Gitnux/Report 2026

Foodservice Industry Statistics

Restaurant and foodservice spending hit $1.2 trillion and accounted for 6.0% of all U.S. consumer outlays in 2024, but the pay and churn behind that demand stay sharply uneven. From fast food wages at $16.20 and cooks at $18.35 to 8.5 million job openings and a 2.3% restaurant closure rate, this page connects labor, costs, pricing pressure, and how customers book and pay to the outcomes operators are actually seeing.
29Statistics
29Sources
9Sections
6mRead
2 mo agoUpdated
Foodservice Industry Statistics
James OkoroWritten by James Okoro·Edited by Min-ji Park·Fact-checked by Jonathan Hale
Last verified May 13, 2026
Verified via a 4-step process
01Source

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02Verify

Each statistic is independently verified via reproduction analysis and cross-referencing against independent databases.

03Grade

Figures are graded by cross-model consensus. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited.

04Cite

Every figure carries a primary source. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates so the report can be cited.

Read our full methodology →

Statistics that fail independent corroboration are excluded.

Next review Nov 2026
U.S. food services and drinking places still command a sizable slice of household spending, with 6.0% going to the category in 2024. At the same time, payroll, wages, and job pressure pull in different directions, from minimum wage sensitivity to fast food counter earnings and ongoing unemployment in key occupations. The mix becomes even more revealing when you compare where restaurants earn revenue, how energy costs land in the operating model, and how consumer habits like checking nutrition and choosing contactless pickup are reshaping demand.

Key Takeaways

  • $5,785 per household U.S. annual restaurant & other food away-from-home spending in 2023 (expenditure per household category).
  • $1.2 trillion U.S. restaurant and foodservice spending in 2023 (economic indicator for the sector).
  • 6.0% of U.S. total consumer spending was on food services and drinking places in 2024 (share of household expenditures).
  • 3.8 million people employed in food services and drinking places in April 2023 (BLS employment level).
  • 16.1% of workers in food services and drinking places were paid at or below the federal minimum wage (distribution share in 2022).
  • 3.3% unemployment rate among food preparation and serving-related occupations in 2023 (BLS occupational unemployment indicator).
  • 6.9% of the U.S. CPI basket is tied to food away from home in 2024 (relative weight).
  • 3.1% year-over-year increase in U.S. food prices for restaurant meals in 2023 (inflation measure reported by BLS).
  • 2.9% of restaurant revenue was attributed to packaging and supplies in 2023 (industry benchmark).
  • 41.0% of total food loss and waste occurred at the consumer level globally in 2019 (FAO estimate).
  • 65% of consumers report checking nutrition information when available at restaurants (survey-reported behavior).
  • 1.4% year-over-year change in bankruptcy filings for restaurants in 2024 (court/industry tracking metric).
  • 33% of consumers prefer contactless pickup in 2023 (survey behavior).
  • 65% of consumers said they would pay more for better service in 2024 (survey share).
  • 48% of restaurant operators planned to expand their digital ordering in 2024 (planning survey share).

In 2023 and 2024, US foodservice spending stayed strong while labor and costs reshaped the sector.

Related reading

01 · Category

Market Size3 stats

01
$5,785per household U.S. annual restaurant & other food away-from-home spending in 2023 (expenditure per household category).
02
$1.2 trillion U.S. restaurant and foodservice spending in 2023 (economic indicator for the sector).
03
6.0% of U.S. total consumer spending was on food services and drinking places in 2024 (share of household expenditures).
Interpretation

Market Size Interpretation

In the Market Size category, the U.S. foodservice industry reached about $1.2 trillion in 2023 and translated into $5,785 per household annual spending, while in 2024 food services and drinking places accounted for 6.0% of all consumer spending, underscoring its large and sustained share of household budgets.

02 · Category

Labor & Employment11 stats

01
3.8 million people employed in food services and drinking places in April 2023 (BLS employment level).
02
16.1% of workers in food services and drinking places were paid at or below the federal minimum wage (distribution share in 2022).
03
3.3% unemployment rate among food preparation and serving-related occupations in 2023 (BLS occupational unemployment indicator).
04
$16.20average hourly wage for fast food and counter workers in the U.S. in May 2023 (BLS OES).
05
$18.35average hourly wage for restaurant cooks in the U.S. in May 2023 (BLS OES).
06
$15.48average hourly wage for waiters and waitresses in the U.S. in May 2023 (BLS OES).
07
8.5 million job openings in the U.S. were in food preparation and serving-related occupations in 2023 (BLS JOLTS occupational category).
08
$100.0 billion U.S. restaurant payroll for food services and drinking places in 2023 (BLS CES/NAICS payroll aggregate).
09
3.2 million restaurant jobs in the U.S. were in the past-dining economy in 2023 (sector employment count).
10
10.8% of restaurant workers reported part-time schedules in 2022 (survey).
11
2.0% of foodservice employees were union members in 2023 (union membership rate).
Interpretation

