In June 2025, the U.S. restaurant industry received a performance index score of ***. One year prior, the industry received an index score of *****. The restaurant industry performance index is a statistical barometer measuring the overall health of the U.S. restaurant industry. The index is based on the results of the monthly Restaurant Industry Tracking Survey composed of a variety of indicators including sales, traffic, labor and capital expenditures. A value above 100 indicates a period of expansion while a value below 100 indicates a period of contraction.

This statistic shows the restaurant industry food and drink sales in the United States from 1970 to 2017. In 2016, food and drink sales of the U.S. restaurant industry amounted to approximately *** billion U.S. dollars.

More statistics and facts on fast food, the U.S. restaurant industry and the pizza (delivery) market.

U.S. restaurant industry - additional information

In 2016, food and drink sales in the United States restaurant industry amounted to *** billion U.S. dollars, up from ***** billion U.S. dollars in the previous year. Restaurants in the United States have created a booming industry that employed more than ** million people nationwide in 2015.

Unsurprisingly, the majority of food and drink sales in the U.S. restaurant industry take place in commercial restaurants. In 2016, full-service restaurant sales amounted to *** billion U.S. dollars and limited-service sales were *** U.S. dollars. The second largest contributor in 2015 was retail, vending, recreation and mobile vendors with sales of ***** billion U.S. dollars. The smallest proportion came from came from bars and taverns.

As of December 2016, things were still looking up for the U.S. restaurant industry: the monthly Restaurant Industry Tracking Survey, conducted by the National Restaurant Association, recorded a performance index score of ***** – any score over 100 indicates a period of expansion. The lowest performance index score between 2011 and 2017, ****, was recorded in August 2011. In November 2016, ** percent of U.S. consumers reported that cheaper restaurants would make them dine out more often.

Market Size statistics on the Fast Food Restaurants industry in the US

Graph and download economic data for Labor Compensation for Accommodation and Food Services: Restaurants and Other Eating Places (NAICS 72251) in the United States (IPUTN72251L020000000) from 1987 to 2024 about restaurant, accommodation, compensation, NAICS, IP, food, labor, services, and USA.

The size of the global food service market reached **** trillion U.S. dollars in 2021. This figure was forecast to grow to **** trillion U.S. dollars in 2028, showing a CAGR of *** percent from 2021 to 2028.

Graph and download economic data for Retail Sales: Restaurants and Other Eating Places (MRTSSM7225USN) from Jan 1992 to Aug 2025 about restaurant, retail trade, sales, retail, and USA.

The number of people employed in the restaurant industry in the United States fluctuated throughout the past decade. As of May 2024, this figure reached **** million, representing an increase from the previous year's total of **** million. The number of employees in the restaurant industry in the U.S. peaked in 2016 at **** million. What are the hourly wages of fast-food employees in the U.S.? The hourly wages of U.S. fast food and counter workers varied throughout 2023. As of May of that year, fast food employees in the United States had a median hourly wage of **** U.S. dollars. In total, approximately ** percent of fast-food employees earned less than ***** U.S. dollars per hour, and ** percent of those same workers earned less than ***** U.S. dollars per hour. Leading U.S. restaurant chain The leading restaurant chain in the U.S., by a measure of sales, was McDonald’s in 2022. During that year, the quick service chain experienced sales amounting to ***** billion U.S. dollars. McDonald’s was also the most valuable quick service restaurant brand in the world in 2023, with an estimated brand value of over *** billion U.S. dollars. Starbucks, who came second in the ranking, had an estimated brand value of approximately **** billion U.S. dollars.

Dataset Overview The "Restaurants in Germany" dataset contains 2000 entries detailing various attributes of restaurants located across Germany. This dataset is structured to provide insights into the restaurant industry, including location, cuisine type, pricing, and customer ratings. It is ideal for exploratory data analysis, machine learning applications, and business intelligence in the food and hospitality sector. