• by Teresa Buyikian , March 5, 2025

After a year of competing meal deals and pricing wars, restaurant operators are, as expected, quite concerned about what 2025 may have in store. Per a recent report from SpotOn, a software and payments provider for restaurants, operators are most concerned with unpredictable rising interest rates, pricing struggles and continuing funding challenges.

The 2025 Restaurant Business Report used information garnered from data and insights provider Penta, which conducted nationwide survey of 200 chain and independent restaurant operators on financial issues in major markets including Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, St. Louis, Chicago, New York, Pittsburgh and Miami.

Ninety-three percent of operators reported they are concerned about the effect of rising interest rates on their business. And 32% of operators expressed concern about overall financial stability in 2025, citing inflation, supply chain disruptions and changing consumer spending habits as top pressures.

In terms of managing finances, 99% of operators agreed that “strong financial management is critical,” yet 84% felt their current systems “need improvement.” Almost half disclosed they felt they should spend more time on financial tracking, “but struggle to do so.”

"Restaurant operators are some of the most resilient and resourceful business owners out there," said Kevin Bryla, CMO of SpotOn, in a press release. "This report isn't just about identifying challenges—it's about uncovering opportunities and leveling the playing field.”

The report went on to discuss pricing strategies, with 73% of operators feeling they lack confidence in determining their own pricing strategy, “most relying on gut instinct or competitor pricing instead of real-time cost analysis.”

When asked to respond to the statement  “I have adopted dynamic pricing strategies,” 61% of operators responded “sometimes,”  while 20% said “frequently,” 15% said “not often” and 5% said “not at all.”

In terms of capital, it still remains as critical a concern as it was in 2024. Sixty-six percent of operators reported they anticipate needing additional funding in 2025, with 42% seeking traditional funding from banks.