From serving up a staggering $1.1 trillion in sales to employing one in every ten working Americans, the restaurant industry is an economic powerhouse that sets the table for the nation's growth.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the US restaurant industry generated projected sales of $1.1 trillion, accounting for approximately 4% of the nation's gross domestic product
- Full-service restaurants contributed $362.5 billion in sales in 2023, representing 33% of total industry sales
- Limited-service restaurants saw sales of $413.4 billion in 2023, making up 38% of the total US restaurant market
- The US restaurant industry employed 15.9 million people in 2023, representing one in ten jobs nationwide
- Restaurants added 200,000 jobs in 2023, with total employment reaching pre-pandemic levels
- Food preparation and serving workers numbered 12.4 million in the industry in 2023
- In 2023, 62% of US consumers dined out at least once a week
- Delivery orders accounted for 15% of total restaurant sales in 2023, up from 11% in 2022
- 71% of consumers prioritized value-for-money when choosing restaurants in 2023
- There were 748,000 restaurant locations in the US in 2023
- Quick-service establishments numbered 267,000 in 2023, 36% of total
- Full-service restaurants totaled 239,000 in 2023, down 1% from 2022
- Labor costs rose 8.2% as percentage of sales to 33.1% in 2023
- Food costs averaged 30.4% of sales for restaurants in 2023
- Average profit margin for full-service restaurants was 4.2% in 2023
In 2023, the US restaurant industry posted record-breaking sales, signaling continued momentum and reinforcing its major role in the broader economy across 2024 and beyond.
Consumer Behavior & Trends
1In 2023, 62% of US consumers dined out at least once a week
Verified
2Delivery orders accounted for 15% of total restaurant sales in 2023, up from 11% in 2022
Verified
371% of consumers prioritized value-for-money when choosing restaurants in 2023
Verified
4Plant-based menu items saw 28% increase in orders in 2023
Single source
5Average check size at full-service restaurants rose 6.8% to $52.31 in 2023
Directional
644% of millennials dined out 3+ times weekly in 2023
Verified
7Off-premise occasions reached 65% of total dining events in 2023
Single source
856% of consumers used loyalty apps for restaurants in 2023
Directional
9Healthy eating drove 39% of menu choices in casual dining in 2023
Verified
10Gen Z consumers increased alcohol consumption at restaurants by 12% in 2023
Verified
1168% of diners sought local/sustainable ingredients in 2023 surveys
Verified
12Average frequency of QSR visits was 4.2 times per week per consumer in 2023
Verified
1352% of consumers avoided restaurants with poor online reviews in 2023
Verified
14Dessert orders declined 3% in 2023 amid health trends
Verified
1575% of baby boomers preferred dine-in experiences over delivery in 2023
Verified
16Mobile ordering adoption reached 47% of consumers in 2023
Verified
17Vegetarian menu trials increased 22% among consumers in 2023
Verified
1861% of diners tipped 20% or more in 2023, up from 55% in 2021
Verified
19Breakfast daypart sales grew 5% driven by consumer demand in 2023
Verified
2049% of consumers prioritized speed of service in QSR in 2023
Verified
21Online reservations usage hit 38% of fine dining consumers in 2023
Verified
22Low/no-alcohol beverage orders surged 31% in 2023
Verified
2367% of families with kids dined out monthly in 2023
Verified
24Value menu items saw 18% higher order volume in 2023
Verified
2555% of consumers used social media to discover new restaurants in 2023
Directional
26Late-night dining occasions increased 7% in urban areas in 2023
Verified
2742% of consumers reported reducing dine-in frequency due to inflation in 2023
Verified
28Craft beer sales per consumer rose 9% in restaurants in 2023
Verified
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.
