Hospitality thrives on experience—but staying ahead requires evolution.
In 2025, that experience is evolving.
Diners are embracing solo meals, seeking more personalised menus and balancing cost-conscious choices with premium expectations. Venues are responding by diversifying revenue streams, refining strategies and harnessing technology to stay efficient and profitable.
Lightspeed’s annual report unpacks these shifts with survey data, industry insights and expert analysis—so you can navigate what’s next with confidence.
2024 IN REVIEW
BEHIND THE MENU
What can 2024 tell us about dining in 2025?
By examining last year’s trends, we uncover the patterns shaping Australia’s hospitality landscape. Here’s how Australians dined, drank, and ordered in 2024 (on average)—and what it signals for the road ahead.
Where & how we dined in 2024
ACTION
Hover over the cards to discover how much Australians are spending on dining and drinking out each month.
Dined out:
Every 9 days
Monthly spend (on average):
-Restaurants: $116
-Cafes: $111
Drank out:
Every 13 days
Monthly spend (on average):
-Bars: $100
Ordered delivery & takeaway:
Every 5 days
Monthly spend (on average):
-Delivery: $98
-Takeaway: $87
ACTION
Toggle between the categories in the top left to see how dining and drinking habits have changed from 2023 to 2024.
Watching costs while valuing service
40% of venues
said customers ordered lower-priced menu items. Plus, more than a third of customers skipped desserts and shared main courses.
47% of Australians
tip when they know it directly supports staff. Staff transparency matters—customers were twice as likely to tip when they knew the entire tip goes directly to employees.
Staff transparency matters—customers were twice as likely to tip when they knew the entire tip goes directly to employees.
Download the full report
A Snapshot of Australia’s Dining Habits
Behind the Menu: Emerging Trends and Strategies for 2025
Managing Rising Costs: How are Businesses Respondin
Venues are redefining menus with bold trends, sustainable choices and ever-evolving dining experiences.
Sustainably sourced & diet-friendly menu items
In sync with customer demands
This aligns with customer expectations, as sustainably sourced food and dietary options were voted the top two components guests would like to see more of on menus.
51% of venues
are planning to update their menus with a focus on sustainable sourcing and catering to dietary needs.
ACTION
Use the toggle in the top left of the graph to switch between Venues and Customers to compare what venues are implementing and what customers are looking for in their dining experience.
Strategic menu innovations
98% of venues
plan to innovate their menu with diverse strategies ranging from adopting global trends to catering to personalised dining experiences.
ACTION
Hover over the cards to see how each business is reimagining its menu, from introducing trending dishes from social media to offerings tailored for solo diners.
55%
of Bars & Pubs
plan to include tiered pricing in their menu
50%
of Restaurants
plan to include solo diner menus
44%
of Cafes
plan to include social media inspired dishes in their menu
Consistent menu refreshes
Venues *refresh their menus approx. every week
*Updating the menu includes introducing new dishes, changing existing recipes/portion sizes, adding seasonal ingredients,or modifying the presentation.
53 menu updates per year
On average, venues update their menus 53 times per year, but this frequency varies by business type
Bars/Pubs
59 menu updates per year
Restaurants
45 menu updates per year
Cafes
64 menu updates per year
Read the full report
A Snapshot of Australia’s Dining Habits
Behind the Menu: Emerging Trends and Strategies for 2025
Managing Rising Costs: How are Businesses Respondin
Amid rising costs, venues are adapting with strategic price adjustments and diverse revenue streams.
Impact of rising costs
96% of venues
were impacted by rising costs in 2024, coping in the following ways:
ACTION
Use the toggle in the top left of the graph to see what percentage of venues adopted each strategy in response to rising costs—from increasing prices to reducing staff.
Menu adjustments
Price increases and menu changes were key strategies for managing rising costs
41% of venues
changed menu items and/orrenegotiated or changed suppliers
53% of venues
increased pricing
Price increases: 2023 vs. 2024
These figures show that while price increases were a key strategy, venues are adopted a more measured approach in 2024, opting for smaller or less frequent adjustments compared to 2023.
In 2023 average menu prices increased by 30% on avg.
While nearly a third (32%) reported raising prices by 31% to 40%.
In 2024 average menu prices increased by 22% on avg.
While more than half (52%) reported raising prices by 11% to 20%
Multiple revenue streams
Only 31% of annual revenue comes from dine-in services. Hover over the pie chart to discover how venues have been diversifying their revenue steams.
ACTION
Hover over the pie chart to discover how venues have been diversifying their revenue steams.
Surcharging
72% of venues apply some form of surcharge
While nearly 1 in 4 venues prefer raising prices over applying surcharges
How do customers feel about surcharging
Public holiday surcharges are the most accepted among customers, with more than 1 in 2 customers claiming it’s acceptable for venues to surcharge.
Read the full report
A Snapshot of Australia’s Dining Habits
Behind the Menu: Emerging Trends and Strategies for 2025
Managing Rising Costs: How are Businesses Respondin
As higher costs reshape priorities, the benefits of technology in hospitality are focused on efficiency and data-driven decision-making across different business types.
Role of technology
Almost half of venues credit tech for streamlining operations
The shifting benefits of technology reveal how hospitality businesses are prioritising tools that enhance efficiency and support smarter decision-making in response to rising costs.
Inventory management platforms save venues nearly 2 hours a day
Technology is becoming a vital time-saving asset in hospitality, enabling staff to focus more on customer experience and less on repetitive tasks.
1h 54mins
Inventory Management
Tracking inventory and managing stock levels
1h 52mins
Reporting Tools
Analysing business performance through detailed reports
1h 50mins
Kitchen Display System (KDS)
Displaying & tracking orders in the kitchen
1h 46mins
Point of Sale Platform (POS)
Using POS platform to take & send orders to the kitchen
1h 46mins
Integrated Payments
Processing payments directly through the POS platform
1h 46mins
Automated Marketing/Loyalty
Running automated campaigns & loyalty programs
1h 46mins
QR/Online Ordering
Enabling customers to place orders via QR code or app
1h 45mins
Booking Platform
Managing guest reservations through an online system
1h 38mins
Mobile Selling
Accepting payments using mobile devices at tables or on the go
Read the full report
A Snapshot of Australia’s Dining Habits
Behind the Menu: Emerging Trends and Strategies for 2025
Managing Rising Costs: How are Businesses Respondin
With rising costs and staffing shortages ahead, hospitality businesses remain resilient, preparing to navigate uncertainty and find new ways to thrive.
Foreseeable challenges in 2025
Close to 1 in 3 venues struggle with staff shortages and nearly 1 in 2 grapple with rising food and supply costs.
The challenges venues anticipate for 2025 highlight the need for proactive strategies to address operational costs, workforce stability, and shifting consumer expectations in a competitive landscape
Growth predictions
Bars and cafes anticipate the strongest growth in 2025
Revenue growth predictions reveal sector-specific optimism, with bars and cafes leading the way
In summary
As the hospitality industry faces the challenges of 2025, resilience and adaptability will be key to continued success.
By staying connected to evolving customer preferences and exploring new revenue streams, operators can turn challenges into opportunities for growth and positive change. With the insights shared in this report, the industry can move forward with confidence, continuing to evolve and shape the future of dining and service with creativity and care.
While rising costs and staffing concerns are real hurdles, venues that embrace innovation, refine their offerings and harness technology will be well-equipped to navigate these times.
Download the full report
A Snapshot of Australia’s Dining Habits
Behind the Menu: Emerging Trends and Strategies for 2025
Managing Rising Costs: How are Businesses Respondin
