A total of 39% of restaurant development + design readers said format innovations — including nontraditional locations — will be a top development driver in 2025. This data is from a survey the magazine fielded in October 2024. Then, in February 2025, rd+d surveyed readers to discover what kinds of nontraditional locations they are working on currently.
College and University locations topped the list with 24% of readers saying they are working on these venues. Airports were a close second with 21% of readers currently working on those types of locations. Grocery store locations were on deck for 12% of readers. Stadiums scored with 10.5% of readers and another 10.5% said travel centers were on the agenda for 2025.
The remaining 22% of readers gave a variety of answers, including mixed use developments, on-site restaurants at churches and assisted living facilities, private spaces from clubs to yachts, casinos, convention centers, family entertainment centers, K-12, hotel restaurants, train stations and theme parks.
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.
