20+ Absolutely Vital Restaurant Industry Statistics in 2024

The restaurant industry continuously adapts to changing societal needs and customer tastes.

It encompasses various establishments, from traditional family-owned diners serving home-cooked meals to trendy cafes offering freshly roasted coffee, Instagram-worthy dishes, and refreshments. 

Fast food chains have redefined the notion of quick service, and fine-dining restaurants captivate diners with culinary artistry and gastronomic experiences.

Do you want to know the latest restaurant industry statistics, sales figures, employment trends, challenges, and how many restaurants there are in the US?

This article is packed with exciting insights about that.

Let’s get into it.

Key Statistics

• The total sales of the US restaurant industry are forecasted to hit $997 billion in 2023, up from $898 billion the prior year.
• Around 30% of restaurant and food service employees are aged 18 to 24.
• 60% of consumers spend up to $50 per online food order.
• The median salary of restaurant and food service employees is approximately $12 per hour.
• Waitstaffs and bartenders are mainly female, accounting for 70% and 57.7%.
• 90% of diners check restaurants’ social media and websites before dining.
• In 2023, there were 749,404 restaurants in the United States
• McDonald’s is the top chain restaurant in the US in 2021, with nearly $46 billion in sales.
• There were more than 12 million restaurant industry employees in 2022, and is expected to reach 17 million in 2030.
• Most workers in the US restaurant industry are white, accounting for over 51%.

Top Restaurant Industry Statistics in 2024

1. The Restaurant Performance Index of the US Restaurant Industry Stood At 101.7 in March 2023

As of March 2023, the restaurant performance index of the restaurant industry in the United States reached 101.7, a slight decrease from 103.7 the previous year.

The Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) measures the overall health and performance of the restaurant industry in the US per month.

An index value above 100 indicates expansion or growth, while an index below 100 means a period of contraction or decline.

The RPI uses data from a monthly survey with factors including capital expenditures, sales, traffic, and labor.

By having a scale with 100 as a neutral point, the RPI interprets whether the restaurant industry is growing, shrinking, or maintaining its status quo across different metrics.

Here are the restaurant performance index scores from 2019 to 2023:

• The restaurant industry performance index in the US in March 2019 stood at 101.9
• The restaurant industry performance index in the US in March 2020 stood at 95
• The restaurant industry performance index in the US in March 2021 stood at 105.1
• The restaurant industry performance index in the US in March 2022 stood at 103.7
• The restaurant industry performance index in the US in March 2023 stood at 101.7

(Statista)

2. The Sales of the Restaurant Industry in the US Reached $898 Billion in 2022

In 2022, the restaurant industry in the US generated approximately $898 billion in total sales, up from $731.5 billion the prior year.

It is forecasted to reach $997 billion in 2023.

The full-service segment’s sales hit $220.8 billion in 2021, while the limited-service segment’s sales were $313.6 billion during the same year.

The bars and taverns also contributed $13.9 billion to the total sales in 2021, and other food service establishments contributed $183.2 billion.

Below are the total sales of the restaurant industry in the US from 2019 to 2023:

• The sales of the US restaurant industry reached $864.3 billion in 2019
• The sales of the US restaurant industry reached $659 billion in 2020
• The sales of the US restaurant industry reached $731.5 billion in 2021
• The sales of the US restaurant industry reached $898 billion in 2022
• The sales of the US restaurant industry are forecasted to reach $997 billion in 2023

(Zippia, Restaurant.org)

3. Employees Aged 18-24 Are the Primary Employees of Restaurants and Food Services, Accounting for 30.2%

Most of the US restaurant industry workforce is from the younger generation.

About 30.2% of restaurant and food service employees are 18 to 24 years old.

Around 44.2% of this age group work in the food preparation and counter, while 42% work as waitstaff.

There are 15.6% who work as managers and 27.2% as supervisors.

