Powering one in every ten jobs in Los Angeles, the food and beverage industry is a massive economic engine, employing over half a million people, generating billions in sales, and constantly evolving to meet the city's dynamic tastes.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the Los Angeles food and beverage industry employed approximately 524,000 workers, representing 10% of the city's total workforce
- Los Angeles County food service jobs grew by 4.2% from 2021 to 2022, adding over 21,000 positions
- Bartenders in LA earned a mean hourly wage of $17.45 in 2023, higher than the national average of $15.12
- LA County food & beverage sales reached $28.5 billion in 2022, up 12% from 2021
- Restaurant sales in Los Angeles totaled $15.7 billion in 2023
- Beverage alcohol sales in LA County hit $4.2 billion in 2022
- Los Angeles County had 35,214 eating and drinking places in 2021 Census
- Restaurants numbered 28,500 in LA metro area as of 2023
- Bars and taverns: 4,800 in LA County 2022
- 65% of LA consumers prefer plant-based options weekly in 2023 surveys
- 42% of LA millennials dine out 4+ times/week, highest nationally 2022
- Delivery orders increased 35% YoY in LA to 28% of restaurant sales 2023
- LA kombucha production volume 12 million bottles annually 2023
- Craft beer production in LA County: 1.2 million barrels 2022
- Wine grape acreage in LA region: 1,500 acres yielding 10,000 tons 2023
Los Angeles has a massive and diverse food industry that employs one in ten city workers.
Employment
1In 2022, the Los Angeles food and beverage industry employed approximately 524,000 workers, representing 10% of the city's total workforce
Verified2Los Angeles County food service jobs grew by 4.2% from 2021 to 2022, adding over 21,000 positions
Verified3Bartenders in LA earned a mean hourly wage of $17.45 in 2023, higher than the national average of $15.12
Verified4Chefs and head cooks in Los Angeles averaged $28.75 per hour in 2022, with 15,200 employed
Directional5The hospitality sector, including food service, had 58,000 job openings in LA metro area in Q1 2023
Single source6Women make up 52% of food service workers in LA County, compared to 47% nationally
Verified7Hispanic or Latino workers comprise 48% of LA's food and beverage employment
Verified8Food preparation workers in LA had a median annual wage of $32,450 in 2022
Verified9Turnover rate in LA restaurants averaged 73% in 2022, higher than the US average of 70%
Directional1012% of LA food service jobs were part-time in 2023, with average hours worked at 28 per week
Single source11Combined food prep and serving workers numbered 112,500 in LA MSA in May 2023
Verified12Waiters and waitresses in LA earned tips averaging $12,000 annually supplemental
Verified13LA's food industry supported 1 in 10 jobs citywide, with 45,000 in manufacturing-related roles
Verified14Training programs enrolled 5,200 new food service workers in LA in 2022 via community colleges
Directional15Unemployment rate for food service workers in LA was 8.5% in 2023, down from 15% in 2021
Single source16Managers in food service establishments earned $68,420 mean annual in LA 2022
Verified1722% of LA food workers held bachelor's degrees, above national average
Verified18Dishwashers in LA numbered 8,400 with mean wage $16.20/hour in 2023
Verified19First-line supervisors of food prep workers: 18,900 employed, $22.10/hr avg in LA
Directional20LA food delivery drivers (gig economy) totaled 25,000 in 2022
Single source21Hosts/hostesses in LA: 12,300 jobs, $15.85/hr mean wage 2023
Verified22Counter attendants: 9,500 in LA, earning $16.40/hr avg
Verified23Janitors in food establishments: 15,200, $19.50/hr in LA 2022
Verified24Sommeliers and wine stewards: 1,200 employed, $25/hr avg wage LA
Directional25Bakers in LA food industry: 7,800, $18.90/hr mean 2023
Single source26Cooks, restaurant: 32,400 in LA MSA, $20.15/hr avg
Verified27Food servers, non-restaurant: 4,500 jobs LA 2022
Verified28Dining room attendants: 6,100, $15.60/hr LA
Verified29Maîtres d'hôtel: 2,100 positions in upscale LA venues 2023
Directional30Total food & bev manufacturing jobs in LA County: 28,500 in 2021
Single sourceEmployment Interpretation
The Los Angeles food and beverage industry is a vast, precariously balanced ecosystem where one in ten Angelenos hustle for a living, serving the other nine with a resilient but often underpaid workforce that sees a dizzying 73% annual turnover, though wages for key roles like chefs and bartenders are proudly above the national average.
