Foodservice Industry Statistics

GITNUXREPORT 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.

29 statistics29 sources9 sections6 min readUpdated 7 days ago

Key Statistics

Statistic 1

$5,785 per household U.S. annual restaurant & other food away-from-home spending in 2023 (expenditure per household category).

Statistic 2

$1.2 trillion U.S. restaurant and foodservice spending in 2023 (economic indicator for the sector).

Statistic 3

6.0% of U.S. total consumer spending was on food services and drinking places in 2024 (share of household expenditures).

Statistic 4

3.8 million people employed in food services and drinking places in April 2023 (BLS employment level).

Statistic 5

16.1% of workers in food services and drinking places were paid at or below the federal minimum wage (distribution share in 2022).

Statistic 6

3.3% unemployment rate among food preparation and serving-related occupations in 2023 (BLS occupational unemployment indicator).

Statistic 7

$16.20 average hourly wage for fast food and counter workers in the U.S. in May 2023 (BLS OES).

Statistic 8

$18.35 average hourly wage for restaurant cooks in the U.S. in May 2023 (BLS OES).

Statistic 9

$15.48 average hourly wage for waiters and waitresses in the U.S. in May 2023 (BLS OES).

Statistic 10

8.5 million job openings in the U.S. were in food preparation and serving-related occupations in 2023 (BLS JOLTS occupational category).

Statistic 11

$100.0 billion U.S. restaurant payroll for food services and drinking places in 2023 (BLS CES/NAICS payroll aggregate).

Statistic 12

3.2 million restaurant jobs in the U.S. were in the past-dining economy in 2023 (sector employment count).

Statistic 13

10.8% of restaurant workers reported part-time schedules in 2022 (survey).

Statistic 14

2.0% of foodservice employees were union members in 2023 (union membership rate).

Statistic 15

6.9% of the U.S. CPI basket is tied to food away from home in 2024 (relative weight).

Statistic 16

3.1% year-over-year increase in U.S. food prices for restaurant meals in 2023 (inflation measure reported by BLS).

Statistic 17

2.9% of restaurant revenue was attributed to packaging and supplies in 2023 (industry benchmark).

Statistic 18

$3.8 billion U.S. retail foodservice energy and utility costs in 2023 (industry utility expense estimate).

Statistic 19

41.0% of total food loss and waste occurred at the consumer level globally in 2019 (FAO estimate).

Statistic 20

65% of consumers report checking nutrition information when available at restaurants (survey-reported behavior).

Statistic 21

1.4% year-over-year change in bankruptcy filings for restaurants in 2024 (court/industry tracking metric).

Statistic 22

2.3% of U.S. restaurants had closed in 2023 (business dynamics estimate for closures).

Statistic 23

11.2% of restaurant revenue came from off-premise sales in 2023 (industry off-premise share).

Statistic 24

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

Statistic 25

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

Statistic 26

48% of restaurant operators planned to expand their digital ordering in 2024 (planning survey share).

Statistic 27

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

Statistic 28

Foodservice labor productivity increased by 1.4% in 2023 (index measure, annual change).

Statistic 29

2.1% of jobs in the U.S. were in food services and drinking places in 2023 (employment share).

Sources
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James Okoro

Written by James Okoro·Edited by Min-ji Park·Fact-checked by Jonathan Hale

Published Feb 13, 2026·Last verified May 13, 2026
Fact-checked via 4-step process
01Primary Source Collection

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

02Editorial Curation

Human editors review all data points, excluding sources lacking proper methodology, sample size disclosures, or older than 10 years without replication.

03AI-Powered Verification

Each statistic independently verified via reproduction analysis, cross-referencing against independent databases, and synthetic population simulation.

04Human Cross-Check

Final human editorial review of all AI-verified statistics. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are.

Read our full methodology →

Statistics that fail independent corroboration are excluded.

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

Market Size

1$5,785 per household U.S. annual restaurant & other food away-from-home spending in 2023 (expenditure per household category).[1]
Single source
2$1.2 trillion U.S. restaurant and foodservice spending in 2023 (economic indicator for the sector).[2]
Verified
36.0% of U.S. total consumer spending was on food services and drinking places in 2024 (share of household expenditures).[3]
Verified

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.

Labor & Employment

13.8 million people employed in food services and drinking places in April 2023 (BLS employment level).[4]
Verified
216.1% of workers in food services and drinking places were paid at or below the federal minimum wage (distribution share in 2022).[5]
Verified
33.3% unemployment rate among food preparation and serving-related occupations in 2023 (BLS occupational unemployment indicator).[6]
Verified
4$16.20 average hourly wage for fast food and counter workers in the U.S. in May 2023 (BLS OES).[7]
Verified
5$18.35 average hourly wage for restaurant cooks in the U.S. in May 2023 (BLS OES).[8]
Verified
6$15.48 average hourly wage for waiters and waitresses in the U.S. in May 2023 (BLS OES).[9]
Single source
78.5 million job openings in the U.S. were in food preparation and serving-related occupations in 2023 (BLS JOLTS occupational category).[10]
Verified
8$100.0 billion U.S. restaurant payroll for food services and drinking places in 2023 (BLS CES/NAICS payroll aggregate).[11]
Verified
93.2 million restaurant jobs in the U.S. were in the past-dining economy in 2023 (sector employment count).[12]
Verified
1010.8% of restaurant workers reported part-time schedules in 2022 (survey).[13]
Verified
112.0% of foodservice employees were union members in 2023 (union membership rate).[14]
Verified

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.

More related reading

Cost Analysis

16.9% of the U.S. CPI basket is tied to food away from home in 2024 (relative weight).[15]
Directional
23.1% year-over-year increase in U.S. food prices for restaurant meals in 2023 (inflation measure reported by BLS).[16]
Verified
32.9% of restaurant revenue was attributed to packaging and supplies in 2023 (industry benchmark).[17]
Verified
4$3.8 billion U.S. retail foodservice energy and utility costs in 2023 (industry utility expense estimate).[18]
Directional

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.

Performance Metrics

141.0% of total food loss and waste occurred at the consumer level globally in 2019 (FAO estimate).[19]
Verified
265% of consumers report checking nutrition information when available at restaurants (survey-reported behavior).[20]
Verified
31.4% year-over-year change in bankruptcy filings for restaurants in 2024 (court/industry tracking metric).[21]
Verified
42.3% of U.S. restaurants had closed in 2023 (business dynamics estimate for closures).[22]
Verified
511.2% of restaurant revenue came from off-premise sales in 2023 (industry off-premise share).[23]
Verified

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.

More related reading

User Adoption

133% of consumers prefer contactless pickup in 2023 (survey behavior).[24]
Verified

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.

Consumer Demand

165% of consumers said they would pay more for better service in 2024 (survey share).[25]
Verified

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.

More related reading

Technology & Digital

136% of restaurant operators cited customer data/analytics as a top reason for implementing CRM in 2024 (survey share).[27]
Verified

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.

More related reading

Workforce & Labor

1Foodservice labor productivity increased by 1.4% in 2023 (index measure, annual change).[28]
Verified
22.1% of jobs in the U.S. were in food services and drinking places in 2023 (employment share).[29]
Single source

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.

How We Rate Confidence

Models

Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.

Single source
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.

AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree

Directional
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.

AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree

Verified
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.

AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree

Models

Cite This Report

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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.

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