Restaurant industry in the U.S. - Statistics & Facts

Food and drinks sales of the restaurant industry in the United States reached 745.61 billion U.S. dollars in 2015 – a long way from the 42.8 billion seen in 1970. This figure was forecasted to rise again in 2016 to more than 782 billion. The number of employees in the restaurant industry is also forecasted to see growth. In 2015, there were approximately 14 million people working within the industry, by 2026 this number is expected to reach over 16 million.


The restaurant industry in the United States is generally comprised of independent or chain full-service and limited-service restaurants. In 2015, full-service restaurants (FSRs), including chains such as Applebee’s and Red Lobster, generated around 247 billion U.S. dollars in food and drink sales. Limited-service restaurants (LSRs) made over 210 billion that year. The LSR category includes well-known fast-food restaurants and coffee chains, like McDonald’s and Starbucks. McDonald’s is the leading chain restaurant in the U.S. in terms of sales, making 35.84 million U.S. dollars in 2015.

More than 195 million U.S. consumers visited a sit-down restaurant in the spring of 2016. During the same time, over 216 million Americans visited a fast-food place. According to the ACSI Index, Chick-fil-A had the highest customer satisfaction ranking out of 17 limited service competitors. In the same year, McDonald's scored the lowest in the study. The ACSI ranking of all full-service restaurants in the United States has remained at around 80 out of 100 between 2007 and 2016, peaking in 2009 with a score of 84.

This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.

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Total U.S. restaurants industry food and drink sales

782.67bn USD

Number of restaurants in the U.S.

620,807
Restaurant industry market overview
Total U.S. restaurants industry food and drink sales 782.67bn USD Change in restaurant industry sales in the U.S. 1.5% Number of employees in the U.S. restaurant industry 14.01m Number of waiting staff in the U.S. restaurant industry 2.56m Food and drink sales of U.S. full-service restaurants 247.10bn USD Expected food and drink expenditure by U.S. full service restaurants 83.08bn USD Food and drink sales of U.S. limited-service restaurants 210.87bn USD
Restaurant infrastructure
Number of restaurants in the U.S. 620,807 Number of quick service restaurant franchise establishments in the U.S. 190,494 Number of full service restaurant franchise establishments in the U.S. 30,898
Eating out habits
Share of Americans who try new restaurants based on recommendations by friends 68% Share of Americans who order Appetizers when dining in a full service restaurant 48% Share of Americans who often use coupons to pay at a restaurant or delivery service 26% Share of Americans who consider dining out at a restaurant as special 38% Share of Americans who always order desserts at a restaurant 10% Share of Americans who prefer American cuisine when dining out 80%

Restaurants in the U.S. - Important statistics

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Restaurant industry market overview
Total U.S. restaurants industry food and drink sales 782.67bn USD Change in restaurant industry sales in the U.S. 1.5% Number of employees in the U.S. restaurant industry 14.01m Number of waiting staff in the U.S. restaurant industry 2.56m Food and drink sales of U.S. full-service restaurants 247.10bn USD Expected food and drink expenditure by U.S. full service restaurants 83.08bn USD Food and drink sales of U.S. limited-service restaurants 210.87bn USD
Restaurant infrastructure
Number of restaurants in the U.S. 620,807 Number of quick service restaurant franchise establishments in the U.S. 190,494 Number of full service restaurant franchise establishments in the U.S. 30,898
Eating out habits
Share of Americans who try new restaurants based on recommendations by friends 68% Share of Americans who order Appetizers when dining in a full service restaurant 48% Share of Americans who often use coupons to pay at a restaurant or delivery service 26% Share of Americans who consider dining out at a restaurant as special 38% Share of Americans who always order desserts at a restaurant 10% Share of Americans who prefer American cuisine when dining out 80%

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