By Kevin Knudson

72% of Americans say they go out to eat at restaurants to avoid cooking at home.

As we approach the end of 2025 and begin planning for 2026, I wanted to share some insights on the consumer dining industry, a sector projected to reach a staggering $1.5 trillion in revenue for 2025. This figure, equivalent to a stack of $100 bills 631 miles high, highlights the immense scale of the industry, even before factoring in potential inflation and new embargo fees.

My experience in this industry dates back to 1978 when I co-founded DAVINCI’S (Davincis.com) Pizza, and later, GREENFIELD’S CAFE (GreenFieldsCafe.com) in 2008. Over the years, I’ve been involved in opening more than 20 business locations, including my first Ghost Kitchen in 2022, a trend that has accelerated significantly since Covid.

The dining landscape has undergone continuous changes since the initial impact of Covid in 2020. In 2023, we saw an all-time high for the share of food dollars spent “away from home” at 55.1%. By 2024, consumers were still allocating 55% of their food budget to dining out, with the average American dining out 5 times per month, up from 3 times in 2023.

Despite these strong projections, the food service industry is currently struggling to redefine itself. Inflation, weather events, tariffs and other global events are expected to continue into 2025, posing significant challenges. Over 50% of businesses, including national chains, are struggling to make a profit. We’ve also faced local challenges, such as the 2% arena tax in Lincoln, which negatively impacted our restaurant sales.

I firmly believe that technology must be the driving force for all businesses to navigate these challenges and seize opportunities. At DAVINCI’S, technology has been crucial to our success. We were among the first to offer online ordering and computerized cash registers. In the past 12 months, we’ve rolled out new phone systems, point-of-sale systems, R365 accounting systems, and digital communication boards. At QTEQ Computers, another one of my businesses, we are even exploring offering robots for sale. I am passionate about technology and would be happy to discuss the long list of new technologies we’ve deployed and are developing in 2025 and 2026.

My “20/20 Rule” aims for a net 20% profit and 20% growth per year in overall sales for my businesses, which can double a company’s sales in approximately 3.6 years. This requires setting S.M.A.R.T. goals and utilizing various tools, including continuous learning. While resources like “Traction” and “Rocket Fuel” were valuable, today we need to focus on understanding and implementing advancements like ChatGPT AI and other emerging technologies.

“Visioneer” – Kevin Knudson