While skyscrapers may define New York City's skyline, it's the staggering $52.3 billion powerhouse of the restaurant industry—from the sizzle of a Bronx gastropub to the curated elegance of a Manhattan tasting menu—that truly fuels the city's economic heartbeat, as revealed by a deep dive into 2023's telling statistics.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, New York City's restaurant industry contributed $52.3 billion to the local economy, accounting for 5.1% of the city's total GDP.
- Fine dining restaurants in Manhattan saw a 12.4% revenue increase in 2022 compared to 2021, reaching $18.7 billion annually.
- Brooklyn's casual dining sector generated $9.2 billion in sales in 2023, up 8.7% from the previous year.
- NYC restaurants employed 380,000 workers in 2023, representing 9.2% of the city's workforce.
- Servers in NYC restaurants earned an average of $35,200 annually in 2022, including tips.
- Chefs and head cooks in Manhattan averaged $68,450 per year in 2023 wages.
- NYC had 28,500 restaurant establishments in 2023, up 4.2% from 2022.
- Manhattan hosted 12,400 restaurants in 2023, 43% of NYC total.
- Brooklyn saw 7,200 new restaurant openings from 2020-2023.
- NYC diners averaged 4.2 restaurant visits per month in 2023.
- 62% of NYC millennials dined out weekly in 2023 surveys.
- Average check per person in Manhattan fine dining was $125 in 2023.
- NYC restaurant labor shortage affected 68% of establishments in 2023.
- Average rent for Manhattan restaurant spaces hit $18,000 per month in 2023.
- 45% of NYC restaurants faced rising food costs over 10% in 2023.
New York's restaurant industry is a massive economic engine fueling city growth.
Consumer Behavior
- NYC diners averaged 4.2 restaurant visits per month in 2023.
- 62% of NYC millennials dined out weekly in 2023 surveys.
- Average check per person in Manhattan fine dining was $125 in 2023.
- 78% of Brooklyn residents preferred local ethnic restaurants in 2023.
- Delivery orders made up 35% of total restaurant sales in NYC 2023.
- 55% of NYC consumers sought sustainable sourcing in 2023.
- Average wait time for popular NYC spots was 45 minutes in 2023.
- 41% of Gen Z in NYC chose plant-based options when dining out in 2023.
- Tipping averaged 20.8% on NYC restaurant bills in 2023.
- 67% of tourists visited iconic NYC eateries like Joe's Pizza in 2023.
- Online reservations grew 28% YoY for NYC restaurants in 2023.
- 52% of NYC office workers lunched at restaurants post-2023 hybrid return.
- 73% of NYC diners used apps for reservations in 2023.
- Average group size for NYC dining out was 3.8 in 2023.
- 64% preferred outdoor seating in NYC summer 2023.
- Wine consumption per diner up 14% in NYC 2023.
- 49% of families chose kid-friendly menus in 2023 NYC.
- Late-night dining (after 10pm) rose 19% in 2023 NYC.
- Loyalty program sign-ups hit 2.1 million for NYC restaurants 2023.
- Craft beer pairings chosen by 38% of patrons in 2023.
- Health-conscious meals selected by 57% in 2023 surveys.
- Celebrity chef spots drew 29% more visitors in 2023 NYC.
- 61% of NYC consumers prioritized local ingredients in 2023.
Consumer Behavior Interpretation
New Yorkers in 2023, a hive-mind of impatient, app-wielding epicures, collectively decided that their city's soul was best experienced by spending nearly half their income waiting 45 minutes for a sustainably-sourced, plant-based tasting menu paired with local craft beer, only to then surrender another 20% of it as a tip for the privilege.
Economic Performance
- In 2023, New York City's restaurant industry contributed $52.3 billion to the local economy, accounting for 5.1% of the city's total GDP.
- Fine dining restaurants in Manhattan saw a 12.4% revenue increase in 2022 compared to 2021, reaching $18.7 billion annually.
- Brooklyn's casual dining sector generated $9.2 billion in sales in 2023, up 8.7% from the previous year.
- NYC restaurants paid out $6.8 billion in wages in 2022, with an average annual wage of $42,500 per employee.
