Turnover is one of the first things associated with hospitality's workforce. But the 2026 Culinary Agents Talent Survey Insights tells a more hopeful story. Based on responses from 2,637 hospitality professionals across the U.S., the data shows that most people working in restaurants still believe hospitality is worth investing in.
The Industry Outlook (page 11 in the report) reinforces that message. Every segment surveyed scored above neutral when asked about the future of hospitality. That matters. While headlines often focus on labor shortages, the people doing the work every day see opportunity ahead.
Back of House Is Leading the Way
Back of House (BOH) professionals reported the strongest outlook in the survey.
That aligns with another major finding: career growth is the #1 reason BOH professionals choose a job, regardless of experience level. Whether they're just starting out or leading a kitchen, many BOH workers see hospitality as a place to build something long term, not simply the next stop on their resume.
Front of House professionals are positive too, though a bit more measured. Their priorities tend to center on pay and schedule flexibility, two factors that can change quickly depending on the workplace. When those basics feel uncertain, it's understandable that confidence is slightly lower.
Industry Optimism Isn't a One-Year Trend
These findings aren't new. The 2025 Culinary Agents Talent Survey revealed the same pattern. Hospitality professionals remained positive about the future while pointing to familiar challenges as the biggest reasons they'd left previous jobs.
Taken together, the two surveys tell a consistent story: People still want careers in hospitality. Now they're looking for workplaces that make those careers sustainable.
Data sources: 2026 Talent Insights Report and 2025 Talent Survey Insights
