Most consumer surveys note that poor acoustics and dirty bathrooms are diners’ biggest complaints about restaurant spaces, but what about the designers themselves?
For 34% of readers of restaurant development + design, poor space planning is their biggest pet peeve. Another 31% agree with consumer sentiment — poor acoustics ruins their visit.
An additional 17% note that poor lighting is their biggest restaurant design pet peeve. And 7% point to clunky social media elements as their biggest source of irritation in restaurant design.
The remaining 11% had more specific bones to pick, with two notable complaints being “uncomfortable chairs” and “BENCH SEATING ALONG A WALL WITH TABLES!!!”
rd+d regularly surveys subscribers on the state of restaurant development and design. This survey was fielded in February 2025. Subscribe to The Pulse to get rd+d’s surveys and results delivered to your inbox six times a year.