Let’s take a look at the age distribution of restaurant and food service employees in the US:

• 7.3% of the restaurant and food service workforce in the US are aged 16-17
• 30.2% of the restaurant and food service workforce in the US are aged 18-24
• 22.8% of the restaurant and food service workforce in the US are aged 25-34
• 15.7% of the restaurant and food service workforce in the US are aged 35-44
• 12.2% of the restaurant and food service workforce in the US are aged 45-54
• 8.9% of the restaurant and food service workforce in the US are aged 55-64
• 3.0% of the restaurant and food service workforce in the US are aged 65 and older

(National Restaurant Association)

4. Six in Ten Consumers Spend up to $50 Per Online Food Order.

Online food ordering became highly relevant to the restaurant industry due to its operational efficiency and revenue generation.

Restaurants that offer online food ordering can reach a broader customer base and provide convenience without leaving their homes or offices.

The report shows that around 60% of consumers spend $1 up to $50 per online food order.

The following are the average spending of consumers per online food order:

• 26% spend up to $25 per online food order
• 34% spend up to $50 per online food order
• 12% spend up to $75 per online food order
• 14% spend up to $100 per online food order
• 6% spend up to $150 per online food order
• 6% spend up to $300 per online food order

(Zippia)

5. The Median Hourly Wage for Restaurant and Food Service Workers is Around $12

According to Zippia’s data, more than 7% of the US workforce is in the restaurant industry.

The median salary of these restaurant and food service workers is around $12 per hour.

The median hourly wage differs per position.

Here are some of the median hourly wages of restaurant workers:

• The median hourly wage of Food Servers is around $12.46
• The median hourly wage of Bartender Helpers and Dining Room/Cafeteria Attendants is around $12.03
• The median hourly wage of restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop Hosts and Hostesses is around $11.48
• The median hourly wage of Fast Food and Counter Workers is around $11.47

(Zippia)

6. Full-Service Restaurants’ Waitstaff Earn a Median Hourly Wage of $27

In a full-service restaurant, diners are seated at tables, and waitstaff takes the orders, serves the food and drinks, and assists them with their needs throughout the dining experience.

This type of restaurant has a diverse menu with appetizers, main courses, desserts, and beverages. 

The waitstaff brings the bill to the diners at the end of the meal.

Some full-service restaurants include fine dining, seafood, family restaurants, and steakhouses.

Full-service restaurants’ waitstaff can earn a median wage of $27 per hour.

This hourly wage represents the midpoint.

Some waitstaff earn around $41.50 per hour, and others earn around $19.

(National Restaurant Association)

7. Approximately 54% of Restaurant Workers in the US are Females.

Based on the National Restaurant Association’s report, 54.5% of restaurant workers in the US are females, while the remaining 45.5% are males.

Most of the chefs are male, accounting for 80.5%.

Waitstaffs and bartenders are mainly female, accounting for 70% and 57.7%.

In terms of higher positions in restaurants, 50.7% of managers are male, while 56% of supervisors are female.

(National Restaurant Association)

8. Around 90% of Consumers Check Restaurants’ Socials and Sites Before Dining.

Online presence for restaurants is significant in today’s modern world.

Statistics show that 90% of consumers check restaurants’ social media and websites before dining.

About 33% read the restaurant reviews and ratings before making a decision.

This trend emphasizes that restaurants without an online presence may struggle to attract customers effectively.

Online reviews and ratings from previous customers help diners choose where and what to eat.

75% of diners decline restaurants with negative reviews about cleanliness.

Therefore, it is significant for restaurants to be listed and have positive ratings and reviews on popular review platforms like Yelp, Google, Trip Advisor, Facebook, OpenTable, and Foursquare.

(Smallbizgenius)

9. More Than Half of Restaurant Operators Stated that Staffing is the Leading Challenge They Encounter

Restaurant operators encounter challenges in the ever-evolving food service industry, including labor shortages, changing consumer preferences, competition, market saturation, increasing food costs, online reviews, reputation management, and economic uncertainties.

Statistics reveal that staffing is one of the leading challenges restaurant operators encounter, with approximately 51% identifying it as a significant issue.

35% of restaurant operators highlighted that training staff is the top concern.

Staffing includes recruitment, hiring, training, and managing employees to fill specific positions. 

Effective staffing is essential for the success of businesses and organizations as it ensures the right people with the right skills are in place to carry out the job and workload efficiently.

