The US restaurant industry generated over one trillion dollars in sales last year. This sector employs one in ten American workers, yet average profit margins remain below five percent.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, 62% of US consumers dined out at least once a week
- Labor costs rose 8.2% as percentage of sales to 33.1% in 2023
- Rent expenses were 7.8% of total costs for independents in 2023
- The US restaurant industry employed 15.9 million people in 2023, representing one in ten jobs nationwide
- There were 748,000 restaurant locations in the US in 2023
- In 2023, the US restaurant industry generated projected sales of $1.1 trillion, accounting for approximately 4% of the nation's gross domestic product
US restaurants remain steady but face tighter margins, so operators prioritize cost control and customer demand.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumer Behavior & Trends28 stats
01
In 2023, 62% of US consumers dined out at least once a week
02
Delivery orders accounted for 15% of total restaurant sales in 2023, up from 11% in 2022
03
71% of consumers prioritized value-for-money when choosing restaurants in 2023
04
Plant-based menu items saw 28% increase in orders in 2023
05
Average check size at full-service restaurants rose 6.8% to $52.31 in 2023
06
44% of millennials dined out 3+ times weekly in 2023
07
Off-premise occasions reached 65% of total dining events in 2023
08
56% of consumers used loyalty apps for restaurants in 2023
09
Healthy eating drove 39% of menu choices in casual dining in 2023
10
Gen Z consumers increased alcohol consumption at restaurants by 12% in 2023
11
68% of diners sought local/sustainable ingredients in 2023 surveys
12
Average frequency of QSR visits was 4.2 times per week per consumer in 2023
13
52% of consumers avoided restaurants with poor online reviews in 2023
14
Dessert orders declined 3% in 2023 amid health trends
15
75% of baby boomers preferred dine-in experiences over delivery in 2023
16
Mobile ordering adoption reached 47% of consumers in 2023
17
Vegetarian menu trials increased 22% among consumers in 2023
18
61% of diners tipped 20% or more in 2023, up from 55% in 2021
19
Breakfast daypart sales grew 5% driven by consumer demand in 2023
20
49% of consumers prioritized speed of service in QSR in 2023
21
Online reservations usage hit 38% of fine dining consumers in 2023
22
Low/no-alcohol beverage orders surged 31% in 2023
23
67% of families with kids dined out monthly in 2023
24
Value menu items saw 18% higher order volume in 2023
25
55% of consumers used social media to discover new restaurants in 2023
26
Late-night dining occasions increased 7% in urban areas in 2023
27
42% of consumers reported reducing dine-in frequency due to inflation in 2023
28
Craft beer sales per consumer rose 9% in restaurants in 2023
Interpretation
Consumer Behavior & Trends Interpretation
Despite inflation tightening belts and health trends making us feel virtuous, the American appetite for dining out remains voracious, proving we’re all still willing to pay a premium for the experience of not having to do the dishes.
02 · Category
Costs, Profits & Challenges26 stats
01
Labor costs rose 8.2% as percentage of sales to 33.1% in 2023
02
Food costs averaged 30.4% of sales for restaurants in 2023
03
Average profit margin for full-service restaurants was 4.2% in 2023
04
92% of operators cited rising food prices as top challenge in 2023
05
Utilities costs increased 12% YoY to 5.1% of expenses in 2023
06
EBITDA margins for public restaurant chains averaged 8.7% in 2023
07
Supply chain disruptions affected 67% of restaurants in 2023
08
Average menu price hike was 4.1% in 2023 to offset inflation
09
Insurance premiums rose 15% for restaurants in 2023
10
Net profit for QSR averaged 12.5% in 2023
11
45% of operators reduced hours due to labor costs in 2023
12
Credit card fees cost industry $18 billion in 2023
13
Food waste costs averaged $25,000per full-service restaurant in 2023
14
Marketing expenses were 3.2% of sales in 2023
15
78% of restaurants faced cash flow issues in 2023
16
Delivery commission fees averaged 28% of sales for third-party platforms in 2023
17
Maintenance costs rose 9% to 2.8% of expenses in 2023
18
Tax burdens for restaurants averaged 24% effective rate in 2023
19
Energy costs per sq ft were $2.45monthly in 2023
20
Shrinkage losses totaled 1.8% of inventory value in 2023
21
Franchise royalty fees averaged 5.1% of sales for chains in 2023
22
POS system costs averaged $7,200annual per location in 2023
23
61% of independents reported negative margins in Q1 2023
24
Packaging costs for takeout rose 22% to $4,500 yearly average in 2023
25
Loan interest rates for restaurants averaged 7.9% in 2023
26
Tech investments increased 18% to 2.1% of sales in 2023
Interpretation
Costs, Profits & Challenges Interpretation
Between rising costs squeezing every angle and customers grumbling over modest price hikes, the American restaurant's 2023 profit margin of 4.2% felt less like a reward for hard work and more like a high-stakes magic trick where everything disappears except the bills.
