The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest provisional figures on restaurant receipts and purchases today (November 3).

     The value of total receipts of the restaurants sector in the third quarter of 2026, provisionally estimated at $27.5 billion, increased by 3.1% over a year earlier. Over the same period, the provisional estimate of the value of total purchases by restaurants increased by 5.4% to $9.0 billion.

     After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total restaurant receipts increased by 2.1% in the third quarter of 2026 compared with a year earlier.

     Analysed by type of restaurant and comparing the third quarter of 2026 with the third quarter of 2025, total receipts of Chinese restaurants increased by 1.2% in value and 0.3% in volume. Total receipts of non-Chinese restaurants increased by 7.1% in value and 6.1% in volume. Total receipts of fast food shops increased by 0.6% in value, but decreased by 0.4% in volume. Total receipts of bars increased by 1.0% in value and 0.2% in volume. As for miscellaneous eating and drinking places, total receipts increased by 2.1% in value and 1.3% in volume.

     Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimate of total restaurant receipts increased by 2.5% in value and 1.6% in volume in the third quarter of 2026 compared with the preceding quarter.

     Comparing the first three quarters of 2026 with the same period in 2025, total restaurant receipts increased by 1.5% in value and 0.7% in volume.

     To facilitate further understanding of the short-term business performance of the restaurants sector, statistics in respect of the restaurant receipts and purchases in individual months of the reference quarter are also compiled.

     Analysed by month, it was provisionally estimated that the value of total receipts of the restaurants sector increased by 0.4%, 2.0% and 6.9% respectively in July, August and September 2026, compared with the corresponding months in 2025.

     After discounting the effect of price changes, it was provisionally estimated that the volume of total restaurant receipts decreased by 0.4%, increased by 1.0% and increased by 5.9% respectively in July, August and September 2026, compared with the corresponding months in 2025.

Commentary

     A Government spokesman said that business of restaurants improved in the third quarter. The value of total restaurant receipts increased by an accelerated 3.1% over a year earlier, with growth registering across all types of restaurants. Growth in restaurant receipts picked up through the quarter, reflecting the solid local consumption sentiment. The earlier arrival of Mid-Autumn Festival this year also helped boost the receipts in September.

     Looking ahead, sustained solid economic expansion and growth in labour earnings will bolster local consumption and therefore benefit business of restaurants. A series of upcoming mega-events and festive celebrations in various districts, together with continued growth in inbound tourism, will also help. The Government will continue to monitor the potential impacts of the evolving external headwinds on the local restaurant businesses closely.

Further information

     Table 1 presents the revised figures of restaurant receipts by type of restaurant and total purchases by the restaurants sector for the second quarter of 2026 as well as the provisional figures for the third quarter of 2026.

     Table 2 and Table 3 present the revised value and volume indices respectively of restaurant receipts by type of restaurant for the second quarter of 2026 and the provisional indices for the third quarter of 2026.

     Table 4 presents the year-on-year rate of change in total restaurant receipts in value and volume terms based on the original quarterly series, as well as the quarter-to-quarter rate of change based on the seasonally adjusted series.

     The revised figures on restaurant receipts and purchases for the third quarter of 2026 (with breakdown by month) will be released through the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode540.html) and relevant publications of the Department from December 18, 2026.

     The classification of restaurants follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC) Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into different industry classes.

     More detailed statistics are given in the "Report on Quarterly Survey of Restaurant Receipts and Purchases". Users can browse and download the publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080002&scode=540).

     Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact the Distribution Services Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7401; email: qsr@censtatd.gov.hk).

Ends/Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:30

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