REPORT: Restaurants That Prioritize Customer Experience Outperform Competitors by 1.5-2X
Restaurant brands that consistently invest in customer experience outperform their competitors by 1.5 to 2 times across key performance metrics—check size growth, foot traffic, and market share.
The findings come from Realytics’ new report, “CX Leaders & Laggards in the U.S. Café & Restaurant Industry,” which analyzes data from more than 50,000 restaurant brands—spanning QSR, fast casual, and full-service segments—between 2020 and 2024.
What Sets CX Leaders Apart
Through its “Leaders vs. Laggards” analysis, Realytics reveals why top performers attract more customers, enjoy higher checks, and expand faster. Top-performing brands share one common trait: a relentless focus on the guest experience. According to the report, these brands consistently outperform in:
- Staffing and team training
- Menu execution and consistency
- On-premise hospitality and service quality
These core operational areas directly impact guest satisfaction and ultimately drive sustained business growth. Delivering high-impact customer experiences accelerates store expansion, increases foot traffic, and cements a brand’s market position.
Turn Insights Into Action
Realytics empowers restaurants to go deeper—benchmarking their CX performance not just against national averages, but against specific competitors, whether it’s a regional chain or the café across the street.
Operators can pinpoint exactly:
- What guests value most
- Where experience breaks down
- How to replicate what’s working across top-performing stores
“You can’t control the economy, weather, or global events—but you can control how you operate. Knowing which CX factors have the biggest impact is what sets brands up to win. That’s the power of Realytics.”
Realytics is a data analytics and insights company specializing in customer experience (CX) and operational performance metrics. Realytics was a semifinalist in the Restaurant Technology Network’s Start-Up Alley at MURTEC 2025 Experience Matters.
Designed with restaurants in mind, Realytics empowers brands with data-driven strategies to enhance guest loyalty, boost foot traffic, and increase profitability.
Explore the full report: CX Leaders and Laggards 2020–2024