03 · Category
Costs, Profits, Challenges1 stats
01
Rent expenses were 7.8% of total costs for independents in 2023
Interpretation
Costs, Profits, Challenges Interpretation
Even as menus and margins stretch thin, the landlord's cut remains a stubborn, non-negotiable course on every independent restaurateur’s bill.
More related reading
04 · Category
Employment & Labor29 stats
01
The US restaurant industry employed 15.9 million people in 2023, representing one in ten jobs nationwide
02
Restaurants added 200,000 jobs in 2023, with total employment reaching pre-pandemic levels
03
Food preparation and serving workers numbered 12.4 million in the industry in 2023
04
Average hourly wage for restaurant cooks was $17.42in 2023, up 6.1% from 2022
05
58% of restaurant employees were under 35 years old in 2023
06
Turnover rate in full-service restaurants averaged 73% in 2023
07
QSR sector employed 4.8 million workers in 2023, 30% of total industry jobs
08
Women comprised 48% of the restaurant workforce in 2023, with higher shares in front-of-house roles
09
Labor costs accounted for 32.5% of total restaurant expenses in 2023
10
1.2 million veterans were employed in restaurants in 2023
11
Hourly employees made up 92% of the workforce, with average tenure of 2.1 years in 2023
12
Bartenders earned median $14.79per hour plus tips in 2023
13
Industry job openings totaled 1.2 million unfilled positions in late 2023
14
Waiters and waitresses numbered 2.1 million, with 4.8% employment growth in 2023
15
25% of restaurant operators reported labor shortages as top challenge in 2023 survey
16
Chefs and head cooks averaged $58,920annual salary in 2023
17
Hispanic/Latino workers were 22% of industry employment in 2023
18
Full-time equivalent employees per restaurant averaged 25.4 in 2023
19
Training hours per new hire increased 15% to 28 hours in 2023
20
40% of operators raised wages by 5% or more in 2023 to attract talent
21
Dishwashers and kitchen helpers totaled 450,000 jobs in 2023
22
Employee satisfaction scores improved to 78% in 2023 from 72% in 2022
23
Managers in restaurants earned average $62,000annually in 2023
24
Immigrant workers comprised 21% of the workforce in 2023
25
Labor participation rate in leisure/hospitality was 58.2% in 2023
26
Hosts/hostesses numbered 210,000 with 3.2% growth in 2023
27
65% of restaurants offered health benefits to employees in 2023, up from 55% pre-pandemic
28
Food servers employment growth projected at 2.5% annually to 2032
29
Average restaurant employee age was 34.2 years in 2023
Interpretation
Employment & Labor Interpretation
While the industry proudly serves one in ten American jobs and has finally recovered its pre-pandemic workforce, it is simultaneously being propped up by a youthful, hourly-paid, and rapidly revolving door of employees who, despite getting raises and better benefits, still can't afford the very food they're cooking.
