This edition of Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine's Research Roundup features menu price trends, Black Friday gift card sales, workforce lunch costs, top fast foods, and key 2026 culinary and cocktail forecasts. Restaurant Jobs Outlook According to the November 2025 report on the salary outlook for culinary and hospitality careers, restaurant cooks are projected to see the fastest job growth at 15 percent in the next decade. A new analysis by the culinary school Escoffier explored wage growth, job demand, and opportunities across hospitality positions. Employment for chefs is projected to grow about seven percent over the next decade, significantly faster than average. Bartenders had the highest salary compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the last five years, with an increase of 7.2 percent. Lodging managers are projected to have the highest median salary at $106.7K by 2034. This analysis examined the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data and industry research to provide a comprehensive look at the salary outlook for seven key culinary and hospitality positions through 2034. 1. Chefs and head cooks 2024 Median Salary: $60.9K 2019-2024 Salary CAGR: 3.43 percent Estimated 2034 Median Salary: $85.4K Projected Job Growth (2024-2034): seven percent Employment for chefs is projected to grow about seven percent over the next decade, significantly faster than average. This growth, combined with approximately 24,000 annual openings created by retirements and career transitions, translates into many work opportunities. The salary picture also continues to improve, with median pay projected to rise up to $85K by 2034. 2. Food service managers Food service…