(Toast)

10. Eight in Ten Restaurant Managers Started Their Careers in the Restaurant Industry as Entry-Level Workers

The research found that eight in ten restaurant managers started their careers in the restaurant industry as entry-level workers or from lower-level positions.

Spending considerable time in various roles and gaining insights and experience in different aspects of restaurant operations, these employees possess a significant advantage for managerial positions compared to candidates from different backgrounds.

(Smallbizgenius)

11. The Average Shift Length of Restaurant Workers is 6.4 Hours

Restaurant workers spend an average of 6.4 hours per shift.

This average shift length varies significantly depending on the type of restaurant, the operating hours, local labor laws, and the specific role or position of the employee.

Below is the list of the average shift length by role:

• The average shift length of a Chef is around 7.72 hours
• The average shift length of a Manager is around 7.66 hours
• The average shift length of a Bartender is around 6.86 hours
• The average shift length of a Cook is around 6.81 hours
• The average shift length of a Dishwasher is around 6.21 hours
• The average shift length of a Server is around 5.97 hours
• The average shift length of a Busser is around 5.84 hours
• The average shift length of a Host is around 5.61 hours

(7Shifts)

How Many Restaurants are there in the US?

12. There Were Over 660,000 Restaurants in the US in 2018

The number of restaurants in the US exceeded 660,000 during the Spring of 2018, up by around 2% from the previous period.

This figure includes the count of quick-service restaurants and full-service restaurants.

Here are the total count of restaurants in the US from 2013 to 2018:

• There were 637,584 restaurants in the US in the Spring of 2014
• There were 629,488 restaurants in the US in the Fall of 2015
• There were 624,301 restaurants in the US in the Spring of 2016
• There were 647,288 restaurants in the US in the Fall of 2017
• There were 660,755 restaurants in the US in the Spring of 2018

(Statista)

13. The Number of Chain Restaurants in the United States is Nearly 102,000 in 2021

As of 2021, there are 101,811 chain restaurants in the United States.

When combined with independent restaurants, the total number of restaurant locations exceeds 1 million.

Unfortunately, the pandemic brought negative impacts on the restaurant industry, including the declining number of restaurants and revenue.

The total sales of the restaurant industry in the country in 2021 amounted to only $564.8 billion, down by $334.2 billion from the pre-pandemic projection.

(Finances Online)

14. Almost 157,000 Single Location Full-Service Restaurants are in the US in 2023, up by 2% from the Prior Year.

As of 2023, the number of single-location full-service restaurants in the US reaches 156,715, up by 2% from the prior year.

Among the states in the country, California, New York, and Texas have the highest count of single-location full-service restaurants.

California has 22,983, New York has 14,472, and Texas has 13,396.

Comparable to other businesses, this type of restaurant allocate spending towards essential elements, including employees’ wages, purchases, rent, and utilities.

Statistics show that they spend 33.4% on wages, 38.4% on purchases, and 5.7% on rent and utilities.

(IBISWorld)

15. Fast Food Restaurants in the US Exceeded 201,000 in 2023

The total number of fast-food restaurants in the US reached 201,865 in 2023, representing a 0.9% growth from the previous year.

California, Texas, and New York have the most number of these establishments, with approximately 38,372 in California, 26,066 in Texas, and 202,812 in New York.

The most significant costs for fast-food restaurants are wages, accounting for 26.4%, followed by purchases, at 42.6%, and rent and utilities, at 6.2%.

(IBISWorld)

16. McDonald’s is the Leading Chain Restaurant in the US in 2021, with $45.96 Billion in Sales.

Among the chain restaurants in the United States, McDonald’s led the list in terms of sales.

This fast-food chain recorded almost $46 billion in sales in 2021.

Starbucks comes next, with over $24 billion, and Chick-fil-A, with roughly $16 billion.

