The restaurant industry continues to face several challenges this year, as tourism has not fully recovered, labour shortages persist and costs remain high. The Economic Intelligence Center (EIC) of Siam Commercial Bank forecasts restaurant industry growth of 3.2% this year, following an estimated uptick of 3.3% in 2025. The report also highlighted industry challenges, particularly rising costs, including increases in the daily minimum wage and higher expenses related to integrating technology into business operations. According to the EIC, limited-service restaurants such as fast food and shabu-shabu chains are expected to continue expanding, with projected growth of 2.7% in 2026. However, full-service restaurants are expected to face more challenges than other types of restaurants because customers remain cautious about spending, said the EIC.

Source: Bangkok Post February 07, 2026 02:51 UTC