Costs, Profits & Challenges
1Labor costs rose 8.2% as percentage of sales to 33.1% in 2023
Verified
2Food costs averaged 30.4% of sales for restaurants in 2023
Single source
3Average profit margin for full-service restaurants was 4.2% in 2023
Verified
492% of operators cited rising food prices as top challenge in 2023
Verified
5Utilities costs increased 12% YoY to 5.1% of expenses in 2023
Verified
6EBITDA margins for public restaurant chains averaged 8.7% in 2023
Verified
7Supply chain disruptions affected 67% of restaurants in 2023
Verified
8Average menu price hike was 4.1% in 2023 to offset inflation
Verified
9Insurance premiums rose 15% for restaurants in 2023
Single source
10Net profit for QSR averaged 12.5% in 2023
Verified
1145% of operators reduced hours due to labor costs in 2023
Verified
12Credit card fees cost industry $18 billion in 2023
Directional
13Food waste costs averaged $25,000 per full-service restaurant in 2023
Verified
14Marketing expenses were 3.2% of sales in 2023
Verified
1578% of restaurants faced cash flow issues in 2023
Single source
16Delivery commission fees averaged 28% of sales for third-party platforms in 2023
Verified
17Maintenance costs rose 9% to 2.8% of expenses in 2023
Verified
18Tax burdens for restaurants averaged 24% effective rate in 2023
Verified
19Energy costs per sq ft were $2.45 monthly in 2023
Verified
20Shrinkage losses totaled 1.8% of inventory value in 2023
Verified
21Franchise royalty fees averaged 5.1% of sales for chains in 2023
Verified
22POS system costs averaged $7,200 annual per location in 2023
Verified
2361% of independents reported negative margins in Q1 2023
Verified
24Packaging costs for takeout rose 22% to $4,500 yearly average in 2023
Verified
25Loan interest rates for restaurants averaged 7.9% in 2023
Verified
26Tech investments increased 18% to 2.1% of sales in 2023
Directional
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.
Costs, Profits, Challenges
1Rent expenses were 7.8% of total costs for independents in 2023
Directional
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.
Employment & Labor
1The US restaurant industry employed 15.9 million people in 2023, representing one in ten jobs nationwide
Single source
2Restaurants added 200,000 jobs in 2023, with total employment reaching pre-pandemic levels
Directional
3Food preparation and serving workers numbered 12.4 million in the industry in 2023
Single source
4Average hourly wage for restaurant cooks was $17.42 in 2023, up 6.1% from 2022
Single source
558% of restaurant employees were under 35 years old in 2023
Verified
6Turnover rate in full-service restaurants averaged 73% in 2023
Verified
7QSR sector employed 4.8 million workers in 2023, 30% of total industry jobs
Verified
8Women comprised 48% of the restaurant workforce in 2023, with higher shares in front-of-house roles
Single source
9Labor costs accounted for 32.5% of total restaurant expenses in 2023
Verified
101.2 million veterans were employed in restaurants in 2023
Directional
11Hourly employees made up 92% of the workforce, with average tenure of 2.1 years in 2023
Directional
12Bartenders earned median $14.79 per hour plus tips in 2023
Verified
13Industry job openings totaled 1.2 million unfilled positions in late 2023
Verified
14Waiters and waitresses numbered 2.1 million, with 4.8% employment growth in 2023
Verified
1525% of restaurant operators reported labor shortages as top challenge in 2023 survey
Verified
16Chefs and head cooks averaged $58,920 annual salary in 2023
Verified
17Hispanic/Latino workers were 22% of industry employment in 2023
Verified
18Full-time equivalent employees per restaurant averaged 25.4 in 2023
Single source
19Training hours per new hire increased 15% to 28 hours in 2023
Verified
2040% of operators raised wages by 5% or more in 2023 to attract talent
Directional
21Dishwashers and kitchen helpers totaled 450,000 jobs in 2023
Verified
22Employee satisfaction scores improved to 78% in 2023 from 72% in 2022
Verified
23Managers in restaurants earned average $62,000 annually in 2023
Verified
24Immigrant workers comprised 21% of the workforce in 2023
Verified
25Labor participation rate in leisure/hospitality was 58.2% in 2023
Verified
26Hosts/hostesses numbered 210,000 with 3.2% growth in 2023
Single source
2765% of restaurants offered health benefits to employees in 2023, up from 55% pre-pandemic
Verified
28Food servers employment growth projected at 2.5% annually to 2032
Verified
29Average restaurant employee age was 34.2 years in 2023
Directional
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.