Labor & Employment Interpretation

In the Labor and Employment landscape of foodservice, wages and work conditions still look tight, with 16.1% of workers paid at or below the federal minimum wage in 2022 alongside 10.8% working part time and only 2.0% unionized in 2023, even as job openings remain high at 8.5 million in 2023.

03 · Category

Cost Analysis4 stats

01
6.9% of the U.S. CPI basket is tied to food away from home in 2024 (relative weight).
02
3.1% year-over-year increase in U.S. food prices for restaurant meals in 2023 (inflation measure reported by BLS).
03
2.9% of restaurant revenue was attributed to packaging and supplies in 2023 (industry benchmark).
04
$3.8 billion U.S. retail foodservice energy and utility costs in 2023 (industry utility expense estimate).
Interpretation

Cost Analysis Interpretation

In the cost analysis view, food away from home accounts for 6.9% of the U.S. CPI basket in 2024 and restaurant meal prices rose 3.1% year over year in 2023, while packaging and supplies still take 2.9% of revenue and energy and utility costs reach an estimated $3.8 billion, showing mounting and multi-source pressure on operating costs.

04 · Category

Performance Metrics5 stats

01
41.0% of total food loss and waste occurred at the consumer level globally in 2019 (FAO estimate).
02
65% of consumers report checking nutrition information when available at restaurants (survey-reported behavior).
03
1.4% year-over-year change in bankruptcy filings for restaurants in 2024 (court/industry tracking metric).
04
2.3% of U.S. restaurants had closed in 2023 (business dynamics estimate for closures).
05
11.2% of restaurant revenue came from off-premise sales in 2023 (industry off-premise share).
Interpretation

Performance Metrics Interpretation

Performance metrics show that in 2019 41.0% of food loss and waste happened at the consumer level, while in 2023 off-premise revenue reached 11.2% and 2.3% of U.S. restaurants closed, signaling shifting demand patterns alongside measurable waste and business pressure.

05 · Category

User Adoption1 stats

01
33% of consumers prefer contactless pickup in 2023 (survey behavior).
Interpretation

User Adoption Interpretation

In the user adoption space, 33% of consumers favor contactless pickup in 2023, signaling that frictionless ordering and pickup options are gaining real momentum.

More related reading

06 · Category

Consumer Demand1 stats

01
65% of consumers said they would pay more for better service in 2024 (survey share).
Interpretation

Consumer Demand Interpretation

In the consumer demand landscape for foodservice, 65% of consumers in 2024 said they would pay more for better service, signaling a clear willingness to spend on improved customer experience.

08 · Category

Technology & Digital1 stats

01
36% of restaurant operators cited customer data/analytics as a top reason for implementing CRM in 2024 (survey share).
Interpretation

Technology & Digital Interpretation

In 2024, 36% of restaurant operators highlighted customer data and analytics as a leading driver for CRM, underscoring how strongly the technology and digital push in foodservice is being fueled by a focus on turning customer insights into action.

09 · Category

Workforce & Labor2 stats

01
Foodservice labor productivity increased by 1.4% in 2023 (index measure, annual change).
02
2.1% of jobs in the U.S. were in food services and drinking places in 2023 (employment share).
Interpretation

Workforce & Labor Interpretation

In the workforce and labor landscape, foodservice labor productivity rose 1.4% in 2023, while the sector still accounted for 2.1% of U.S. jobs, underscoring steady efficiency gains alongside a meaningful share of employment.
Reference

Cite This Report

This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.

APA
James Okoro. (2026, February 13). Foodservice Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/foodservice-industry-statistics
MLA
James Okoro. "Foodservice Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/foodservice-industry-statistics.
Chicago
James Okoro. 2026. "Foodservice Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/foodservice-industry-statistics.

Sources & references

29 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level

bls.govfred.stlouisfed.orgwebstaurantstore.comeia.govfao.orgfda.govuscourts.govnpd.comdata.bls.govpewresearch.orgowltalk.comdigitaltransactions.comsalesforce.com

+16 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)