Professional kitchens across the hospitality sector are facing growing challenges, from staff shortages and rising costs to increasing sustainability demands and a lack of digitalisation. The Rational Kitchen Barometer 2026, produced by Rational in partnership with Statista, examines how operators are responding to these pressures. The study is based on feedback from 250 kitchen operators in Germany, France, Japan, the UK and the US.
“The catering industry is at a turning point. Decisions can no longer be based on gut feeling; they require reliable data,” said Brendon Land, Managing Director at Rational UK.
The study found that 64% of operators experienced significant staff shortages in the past year, leading to reduced opening hours, increased overtime, longer wait times and higher staff turnover. While businesses are investing in staff retention, process improvements and digital tools, many still face challenges in closing the gap between current efforts and expected outcomes.
Rising operating costs are also affecting profitability. More than half of respondents identified energy prices as a major concern, while many continue to struggle with increasing labour costs. As a result, 75% view energy-efficient equipment as a strategic investment, helping to reduce costs while supporting sustainability goals.
Sustainability continues to grow in importance, with 62% of respondents reporting increased customer demand for more sustainable practices. Many kitchens are already taking action by reducing food waste, using local and seasonal ingredients, and adopting more resource-efficient cleaning methods.
Despite increasing pressure to improve efficiency, many kitchens remain reliant on manual processes. Sixty-five percent of respondents said their operations are not yet fully digitally integrated, and almost half do not use programmable cooking equipment that helps ensure consistent results.
The report highlights intelligent cooking systems, such as Rational’s iCombi Pro and iVario Pro, as potential solutions for improving efficiency, reducing energy and water consumption, streamlining workflows and maintaining consistent food quality, even with limited or less experienced staff.
The Rational Kitchen Barometer 2026 can be downloaded free of charge at:
https://www.rational-online.com/en_gb/cmp/kitchen-barometer/. Visitors can also access business-specific concept recommendations and additional industry insights.
