hypex Inc., which specializes in corporate recruitment marketing and PR, announced the results of its 'Employment Consciousness Survey in the F&B Industry' conducted in April 2026.

Survey Summary - 86.0% of young talent stated that 'Recruitment SNS increases their interest in applying.' - SNS is evolving from a 'search tool' to an 'information verification tool' integrated with AI. - Cross-checking behavior among professionals aged 25+ is nearly triple that of those aged 24 and under. - The key to success is 'resolving information asymmetry'—transparency is paramount.

Background With F&B bankruptcies hitting 1,002 in 2025 (up 1.0% YoY), marking the first time in 30 years since 1996 that they have exceeded 1,000, severe labor shortages are making effective recruitment urgent. hypex surveyed young talent regarding their motivations and information-gathering habits to address these challenges.

Key Findings ### 1. 86.0% Agree Quality Social Media Content 'Boosts Desire to Apply' The effectiveness of recruitment SNS was highlighted by 86.0% of respondents. Use of social media as a recruitment method by companies has nearly doubled from 9.8% in 2021 to 21.2% in 2025.

### 2. Realities, Including 'Work Difficulty and Failures,' Are in High Demand The most requested content was 'specific operational explanations' (219 respondents), followed by 'real stories about gaps before and after joining' (167 respondents). Free-form responses included: 'Seeing the team overcome a busy lunch shift realistically like a battlefield actually made me want to work there.'

### 3. Integration with AI Turns SNS from 'Search' to 'Verification Tool' While SNS serves as the entry point, job seekers now use reviews, other media, and AI to cross-check posts. Approximately 30% of job seekers use AI to verify information.

### 4. Cross-Checking with SNS and AI: 25+ Age Group Leads by 3x The cross-check implementation rate reached 43.4% for those aged 25+, roughly three times the rate of those aged 24 and under (15.0%). Overly polished or shallow official messaging poses a risk of undermining brand trust.

Conclusion: The Winning Strategy is 'Resolving Information Asymmetry' Companies must shift from messaging designed to 'look good' to messaging designed to 'be understood without misunderstanding.' Transparent communication regarding reality, metrics, and challenges is the essential posture for gaining trust.

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Survey