Staff shortages and expensive food. How restaurants survive during the war

Restaurants across Ukraine saw fewer visitors in the first half of 2025. Some establishments have seen a 15% drop in traffic, several restaurateurs told LIGA.net. This is a continuation of last year's trend. In the second half of 2024, the number of guests in establishments decreased by 7%, according to Poster. It automates restaurants and cafes, with a sample of more than 8,500 cafes and restaurants across Ukraine.

The profitability of the restaurant business during the war is also a big question mark, says Olga Nasonova, founder of Restaurant Consulting. According to her, only 35-40% of establishments in Ukraine are profitable. The rest, she says, are on the verge of survival .

The correspondent of LIGA.net found out how restaurants survive during the war Why did people start going to restaurants less? And what tools are used by Gastrofamily, Mafia, and Chornomorkaka to increase the number of people in dining halls .