Industry reference
Current, source-linked figures on restaurant sales, employment, consumer spending, and the scale of food-service businesses in the United States.
Last updated October 27, 2026
A practical snapshot
Restaurant decisions are local, but the national data clarifies the scale of the operating environment. These figures are useful for writers, advisors, owners, and project teams who need a clean starting point for a discussion about market conditions, labor, customer spending, or facility planning.
Every figure below names its source and date. National statistics cannot determine whether a particular address, concept, or lease will work, so local demand, operating costs, approvals, and building conditions still deserve their own review.
$1.36T
This revised national forecast follows the Census Bureau's 2026 benchmark update. It is not a measure of profitability or a forecast for an individual concept.
National Restaurant Association, restaurant sales volume revisionOctober 19, 2026
15.8M
The industry's scale makes labor, layout, service flow, and back-of-house capacity practical property considerations.
National Restaurant Association, 2026 State of the Restaurant IndustryFebruary 2026
$1.41T
This is expressed in 2025 dollars. Foodservice outlets include restaurants and other places serving food for immediate consumption.
USDA Economic Research Service, Food Service IndustryJuly 8, 2026 update, 2025 data
56.3%
This share is calculated from nominal spending. It covers prepared food purchased for immediate consumption, including restaurant meals.
USDA Economic Research Service, Food Service IndustryJuly 8, 2026 update, 2025 data
$488.4B
This is a 2025-dollar estimate for the full-service segment, which helps distinguish it from the broader foodservice total.
USDA Economic Research Service, Food Service IndustryJuly 8, 2026 update, 2025 data
$516.1B
This is a 2025-dollar estimate for the limited-service segment, including the business model often described as quick service.
USDA Economic Research Service, Food Service IndustryJuly 8, 2026 update, 2025 data
4.9%
The measure places restaurant and other immediate-consumption food spending in the context of household after-tax income.
USDA Economic Research Service, Food Prices and SpendingJune 1, 2026 release, 2025 data
727,892
This preliminary establishment count comes from the federal quarterly employer series for NAICS 722, which includes restaurants, caterers, and drinking places.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Food Services and Drinking PlacesFirst quarter 2026, preliminary
12.4M
The seasonally adjusted figure is preliminary. It is a useful scale marker, not a forecast for the industry or an individual business.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Food Services and Drinking PlacesSeptember 2026, preliminary
Sources and method
This page brings together public national data and industry forecasts. Forecasts are labeled as forecasts. Spending figures marked inflation-adjusted are expressed in 2025 dollars. Employment and spending figures are labeled with the release or data period used. Source links lead to the organization that published each number.
Cite this page
Craft Buildings. “U.S. Restaurant Industry Statistics 2026.” Updated October 27, 2026. https://craftbuildings.com/restaurant-industry-statistics.
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