Establishments & Locations
1There were 748,000 restaurant locations in the US in 2023
Verified
2Quick-service establishments numbered 267,000 in 2023, 36% of total
Verified
3Full-service restaurants totaled 239,000 in 2023, down 1% from 2022
Verified
4Independent restaurants comprised 53% or 397,000 of total establishments in 2023
Single source
5Chain restaurants numbered 351,000 locations in 2023
Verified
6Fast-casual outlets grew to 28,500 in 2023, up 4.2%
Verified
7Bar and tavern establishments reached 67,000 in 2023
Verified
8New restaurant openings totaled 35,000 in 2023, net growth of 8,000
Verified
9Closures numbered 27,000 in 2023, primarily independents
Directional
10California hosted 88,000 restaurant locations in 2023, 12% national share
Verified
11Texas had 72,500 restaurants in 2023
Single source
12Ghost kitchens operated from 5,200 virtual brands in 2023
Verified
13Fine dining establishments numbered 12,400 in 2023
Verified
14Food trucks totaled 36,000 nationwide in 2023
Verified
15Average restaurant size was 4,200 sq ft for full-service in 2023
Verified
16Florida's restaurant count reached 52,000 in 2023
Verified
17Multi-unit chains operated 75% of QSR locations in 2023
Directional
18Rural areas had 112,000 establishments, 15% of total in 2023
Verified
19Buffet restaurants declined to 4,200 locations in 2023
Verified
20New York state hosted 47,000 restaurants in 2023
Verified
21Drive-thru lanes numbered 250,000 across QSRs in 2023
Directional
22Casual dining chains had 22,000 units in 2023
Verified
23Airport restaurants totaled 2,800 in 2023
Verified
24College campus dining halls served 1,200 institutions in 2023
Verified
25Vegas Strip had 450 restaurants in 2023
Verified
26Average distance to nearest restaurant was 2.1 miles nationally in 2023
Verified
27Steakhouse establishments were 6,200 in 2023
Verified
28Pop-up restaurants operated 1,500 events monthly average in 2023
Verified
29Hotel restaurants numbered 28,000 in 2023
Verified
30Food halls reached 1,800 locations in 2023, up 12%
Verified
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.
Market Size & Revenue
1In 2023, the US restaurant industry generated projected sales of $1.1 trillion, accounting for approximately 4% of the nation's gross domestic product
Verified
2Full-service restaurants contributed $362.5 billion in sales in 2023, representing 33% of total industry sales
Verified
3Limited-service restaurants saw sales of $413.4 billion in 2023, making up 38% of the total US restaurant market
Verified
4The restaurant industry's sales grew by 7.1% in 2023 compared to 2022, reaching a record high
Single source
5Foodservice sales at off-premise locations hit $487.3 billion in 2023, driven by delivery and takeout
Verified
6Bar and tavern sales reached $47.2 billion in 2023, up 5.4% from the previous year
Verified
7The total economic impact of the restaurant industry was $2.6 trillion in GDP contribution in 2023
Verified
8Quick-service restaurants (QSR) sales totaled $413 billion in 2023, with a 6.8% year-over-year growth
Verified
9Fine dining segment sales were $85.4 billion in 2023, recovering 92% from pre-pandemic levels
Verified
10US restaurant sales per capita reached $3,247 in 2023, up from $3,098 in 2022
Single source
11Casual dining sales hit $276.1 billion in 2023, comprising 25% of industry total
Verified
12The industry's projected sales for 2024 are $1.2 trillion, with 4% growth anticipated
Single source
13Off-premise dining sales grew 9.2% to $487 billion in 2023
Single source
14Total restaurant sales in Q4 2023 were $295.7 billion, a 5.4% increase YoY
Single source
15The sector's sales from alcohol beverages totaled $110 billion in 2023
Single source
16Fast-casual segment sales reached $167.5 billion in 2023, up 8.1%
Verified
17Industry sales in the South region were $398 billion in 2023, 36% of national total
Verified
18Projected 2025 sales for US restaurants are $1.4 trillion, CAGR of 3.8% from 2021-2025
Verified
19Beverage sales in restaurants grew 6.2% to $142 billion in 2023
Verified
20Total industry sales from delivery services hit $106 billion in 2023
Single source
21The US restaurant market size was valued at $899 billion in 2022, expected to grow to $1.5 trillion by 2030
Verified
22QSR market share was 37% of total sales in 2023 at $407 billion
Single source
23Full-service sales recovery reached 95% of 2019 levels by end of 2023
Verified
24Annual sales growth rate for restaurants averaged 4.5% from 2018-2023
Verified
25Ghost kitchen sales contributed $12.5 billion to industry totals in 2023
Verified
26Regional chain sales were $189 billion in 2023, 17% of market
Verified
27Sales from healthy eating options in restaurants reached $78 billion in 2023
Verified
28Industry sales in urban areas totaled $512 billion in 2023, 47% national share
Verified
29Projected inflation-adjusted sales growth for 2024 is 3.2%
Verified
30Total 2023 sales from independent restaurants were $340 billion
Verified
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.
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.
Single source
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
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
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
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). 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.
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