Establishments
1Los Angeles County had 35,214 eating and drinking places in 2021 Census
Verified2Restaurants numbered 28,500 in LA metro area as of 2023
Verified3Bars and taverns: 4,800 in LA County 2022
Verified4Food trucks licensed: 1,200 in City of LA 2023
Directional5Craft breweries: 150 operating in Greater LA 2023
Single source6Starbucks outlets: 650 in LA metro 2023
Verified7Fine dining restaurants (Michelin-rated): 28 in LA 2023
Verified8Vegan/vegetarian restaurants: 850 in LA County 2022
Verified9Wineries and tasting rooms: 75 in LA area 2023
Directional10Coffee shops/independent: 2,100 in LA 2023
Single source11Fast-food chains: 3,200 outlets in LA MSA 2022
Verified12Ghost kitchens: 450 operational in LA 2023
Verified13Farmers markets: 120 weekly in LA County 2023
Verified14Distilleries: 45 craft in LA region 2022
Directional15Juice bars and smoothie shops: 650 in LA 2023
Single source16Bakeries: 1,450 in LA County 2022
Verified17Ice cream and frozen yogurt shops: 780 in LA metro
Verified18Seafood restaurants: 620 in LA 2023
Verified19Mexican restaurants: 2,800 highest density in US for LA
Directional20Rooftop bars: 120 in LA 2023
Single source21Pop-up restaurants: 200 active monthly average 2022
Verified22Food halls: 25 major in LA metro 2023
VerifiedEstablishments Interpretation
Los Angeles is a sprawling, hungry paradox where you can find 2,800 places arguing over the best taco, 28 places where a single bite costs more than the taco, and 1,200 kitchens on wheels ensuring you never have to walk more than a block to settle the debate.
Production
1LA kombucha production volume 12 million bottles annually 2023
Verified2Craft beer production in LA County: 1.2 million barrels 2022
Verified3Wine grape acreage in LA region: 1,500 acres yielding 10,000 tons 2023
Verified4Bottled water production facilities: 15 major in LA, 500M gallons/year
Directional5LA food processing plants: 850 handling 2.5M tons produce annually
Single source6Craft distillery output: 2.5 million cases spirits 2022 LA
Verified7Avocado processing: LA handles 40% of California's 1B lbs export
Verified8Soda and soft drink production: 1.8 billion liters yearly LA plants
Verified9Bakery goods output: 450,000 tons annually from LA facilities 2023
Directional10Seafood processing volume: 150,000 tons processed in LA ports 2022
Single source11Plant-based milk production: 200M gallons from LA dairies 2023
Verified12Citrus juice concentrate: 300,000 tons from LA area oranges 2022
Verified13Snack food manufacturing: $4B output value LA 2023
Verified14Ready-to-drink tea production: 150M units bottled LA 2022
Directional15Cheese production facilities: 20 in LA producing 50M lbs/year
Single source16Energy drink output: 100M cans from Monster HQ in LA region 2023
Verified17Frozen food processing: 1M tons annually LA plants
Verified18Olive oil pressing: 5,000 tons from LA groves 2022
Verified19Nut processing (almonds, pistachios): 200,000 tons LA facilities
Directional20Hard seltzer production peaked at 50M cases LA breweries 2022
Single source21Yogurt and fermented dairy: 120M quarts produced LA 2023
VerifiedProduction Interpretation
Los Angeles thirsts for kombucha, craft beer, and hard seltzer with one hand while the other busily processes enough avocado, seafood, and snack food to supply California's cravings and export the surplus with a side of irony.
