Local Restaurants Are Struggling: Here's How to Help

Local (or independent) restaurants are feeling a serious squeeze. After years of cost pressures, soaring food and labor expenses have eaten into already thin margins, and many operators have hit a ceiling on how much they can raise prices without losing customers.

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Hiring and keeping good staff remains tough, technology and delivery fees cut into profits, and shifting diner expectations mean owners are constantly juggling quality, price, and experience just to stay open.

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All of this has made running a local restaurant harder than ever — and that’s why so many beloved neighborhood spots are struggling to survive

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As consumers, we actually have more power than we think. Here’s how you can meaningfully help a local restaurant:

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1. Dine in (or order directly)

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Third-party delivery apps often take significant commission fees. Order directly from the restaurant’s website or call in your order. This will help them keep a larger portion of the revenue. If you can dine in, that’s even better. Add some beverages and add-ons to your order as they tend to carry higher margins.

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If you want to support your local restaurants more and get delivery less, check out our current Collective Challenge in the Commons app. Set your March spend limit for delivery and track your progress.

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2. Visit during off-peak hours

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Lunches, early dinners, and weekdays are often slower. Show up during these times as it helps smooth revenue and staffing pressure.

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3. Be thoughtful about discounts

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We all love a deal, but independent restaurants can’t compete with chain-level discounting. Support regular pricing when you can, as it helps sustain fair wages and ingredient quality.

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4. Tip fairly and treat staff well

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Labor shortages are real. Fair tipping and basic kindness improve retention and morale, which helps restaurants avoid constant rehiring and training costs.

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5. Leave reviews and post about them

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Leave a thoughtful Google review or post an Instagram story. It can drive real foot traffic, and it costs you nothing. Word of mouth is still one of the strongest growth tools for local spots.

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6. Buy gift cards

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Gift cards provide immediate cash flow — something many small restaurants struggle with.

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7. Support limited menus and price adjustments

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If a favorite dish disappears or prices inch up, it’s often survival, not greed. Be a little flexible to give owners room to adapt to rising costs.

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