This study conducts a Systematic Literature Review to identify research gaps and opportunities for value creation in lean operations within the service industry. A comprehensive bibliometric analysis was performed on 79 articles initially sourced from Scopus and Web of Science databases. From these, 30 key articles comprising international journal publications and conference proceedings from 1998 and 2023 were selected for in-depth review based on relevance and recency. The review is structured around core themes, including lean service adoption, associated benefits and challenges. The analysis reveals that while lean practices can enhance operational efficiency and reduce waste by up to 20%, their application in service settings remains constrained by the absence of standardised frameworks and sector-specific approaches. Bibliometric analysis conducted using VOSviewer revealed distinct and influential research clusters, notably those centred on lean transfer, lean evaluation, and lean success factors. The findings underscore a critical need for the development of adaptable frameworks and comprehensive performance metrics tailored to the unique characteristics of service industries. Moreover, integrating human factors is pivotal for achieving sustained operational excellence. This study offers valuable insights for academics, practitioners, and policymakers striving to enhance the effectiveness of lean service implementation, while simultaneously delineating future research directions to further strengthen the field.