- The hospitality sector, including restaurants, added $3.4 billion in tax revenue to NYC in fiscal year 2023.
- Queens restaurants reported $11.5 billion in combined sales for 2023, driven by ethnic cuisine demand.
- Delivery and takeout sales for NYC eateries surged to $7.9 billion in 2022, comprising 25% of total revenue.
- High-end steakhouses in NYC achieved an average revenue per seat of $1,250 annually in 2023.
- The Bronx restaurant industry generated $2.1 billion in sales in 2023, with a 15% YoY growth.
- NYC rooftop bars contributed $1.8 billion to restaurant revenues in summer 2023 alone.
- Staten Island eateries saw $850 million in total sales for 2023, up 9.2% from 2022.
- Vegan and plant-based restaurants in NYC reached $1.2 billion in sales in 2023.
- NYC pizzerias collectively earned $4.5 billion in 2023, averaging $750,000 per location.
- Michelin-starred restaurants in NYC generated $2.9 billion in 2023, with 15% profit margins.
- Food trucks in NYC contributed $650 million to restaurant-adjacent revenues in 2023.
- In 2023, NYC restaurant sales tax collections reached $4.1 billion.
- Casual dining in Queens generated $5.6 billion in 2023 revenues.
- NYC wine bars contributed $920 million to industry sales in 2023.
- Bronx gastropubs earned $450 million collectively in 2023.
- Delivery platforms took 28% commission average from NYC restaurants in 2023.
- NYC sushi restaurants hit $2.3 billion sales in 2023.
- Catering services from NYC restaurants added $1.7 billion in 2023.
- Average profit margin for NYC independents was 4.8% in 2023.
- Food festivals boosted NYC restaurant sales by $300 million in 2023.
- NYC breakfast spots generated $3.2 billion annually in 2023.
Economic Performance Interpretation
Despite being a high-wire act where average independent margins are a razor-thin 4.8%, New York’s restaurant ecosystem is a $52 billion economic engine, proving that the city literally runs on everything from a dollar slice and a food truck taco to a Michelin-starred tasting menu and a summer cocktail sipped fifty stories up.
Employment Data
- NYC restaurants employed 380,000 workers in 2023, representing 9.2% of the city's workforce.
- Servers in NYC restaurants earned an average of $35,200 annually in 2022, including tips.
- Chefs and head cooks in Manhattan averaged $68,450 per year in 2023 wages.
- Bartenders in NYC bars and restaurants made $42,100 on average in 2023.
- Hosts and hostesses in NYC earned $31,800 annually in 2022, with 12% growth in jobs.
- Dishwashers in Queens restaurants averaged $29,500 yearly wage in 2023.
- NYC restaurant managers had an average salary of $72,300 in 2023.
- Line cooks in Brooklyn earned $38,900 on average in 2022.
- Sommeliers in fine dining NYC spots averaged $55,200 annually in 2023.
- Busboys in Manhattan restaurants made $28,400 yearly in 2023.
- Pastry chefs in NYC baked goods outlets earned $46,700 on average in 2022.
- Delivery drivers for NYC restaurants averaged $37,600 in 2023 wages.
- Front-of-house staff turnover rate in NYC restaurants was 72% in 2023.
- Back-of-house employment grew 6.8% in NYC restaurants from 2022 to 2023.
- Female workers comprised 48% of NYC restaurant staff in 2023.
- Kitchen staff in fine dining averaged $52,400 in NYC 2023.
- NYC restaurant job openings peaked at 45,000 in summer 2023.
- Hispanic workers made up 42% of NYC restaurant labor in 2023.
- Sous chefs earned $61,200 average in Brooklyn 2023.
- NYC servers' tip income averaged $22/hour including base in 2023.
- Managers in fast-casual NYC spots made $65,800 in 2023.
- Female chefs represented 24% of NYC head cook positions in 2023.
- Part-time restaurant jobs in NYC totaled 120,000 in 2023.
- Training hours per new hire averaged 45 in NYC restaurants 2023.
- Unemployment rate in NYC restaurant sector was 5.2% in late 2023.
- Asian immigrants filled 35% of NYC restaurant back-of-house roles in 2023.
