It appears as if 2026 will be a moderate year for restaurant development. That’s according to 52% of restaurant development + design readers participating in a March survey.
Meanwhile, 24% of respondents say they have no plans for new expansion. This points to a continued industry emphasis on reinvestment.
At the more conservative end of the spectrum, 14% of operators report pausing new development altogether.
Only 9% of respondents indicate plans for aggressive expansion, including entry into new markets and multiple openings. This relatively small segment highlights how cautious the broader industry remains.
Just 1% say they are strategically shrinking their footprint.
What does it mean? In 2026, restaurant development will continue to focus on making strategic, sustainable bets.
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.
