National Statistics

Restaurant Industry Facts at a Glance

• $659 billion: Restaurant industry sales in 2020, down $240 billion from expected levels 
• 12.5 million: Restaurant industry employees in 2020, down 3.1 million from expected levels
• 110,000: Restaurant locations that are temporarily or permanently closed
• 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
• Restaurants employ more minority managers than any other industry

Download the full 2021 State of the Restaurant Industry Report