National Statistics

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

$799 billion: Restaurant industry sales in 2021, down $65 billion from 2019's pre-pandemic levels
14.5 million: Restaurant industry employees at the end of 2021, down 1 million from pre-pandemic levels
90,000: Restaurant locations temporarily or permanently closed because of the pandemic
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
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 the highest paid group making $41.50 an hour and the lowest, $19.00 an hour.