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8 Reasons Why Restaurants Are Important

Restaurants are an essential part of most of our lives. They provide us with food, of course, but they also offer us a place to socialize, relax, and be entertained. Beyond meeting those needs, these community dining spaces are a vital contributor to local economies and can even lend a sense of neighborhood identity to their community.


Group of friends dining at a restaurant in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood, just outside Downtown Seattle

Unfortunately more than 80% of restaurants fail within their first five years. From staff turnover to high expenses, running a restaurant is difficult and only a small percentage stand the test of time.


Why are restaurants important? We put together a list of eight ways these essential community spaces contribute to their neighborhoods. While these reasons all apply to restaurants, we can assume that most also serve as reasons why food delivery service is important, too.


  1. They share culture. One way to experience another culture is through food. Restaurants that offer food from different cultures can help us to learn about and appreciate different cultures.

  2. They create jobs. The restaurant industry is a major employer, providing jobs for 11.2 million people in the USA. This includes both front-of-house and back-of-house staff, as well as management.

  3. They provide a sense of identity. The restaurants we frequent can say a lot about who we are as people. For example, if we like to go to high-end restaurants, it might say that we value luxury and fine dining. If we prefer to go to casual restaurants, it might say that we value comfort and familiarity.

  4. They support local economies. Restaurants often source their ingredients from local farms and businesses. This helps to support the local economy and create a sense of community. The restaurant industry makes up approximately 4% of national GDP.

  5. They provide us with food. This might be obvious, but restaurants nourish our communities. Restaurants offer a wide variety of food, from casual to fine dining. Some restaurants even provide food to people in need.

  6. They provide a place to socialize. Restaurants are a great place to meet friends and family for a meal. They can also be a good place to meet new people.

  7. They offer a place to relax and be entertained. Restaurants can be a great place to unwind after a long day. They can also be a great place to go for a date or a night out with friends.

  8. They add character to a neighborhood. Neighborhood restaurants can be a pillar for their local community, and some neighborhoods are even defined by the restaurants that call that area home.


Restaurants are an important part of our lives, and they play an important role in our culture. They provide us with food, jobs, and a place to socialize, relax, and be entertained. They also help to support local economies and create a sense of community. In today's increasingly digitally-connected world, restaurants offer a unique space to connect with people in person and to gather around food and drink.

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