Spanish Restaurant Sector Passes with Flying Colors in 2023

According to the report “Restaurant Results 2023” by Delectatech, establishments in the Horeca channel were 10.68% fuller in 2023 compared to 2022. More than half of the bars and restaurants, 54.98%, increased their occupancy and average ticket, with venues in the 15 to 30€ range achieving higher occupancy rates than the rest. Navarra leads with 60% of bars and restaurants increasing their occupancy and average ticket.

The Spanish restaurant sector is moving quickly and upward. Consumption outside the home is increasing. The desire to go out, share with family and friends, and enjoy our gastronomy has not been diminished by the inflationary situation we are experiencing.
More than half of the bars and restaurants increased their occupancy and average ticket last year, according to the report “Restaurant Results 2023” by Delectatech, which analyzed a sample of over 250,000 establishments in Spain.
Specifically, this study details that in 2023, there was an average percentage growth of +10.68% in the occupancy of restaurant establishments in Spain compared to 2022, due to a significant increase in occupancy in the second half of the year, an 18.8% percentage over 2022, between June and December (with July standing out, showing a greater difference in occupancy compared to 2022, with venues being 21.10% fuller than the same month the previous year). Additionally, it should be noted that this increase is mainly due to the rise in tourism.

What types of hospitality establishments have recorded higher occupancy?
Delectatech mentions in its report that the largest group of establishments in Spanish restaurants are those with the lowest average price range (less than 15€ per customer), representing 60.33% of the total census of establishments. On the other hand, mid-range establishments (15€ to 30€ per customer) account for 32.68% of the total, and higher mid-range (30-60€) for 6.21%. Gastronomic restaurants, with an average price above 60€, represent 0.77% of the restaurant census in our country.
Among all of them, restaurants with an average ticket between 15 and 30€ experienced the highest increase in occupancy, although in the summer, the occupancy of more expensive establishments also increased. However, it should be noted that 6 out of 10 restaurant establishments in Spain have an average ticket below 15€. Additionally, the report mentions that during peak occupancy and tourism times, such as summer and Christmas, organized restaurants gained more market share compared to independent ones.

What has been the distribution of this occupancy concerning the geographical area?
Occupancy in large capitals is growing below the Spanish average, except for the cities of Seville and Granada. The average percentage growth in Spain is 10.68%, with Granada reaching a growth of 12.04% and Seville 12.60% due to the increase in tourism, surpassing Madrid and Barcelona.