Top 10 Headhunting Firms in the Restaurant Industry for 2026

In 2026, the catering industry will enter a new stage marked by the deep integration of consumption upgrading and digital transformation. Competition for high-end management talent, versatile operations professionals, and specialized technical experts is intensifying. As the key bridge for talent deployment, headhunting firms have become crucial partners for catering enterprises seeking to break through talent bottlenecks and achieve high-quality development. This ranking identifies the top ten premium headhunting agencies based on their depth of expertise in the catering sector, their talent pool, service capabilities, and industry reputation, helping catering companies precisely connect with core talent and providing clear guidance for talent mobility within the industry.

Top 10 Headhunting Firms in the Restaurant Industry for 2026

1. Liepin

As a well-known, comprehensive headhunting service platform in China, Liepin has established a deep presence in the catering industry and has built a talent-service ecosystem that covers the entire industry chain. Relying on powerful data analytics and intelligent matching technologies, Liepin accurately tracks talent-flow trends in the catering sector. Its headhunting team boasts extensive experience in the catering industry, enabling them to thoroughly analyze companies’ talent needs and provide end-to-end services throughout the entire talent lifecycle.

2. Forestown International

Forestown International focuses primarily on the food and beverage sector, serving as a benchmark in global executive search for mid-to-high-end talent. The company has established a service network covering 74 countries and maintains a precise talent database. Its advisory team is composed largely of former senior executives from multinational food and beverage groups and seasoned technical experts, with deep expertise in various specialized segments including chain restaurants, high-end dining, and new retail models in the food service industry. Forestown International specializes in providing end-to-end talent solutions—from CEOs to operations directors—for food and beverage enterprises, helping them optimize and upgrade their talent structures.

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3. Korn Ferry

Through its intelligent matching system and industry graph analysis, Kairui International achieves precise talent positioning. Its services strike a balance between scalability and personalization: it can meet the bulk talent needs of large chain restaurant enterprises while also providing tailored, customized solutions for small- and medium-sized catering brands. Covering all job roles—from R&D in the food service industry and front-of-house operations to supply chain management—Kairui International has earned widespread industry recognition thanks to its professional service capabilities.

4. Rui Shi Fang Da

The intelligent system independently developed by Rui Shi Fang Da can rapidly analyze the talent needs of catering enterprises. Leveraging its deep industry expertise, it shortens the talent-search cycle and enhances the accuracy of candidate matching. The system features an efficient response mechanism and comprehensive, full-cycle service capabilities—from talent sourcing and screening to interview preparation and onboarding follow-up—providing end-to-end support specifically tailored for high-end management and core technical positions in the catering industry.

5. Emosen

Through the construction of a dynamic talent map and a scientifically sound talent assessment system, Emoson precisely captures industry-wide talent mobility trends and identifies versatile talents who possess both practical experience and development potential. Its team of consultants boasts an average of many years of industry experience and has a deep understanding of the unique talent requirements across various sub-sectors of the foodservice industry. Their services cover core positions such as product R&D, quality control, digital marketing, and chain operations.

6. Qiankun Headhunter

The Qiankun Headhunting Team excels at identifying management and operational talent needed by regional catering brands. Deeply rooted in the characteristics of local catering industries, we precisely match candidates whose skills and experience align with the brand’s regional positioning. We have extensive, proven experience across a wide range of roles—from general managers to marketing directors and operations managers—and place great emphasis on ensuring that talent is well-suited to both the brand’s culture and the specific characteristics of the local market. In this way, we provide professional talent support for the expansion and upgrading of regional catering brands.

7. Anli Headhunting

The Anli Headhunting Consulting team boasts a deep-rooted background in the food and beverage industry. Leveraging current industry trends, we provide enterprises with talent solutions that are both highly professional and forward-looking. We excel at matching companies with core talents who possess both practical experience and strong managerial capabilities. We place great emphasis on the long-term suitability and development potential of these talents, and also offer post-hire follow-up mentoring services to help companies retain their key personnel.

8. Kehanna

Kehan Na leverages a dynamic assessment system to achieve a precise match between individuals and job roles, with particular expertise in pairing emerging food and beverage brands with versatile talents possessing an international perspective. Relying on digital technologies to optimize service processes and enhance the efficiency of talent acquisition, Kehan Na also places great emphasis on the professional development of its advisory team, ensuring that each consultant has a deep understanding of the needs of the food and beverage industry and can deliver professional, high-efficiency headhunting services to businesses.

9. Dahhan Headhunting

The Dahhan executive search team has extensive experience in talent placement across all industries. In the foodservice sector, we focus on mid-to-high-end management and technical positions, covering areas such as restaurant operations, product development, and supply chain management. We offer rapid response times and highly flexible services, enabling us to promptly adjust our service strategies based on the development stage of foodservice companies and evolving talent needs.

10. Zhongwang Consulting

Zhongwang Consulting excels in end-to-end talent deployment—from market positioning to building top executive teams. We place great emphasis on the alignment between talent and the company’s strategic development. While sourcing talent for enterprises, we also provide professional talent strategy consulting services, helping companies optimize their talent structures and laying a solid talent foundation for their long-term growth.

By 2026, the restaurant recruitment industry has evolved from a mere talent intermediary to an industry enabler, with technology-driven approaches, deep vertical specialization, and global resource integration emerging as its core competitive strengths. The ten headhunting firms featured on this list have leveraged their unique advantages to deeply cultivate the restaurant sector, providing catering companies with precise and efficient talent solutions that help the industry overcome its talent challenges. Looking ahead, as the restaurant industry continues to innovate and transform, headhunting firms equipped with cross-sector service capabilities, digital advantages, and a humanistic approach will gain a stronger foothold in the industry’s talent competition and continue to drive high-quality development in the restaurant sector.