Employment Data Interpretation
This snapshot of the New York City restaurant industry reveals a meticulously layered, high-pressure ecosystem where 380,000 people—nearly one in ten city workers—perform a ballet of economic survival, from the dishwasher earning a precarious $29,500 to the manager commanding $72,300, all while battling a 72% turnover rate that underscores the grueling reality behind the city's famed dining scene.
Establishment Counts
- NYC had 28,500 restaurant establishments in 2023, up 4.2% from 2022.
- Manhattan hosted 12,400 restaurants in 2023, 43% of NYC total.
- Brooklyn saw 7,200 new restaurant openings from 2020-2023.
- Queens had 5,900 restaurants in 2023, specializing in 1,200 ethnic types.
- The Bronx counted 2,100 eateries in 2023, with 15% increase since 2021.
- Staten Island had 1,200 restaurants in 2023, focusing on Italian cuisine.
- Fast-casual chains numbered 3,400 in NYC in 2023.
- Fine dining spots reached 850 in Manhattan alone by end of 2023.
- NYC gained 1,200 food trucks and carts as mobile restaurants in 2023.
- Vegan restaurants grew to 650 across NYC in 2023.
- Pizzerias totaled 2,500 in NYC in 2023.
- Rooftop dining venues numbered 320 in 2023 summer season.
- Michelin-recognized restaurants stood at 78 in NYC 2023 guide.
- New restaurant licenses issued in NYC: 2,800 in 2023.
- Italian restaurants numbered 1,800 citywide in NYC 2023.
- Chinese eateries totaled 2,200 in NYC by 2023.
- Mexican spots reached 1,100 in 2023 NYC directories.
- Coffee shops with food service: 4,200 in NYC 2023.
- Seafood restaurants: 650 operational in NYC 2023.
- BBQ joints grew to 420 across NYC boroughs in 2023.
- Upscale casual dining: 2,100 venues in 2023 NYC.
- Bakery-cafes numbered 950 in NYC 2023.
- Dive bars with kitchens: 1,050 in 2023 NYC listings.
Establishment Counts Interpretation
While Manhattan continues to rule the culinary roost, the real story is a citywide smorgasbord of expansion, from Brooklyn's explosive rebound to Queens' ethnic tapestry, proving New York's appetite for everything from a taco to a tasting menu remains gloriously insatiable.
Industry Challenges
- NYC restaurant labor shortage affected 68% of establishments in 2023.
- Average rent for Manhattan restaurant spaces hit $18,000 per month in 2023.
- 45% of NYC restaurants faced rising food costs over 10% in 2023.
- Health code violations occurred in 23% of NYC inspections in 2023.
- Supply chain delays impacted 59% of NYC eateries in early 2023.
- 37% of independent NYC restaurants closed temporarily in 2023 due to staffing.
- Energy costs for NYC kitchens rose 22% in 2023.
- Insurance premiums for NYC restaurants increased 15% average in 2023.
- 51% of NYC owners reported inflation as top challenge in 2023 surveys.
- Rodent infestations led to 1,200 NYC restaurant closures in 2023.
- Minimum wage hikes to $16/hour strained 62% of small NYC eateries in 2023.
- Post-pandemic debt averaged $250,000 per NYC restaurant in 2023.
- 44% of small NYC restaurants cited staffing as primary closure reason in 2023.
- Food waste regulations fined 320 NYC eateries $1.2M in 2023.
- 53% faced higher natural gas prices for cooking in 2023 NYC.
- ADA compliance issues shuttered 180 restaurants in 2023.
- Online review negativity rose 11% impacting 40% of NYC spots 2023.
- Liquor license wait times averaged 8 months for NYC in 2023.
- 27% of NYC kitchens exceeded overtime labor costs in 2023.
- Cyberattack vulnerabilities affected 19% of NYC payment systems 2023.
- Ventilation code violations hit 450 restaurants in 2023 NYC.
- Sustainability mandates non-compliant in 36% of eateries 2023.
Industry Challenges Interpretation
It is a culinary miracle that anyone in New York gets fed at all, given that restaurateurs are essentially asked to be contortionists who must simultaneously dodge rats, juggle invoices, placate online trolls, and absorb relentless financial blows—all while hoping their remaining skeleton crew shows up.
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