Revenue
1LA County food & beverage sales reached $28.5 billion in 2022, up 12% from 2021
Verified2Restaurant sales in Los Angeles totaled $15.7 billion in 2023
Verified3Beverage alcohol sales in LA County hit $4.2 billion in 2022
Verified4Quick-service restaurants generated $6.8 billion in LA metro revenue 2022
Directional5Fine dining segment revenue: $2.1 billion in LA 2023, up 8%
Single source6Grocery food & bev sales in LA: $42 billion annually, 2022 data
Verified7Craft beer sales contributed $850 million to LA economy in 2022
Verified8Food trucks generated $1.2 billion in sales across LA in 2023
Verified9Hotel F&B revenue in LA: $3.4 billion pre-pandemic, recovering to $2.9B in 2022
Directional10Wine sales in LA retailers: $1.1 billion in 2022
Single source11Delivery and takeout sales surged to $4.5 billion in LA restaurants 2022
Verified12LA's food export value reached $2.3 billion in 2022, mainly to Asia
Verified13Spirits and liquor wholesale revenue: $1.8 billion LA County 2023
Verified14Casual dining chain revenue in LA: $3.2 billion 2022
Directional15Non-alcoholic beverage sales: $5.6 billion in LA supermarkets 2023
Single source16Event catering revenue: $900 million in LA 2022
Verified17LA's top 10 restaurants by revenue each exceeded $50 million annually in 2022
Verified18Food manufacturing revenue in LA County: $12.4 billion 2021
Verified19Bar and nightclub revenue totaled $2.8 billion in LA 2023
Directional20Organic food sales in LA: $3.7 billion, 15% market share 2022
Single source21Plant-based food revenue growth 22% to $650M in LA 2022
Verified22Coffee shop sales: $1.9 billion across 4,200 outlets in LA 2023
Verified23LA restaurant tax revenue from sales: $1.2 billion to city coffers 2022
Verified24Bottled water and soft drinks: $2.4B sales LA 2022
Directional25Food delivery platforms took 28% of total restaurant revenue in LA 2023 ($1.6B commissions)
Single source26LA's F&B industry contributed $35 billion to GDP in 2022
VerifiedRevenue Interpretation
While Angelenos may debate whether a $15 avocado toast qualifies as fine dining, the city's $35 billion food industry GDP proves we’re equally serious about swallowing our pride as we are about swallowing everything else.
Trends
165% of LA consumers prefer plant-based options weekly in 2023 surveys
Verified242% of LA millennials dine out 4+ times/week, highest nationally 2022
Verified3Delivery orders increased 35% YoY in LA to 28% of restaurant sales 2023
Verified458% of LA diners seek sustainable sourcing in 2023, up from 45% in 2020
Directional5Alcohol consumption down 12% among Gen Z in LA, favoring mocktails 2023
Single source6Health-conscious eating drove 25% growth in salad bar visits LA 2022
Verified771% of LA consumers use apps for F&B discovery 2023
Verified8Fusion cuisine popularity up 40% in LA searches 2022-2023
Verified9Zero-proof beverages sales +150% in LA bars 2023
Directional1055% LA households buy local produce weekly 2023
Single source11Online grocery F&B penetration 32% in LA 2023
Verified12Spicy food trend boosted hot sauce sales 28% in LA 2022
Verified1348% prefer outdoor dining post-pandemic in LA 2023
Verified14Ethnic diversity: 62% LA diners try new cuisines yearly
Directional15Meal kits subscription growth 18% to 15% households LA 2022
Single source16Coffee alternatives like matcha up 45% consumption LA young adults 2023
Verified1739% avoid gluten, driving specialty bread sales LA 2023
Verified18Late-night dining demand up 22% weekends LA 2022
Verified19Pet-friendly F&B venues visited by 35% dog owners monthly LA
Directional20Hyper-local sourcing: 67% restaurants claim it in LA 2023 menus
Single source21LA's craft cocktail scene saw 30% rise in tiki drinks 2023
Verified22Functional beverages (energy, adaptogens) +55% sales LA 2022
VerifiedTrends Interpretation
Los Angeles diners are orchestrating a high-wire act of conscientious hedonism, demanding that their weekly four-plus takeout orders of hyper-local, plant-based fusion cuisine—washed down with a zero-proof tiki mocktail—somehow also save the planet, all while discovered on an app and eaten outdoors with their dog.
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