1851

Restaurant opening hours have declined 7.5% over the past three years. As of October 2022, the average restaurant is open for 6.4 fewer hours per week than it was in 2019, according to a new analysis from&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.datassential.com/reduced-restaurant-hours?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-restaurant-brands-are-still-cutting-hours-2720202" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Datassential</a>.&nbsp;There are several factors contributing to the decline:<ul><li>The worker shortage has disproportionately impacted the food service industry.</li><li>Demand for restaurants in certain cities and neighborhoods has declined since the pandemic began.&nbsp;</li><li>The shift to work-from-home has led to reductions in both daytime and after-work traffic in key business centers.&nbsp;</li><li>People are at home more often, meaning more eating in.&nbsp;</li></ul>Notably, post-pandemic recovery has been tougher on independent restaurants than large franchises. Brands with over 500 units experienced a milder decline of 4.3%, or 4 hours a week.&nbsp;The report found that restaurants are closing earlier than ever, with many shutting their doors by 8 or 9 P.M., instead of the traditional 10 or 11 P.M. For example, just 41.5% of restaurants were found to be open at 9:45 on Wednesdays, compared to 56.6% in 2019.&nbsp;Other key findings from the report included:&nbsp;<ul><li>58.6% of U.S. restaurants reduced their operating hours since 2019, while just 19.8% have increased them</li><li>Independent restaurants (-7.5 hours per week) and casual dining sit-down restaurants (-8.9) exhibited particularly steep declines</li><li>Just one state saw a net increase in open restaurant hours — Alaska (+2.7 hours per week)</li><li>Blue states exhibited the greatest declines, with Washington DC (-12.5 hours per week), Vermont (-11.3), Maine (-9.8), New York (-9.5), Connecticut (-9.2) and Minnesota (-9.2) topping the list</li><li>Denny’s (-30.1 hours per week), Texas Roadhouse (-21.2), IHop (-17.7), Subway (-16.0), and Einstein Brothers (-14.2) are among the chains that reduced their hours the most.</li><li>Meanwhile, Wendy’s (+21.2 hours per week), Crumbl Cookies (+3.8), Boston Market (+2.7), Jack in the Box (+2.4), and In-n-Out Burger (+2.2) are among a smaller handful of chains that extended their operating hours.</li></ul>Read the full report from Datassential&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.datassential.com/reduced-restaurant-hours?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-restaurant-brands-are-still-cutting-hours-2720202" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">here</a>.&nbsp;

Why Restaurant Brands Are Still Cutting Hours

1851 Franchise

A report from Datassential found that restaurants are closing earlier than ever, with many shutting their doors by 8 or 9 P.M.

why-restaurant-brands-are-still-cutting-hours

Seniors Helping Seniors®

Photo of two people, with white hair, sitting on couch, smiling at each other

Seniors Helping Seniors® In-Home Care Services Expands in Manassas and Fredericksburg, Virginia

seniors-helping-seniors-in-home-care-services-expands-in-manassas-and-fredericksburg-virginia

BooXkeeping

Tech-Driven Bookkeeping: How BooXkeeping Franchisees Are Embracing the Future

tech-driven-bookkeeping-how-booxkeeping-franchisees-are-embracing-the-future

Fitness Premier

Fitness Premier's State-of-the-Art Facilities and Multi-Discipline Approach Fuels Franchise Owner Success

fitness-premiers-state-of-the-art-facilities-and-multi-discipline-approach-fuels-franchise-owner-success

Melting Pot

Melting Pot 50th anniversary photo, featuring three people enjoying celebratory drinks and fondue

Melting Pot Celebrates 50 Years of Fondue Magic With a Year of Special Menus, New Offerings and Unforgettable Moments

melting-pot-50th-anniversary-fondue-celebration

Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions

Kathy Turner: The Filta Franchisee Keeping LA's Kitchens Cooking (and Green)

kathy-turner-the-filta-franchisee-keeping-las-kitchens-cooking-and-green

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs To Retire in 2026 After 36 Years With the Company

yum-brands-ceo-david-gibbs-to-retire-in-2026-after-36-years-with-the-company

Hooters Bankruptcy - Chapter 11 - April 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Files for Bankruptcy, Sells Restaurants to Franchisee Group

hooters-bankruptcy-chapter-11-april-2025

Fly Dance Fitness Expands With First Franchise Location in Georgia

fly-dance-fitness-franchise-expansion

&pizza - Fast-Casual Pizza Chain Begins Franchising - 1851 Franchise

&pizza Embraces Franchising To Fuel Bold New Growth Strategy

andpizza-franchising-ceo-mike-burns

CFOs See Recession as Likely in ’25; Why Now Is the Time To Water the Franchise Buyer Seeds

cfos-see-recession-as-likely-in-25-why-now-is-the-time-to-water-the-franchise-buyer-seeds

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025

paris-baguette-ranks-among-top-franchises-on-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-for-2025

1851 Agg - McDonald's Sales Decline Expansion Continues - 1851 Franchise

McDonald’s Franchisees Feel the Pressure as Sales Decline and Expansion Continues

mcdonalds-franchisees-feel-the-pressure-as-sales-decline-and-expansion-continues

Florida Franchisee Reflects on Success and Growth with Sylvan Learning

florida-franchisee-reflects-on-success-and-growth-with-sylvan-learning

Franchise Deep Dive: Studio Pilates Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

franchise-deep-dive-studio-pilates-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Military Veteran and Craft Beer Enthusiast to Bring Voodoo Brewing Co. to Toledo, Ohio

military-veteran-and-craft-beer-enthusiast-to-bring-voodoo-brewing-co-to-toledo-ohio

Why Restaurant Brands Are Still Cutting Hours

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS