so onboarding, scheduling, and development programs need to match Gen Z availability and expectations.

Gender Hiring Trends in Restaurants

There have been some slight changes in the male-female composition of the restaurant workforce over the last six years. Although the numbers aren’t vastly different, restaurant brands should consider these trends when planning their talent acquisition strategies.

What the Data Says

• Full service continues to skew female, moving from 53% female / 47% male in 2019 to 55% female / 45% male in 2025.

• Limited service moved to roughly 50/50, shifting from 53% female / 47% male in 2019 to 50% female / 50% male in 2025.

• What it means: Role design and scheduling flexibility should reflect a sustained female majority in FSR and a balanced mix in LSR.

Ethnicity Hiring Trends in Restaurants

Immigration policies at the federal level are already having an impact on the restaurant industry following the election in November 2024 and inaugaration in January 2025.

What the Data Says

• Limited service Hispanic hourly worker share fell from ~36.0% (Nov ’24) to ~34.8% (Jul ’25).

• Full service Hispanic hourly worker share fell from ~32.6% (Nov ’24) to ~28.5% (Jul ’25), with a notably sharper drop in the most recent month.

• What it means: Hispanic representation among hourly employees has declined in both segments post-election—we don’t know the full long-term impact, but the talent pool has shrunk and will continue to do assuming the Government continues along this path.

Diversity & Inclusion Strategy in Restaurants

There has been a widespread pullback from diversity and inclusion across the industry.