05 · Category
Establishments & Locations30 stats
01
There were 748,000 restaurant locations in the US in 2023
02
Quick-service establishments numbered 267,000 in 2023, 36% of total
03
Full-service restaurants totaled 239,000 in 2023, down 1% from 2022
04
Independent restaurants comprised 53% or 397,000 of total establishments in 2023
05
Chain restaurants numbered 351,000 locations in 2023
06
Fast-casual outlets grew to 28,500 in 2023, up 4.2%
07
Bar and tavern establishments reached 67,000 in 2023
08
New restaurant openings totaled 35,000 in 2023, net growth of 8,000
09
Closures numbered 27,000 in 2023, primarily independents
10
California hosted 88,000 restaurant locations in 2023, 12% national share
11
Texas had 72,500 restaurants in 2023
12
Ghost kitchens operated from 5,200 virtual brands in 2023
13
Fine dining establishments numbered 12,400 in 2023
14
Food trucks totaled 36,000 nationwide in 2023
15
Average restaurant size was 4,200 sq ft for full-service in 2023
16
Florida's restaurant count reached 52,000 in 2023
17
Multi-unit chains operated 75% of QSR locations in 2023
18
Rural areas had 112,000 establishments, 15% of total in 2023
19
Buffet restaurants declined to 4,200 locations in 2023
20
New York state hosted 47,000 restaurants in 2023
21
Drive-thru lanes numbered 250,000 across QSRs in 2023
22
Casual dining chains had 22,000 units in 2023
23
Airport restaurants totaled 2,800 in 2023
24
College campus dining halls served 1,200 institutions in 2023
25
Vegas Strip had 450 restaurants in 2023
26
Average distance to nearest restaurant was 2.1 miles nationally in 2023
27
Steakhouse establishments were 6,200 in 2023
28
Pop-up restaurants operated 1,500 events monthly average in 2023
29
Hotel restaurants numbered 28,000 in 2023
30
Food halls reached 1,800 locations in 2023, up 12%
Interpretation
Establishments & Locations Interpretation
Nearly three-quarters of a million restaurants means Americans are perpetually well-fed yet perpetually choosy, as proven by the 8,000 net new spots that survived last year's 27,000-closure culinary thunderdome.
06 · Category
Market Size & Revenue30 stats
01
In 2023, the US restaurant industry generated projected sales of $1.1 trillion, accounting for approximately 4% of the nation's gross domestic product
02
Full-service restaurants contributed $362.5 billion in sales in 2023, representing 33% of total industry sales
03
Limited-service restaurants saw sales of $413.4 billion in 2023, making up 38% of the total US restaurant market
04
The restaurant industry's sales grew by 7.1% in 2023 compared to 2022, reaching a record high
05
Foodservice sales at off-premise locations hit $487.3 billion in 2023, driven by delivery and takeout
06
Bar and tavern sales reached $47.2 billion in 2023, up 5.4% from the previous year
07
The total economic impact of the restaurant industry was $2.6 trillion in GDP contribution in 2023
08
Quick-service restaurants (QSR) sales totaled $413 billion in 2023, with a 6.8% year-over-year growth
09
Fine dining segment sales were $85.4 billion in 2023, recovering 92% from pre-pandemic levels
10
US restaurant sales per capita reached $3,247in 2023, up from $3,098 in 2022
11
Casual dining sales hit $276.1 billion in 2023, comprising 25% of industry total
12
The industry's projected sales for 2024 are $1.2 trillion, with 4% growth anticipated
13
Off-premise dining sales grew 9.2% to $487 billion in 2023
14
Total restaurant sales in Q4 2023 were $295.7 billion, a 5.4% increase YoY
15
The sector's sales from alcohol beverages totaled $110 billion in 2023
16
Fast-casual segment sales reached $167.5 billion in 2023, up 8.1%
17
Industry sales in the South region were $398 billion in 2023, 36% of national total
18
Projected 2025 sales for US restaurants are $1.4 trillion, CAGR of 3.8% from 2021-2025
19
Beverage sales in restaurants grew 6.2% to $142 billion in 2023
20
Total industry sales from delivery services hit $106 billion in 2023
21
The US restaurant market size was valued at $899 billion in 2022, expected to grow to $1.5 trillion by 2030
22
QSR market share was 37% of total sales in 2023 at $407 billion
23
Full-service sales recovery reached 95% of 2019 levels by end of 2023
24
Annual sales growth rate for restaurants averaged 4.5% from 2018-2023
25
Ghost kitchen sales contributed $12.5 billion to industry totals in 2023
26
Regional chain sales were $189 billion in 2023, 17% of market
27
Sales from healthy eating options in restaurants reached $78 billion in 2023
28
Industry sales in urban areas totaled $512 billion in 2023, 47% national share
29
Projected inflation-adjusted sales growth for 2024 is 3.2%
30
Total 2023 sales from independent restaurants were $340 billion
Interpretation
Market Size & Revenue Interpretation
The nation's staggering $1.1 trillion restaurant tab proves we're a country that would rather debate tipping than learn to cook, outsourcing 4% of our entire economy to the noble pursuit of the perfect fry and a stiff drink.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
James Okoro. (2026, February 13). Us Restaurant Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/us-restaurant-industry-statistics
MLA
James Okoro. "Us Restaurant Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/us-restaurant-industry-statistics.
Chicago
James Okoro. 2026. "Us Restaurant Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/us-restaurant-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
41 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level