Research
May 05, 2025

New Association report provides a demographic profile of restaurant owners

The accessibility of restaurant ownership across demographic groups illustrates the entrepreneurial opportunities in the industry.

The U.S. restaurant industry has a higher proportion of minority- and women-owned businesses than the overall private sector. Those are among the findings of a new National Restaurant Association Data Brief, which provides a demographic profile of restaurant owners in the U.S.

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 48% of restaurant firms are owned by minorities. That compares to just 36% of businesses in the overall private sector.

19% of restaurant firms are Asian-owned, 16% are Hispanic-owned, and 16% are Black- or African American-owned. Each of these groups have a higher ownership representation in the restaurant industry than they do in the overall private sector.

Hawaii, Texas, Georgia, California and Florida have the highest proportion of restaurants that are owned by minorities.


One-half of restaurant businesses are owned by women

49% of restaurant firms are at least 50% owned by women – compared to 44% of businesses in the overall private sector. 

39% of restaurant firms are majority-owned by women, while 10% are equally owned by women and men. 

Montana, Georgia, Louisiana, Rhode Island, Mississippi and Tennessee have the highest proportion of restaurants that are at least 50% owned by women.


Other highlights: 

  • 36% of restaurant owners were born outside of the United States.
  • 4% of restaurant businesses are owned by veterans.
  • 28% of restaurant owners are under the age of 45.
  • 33% of restaurant owners have a high school diploma or less.