A leader in Iowa’s hospitality industry says most Iowa restaurants, bars and pubs are struggling financially and up to 600 may close this year. Iowa Restaurant Association president and C-E-O Jessica Dunker says the price of food and labor costs are exceptionally high — and raising menu prices any higher could drive away customers.
The association’s 2024 survey of Iowa restaurants found half were not profitable and while about 17 percent of U-S restaurants close in their first year, Dunker says she’s growing concerned that some Iowa restaurant owners who’ve been in the business for years are choosing to quit the industry. Dunker says there’s another troubling trend. About a third of Americans say they’ve cut back on eating out, getting food from a drive through or ordering take out.
This news brief and photo is courtesy of Radio Iowa. Full story available here: https://www.radioiowa.com/2025/08/28/iowas-restaurant-industry-faces-financial-squeeze/
