This reference brings together recent U.S. restaurant-industry figures from the National Restaurant Association and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It is updated as new primary-source data becomes available.
Last updated: September 15, 2026
$1.55T
Projected U.S. restaurant and foodservice sales in 2026
The National Restaurant Association projects nationwide sales of $1.55 trillion in 2026, with inflation-adjusted growth of 1.3%.
Source: National Restaurant Association, February 11, 2026 ↗15.8M
Projected restaurant and foodservice jobs in 2026
Operators expected to add about 100,000 jobs in 2026, bringing total industry employment to 15.8 million.
Source: National Restaurant Association, February 11, 2026 ↗59,200
Jobs added by eating and drinking places in August 2026
The August increase was the sector's largest single-month gain since January 2023, according to preliminary labor data summarized by the Association.
Source: National Restaurant Association, September 4, 2026 ↗83,500
Jobs added in the first eight months of 2026
Eating and drinking places added 83,500 jobs from January through August 2026, with employment nearly 182,000 above the prior year.
Source: National Restaurant Association, September 4, 2026 ↗203,000
Full-service restaurant jobs still below February 2020 levels
As of July 2026, full-service restaurant employment remained 203,000 jobs, or 3.6%, below its pre-pandemic level.
Source: National Restaurant Association, September 4, 2026 ↗2.4M
Average annual openings in food preparation and serving occupations
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 2.4 million openings per year from 2025 through 2035 across food preparation and serving occupations.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2026 ↗7%
Projected employment growth for cooks from 2025 to 2035
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects cooks will grow faster than the average for all occupations, with about 393,200 openings each year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2026 ↗1.59M
Projected restaurant-cook jobs in 2035
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects restaurant-cook employment will reach 1,588,800 jobs in 2035, up 171,400 from 2025.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2026 ↗What the numbers show
Restaurants remain a large, active part of the American economy.
Sales are projected to grow in 2026, and restaurant employment is expanding overall. The workforce picture is not uniform, though: full-service restaurants remain below their February 2020 employment level, while staffing needs across hospitality continue to create a large volume of openings.
For restaurant owners, designers, and construction teams, the figures reinforce a practical point. A dining room has to work for guests and staff every day. Durable seating, clear circulation, and well-considered tables and booths remain part of the operating environment, not just the finished look.
Methodology and sources
How this page is maintained
Only figures published by named primary sources are included. Forecasts are labeled as projections, and employment figures retain the date and segment used by the source. This page will be reviewed regularly, with older figures replaced when a newer edition of the underlying source is published.
- National Restaurant Association, State of the Restaurant Industry 2026 ↗, published February 11, 2026.
- National Restaurant Association, Total restaurant industry jobs ↗, published September 4, 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Food Preparation and Serving Occupations ↗, accessed September 15, 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Cooks ↗, accessed September 15, 2026.
Cite this page
Have a Seat USA. “Restaurant Industry Statistics: 2026 U.S. Snapshot.” Updated September 15, 2026. https://haveaseatusa.com/restaurant-industry-statistics
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