Get the facts with the latest National Statistics

The size, scope and impact of the U.S. restaurant industry


Restaurant Industry Facts at a Glance

  • 9 in 10 restaurants have fewer than 50 employees
  • 7 in 10 restaurants are single-unit operations
  • 8 in 10 restaurant owners started their industry careers in entry-level positions
  • 9 in 10 restaurant managers started in entry-level positions
  • 63% of adults have worked in the restaurant industry, making it the nation’s training ground
  • Restaurants employ more minority managers than any other industry
  • 41% of restaurant firms are owned by minorities – compared to 30% of businesses in the overall private sector.
  • Waitstaff at fullservice restaurants earn a median of $27.00 an hour, with an upper quartile of $41.50 and a lower quartile of $19.00.