Restaurant project budgets are moderately higher than they were two years ago, according to 45% of restaurant development + design readers surveyed in June. An additional 31% said that their restaurant project budgets are significantly higher than they were in 2024.
Of course, what is true for most is not true for all. About 8% of readers surveyed said project budgets were about the same today as they were two years ago. Another 8% said project budgets were moderately lower. The final 8% said that their project budgets for 2026 were significantly lower.
What does it mean? Costs are up! But with nearly half noting that costs are “moderately” higher, it could be worse. Inflation moderated in June, but like so many things in modern life, the outlook is complicated.
rd+d regularly surveys subscribers on the state of restaurant development and design. Subscribe to The Pulse to get rd+d’s surveys and results delivered to your inbox six times a year and to contribute your opinions to the surveys.