The following are some of the leading chain restaurants in the US in 2021 by sales:

• McDonald’s generated sales of $45.96 billion in the US in 2021
• Starbucks generated sales of $24.56 billion in the US in 2021
• Chick-fil-A generated sales of $16.67 billion in the US in 2021
• Taco Bell generated sales of $12.62 billion in the US in 2021
• Wendy’s generated sales of $11.11 billion in the US in 2021
• Dunkin’ generated sales of $10.42 billion in the US in 2021
• Burger King generated sales of $10.03 billion in the US in 2021
• Subway generated sales of $9.4 billion in the US in 2021

(Statista)

17. The Restaurant Industry Employee Count in the US Reached 12.5 Million in 2022

Employees are the face of the restaurant industry as they directly interact with diners.

They play a crucial role in delivering excellent customer service, which impacts the overall dining experience and customer satisfaction.

The restaurant workforce, particularly chefs and kitchen staff, prepare and present the food, while servers and hosts influence the customer experience. 

The number of restaurant industry employees in the US surpassed 12 million in 2022 and is projected to reach 17.2 million by the end of 2030.

Here are the numbers of restaurant industry employees in the US from 2010 to 2022:

• There were 12.68 million employees in the US restaurant industry in 2010
• There were 12.92 million employees in the US restaurant industry in 2012
• There were 13.54 million employees in the US restaurant industry in 2014
• There were 14.70 million employees in the US restaurant industry in 2016
• There were 13.37 million employees in the US restaurant industry in 2018
• There were 11.26 million employees in the US restaurant industry in 2020
• There were 12.50 million employees in the US restaurant industry in 2022

(Statista, Smallbizgenius)

18. About 90% of Restaurants in the US Have Fewer Than 50 Employees.

According to the National Restaurant Association’s 2020 report, about 90% of restaurants in the United States employ fewer than 50 employees. 

On the other hand, larger chain restaurants and franchises have higher employee counts due to their expansive dining areas and diverse menus, requiring complex preparation and cooking processes.

(National Restaurant Association, Smallbizgenius)

19. More Than Half of the Restaurant and Food Service Workforce in the US are White

The primary workers in the US restaurant industry are White, accounting for 51.5%.

Most are Managers, Supervisors, Chefs, Cooks, Waitstaff, Bartenders, Food Preparation, and Counter Workers.

Let’s see the distribution of restaurant and food service employees in the US by race and ethnicity:

• 51.5% of US restaurant and food service employees are White
• 25.1% of US restaurant and food service employees are Hispanic
• 13.1% of US restaurant and food service employees are Black or African American
• 6.7% of US restaurant and food service employees are Asian
• 0.6% of US restaurant and food service employees are Native American
• 0.2% of US restaurant and food service employees are Native Hispanic and Pacific Islander
• 2.7% of US restaurant and food service employees have two or more races

(National Restaurant Association)

20. There Were 83,501 Eating and Drinking Establishments in California in 2022

Restaurants play a significant role in driving the US economy.

The restaurant and food service industry is a major job creator, generating employment opportunities in different States and providing a platform for career growth. 

In California, there were 83,501 eating and drinking establishments in 2022, generating an estimated $135.8 billion in sales.

Here are the numbers of eating and drinking place locations in some States in 2022:

• There were 83,501 eating and drinking place locations in California in 2022
• There were 48,808 eating and drinking place locations in New York in 2022
• There were 47,052 eating and drinking place locations in Florida in 2022
• There were 16,379 eating and drinking place locations in Washington in 2022

(Restaurant.org)

Conclusion

The restaurant industry is a diverse and dynamic sector that contributes to the country’s economy, culture, and social fabric of communities.

It continues to evolve and innovate, from small family-owned eateries to large chain restaurants and fine-dining establishments.

These restaurants serve as social hubs, fostering memories in the diners’ hearts.

Fueling this industry is an unwavering passion for food, customer satisfaction, and commitment to creating memorable dining experiences.

The restaurant industry statistics and exciting information presented here make your mind full.

From the number of restaurants there are in the US to sales figures, performance index, employment trends, and industry challenges.

Sources

Statista	ZIPPIA	National Research Association
Statista 2	SmallBizGenius	National Research Association 2
Statista 3	Toast	National Research Association 3
Statista 4	7shifts	National Research Association 4
UBISWorld	FinancesOnline	National Research Association 5
UBISWorld 2		National Research Association 6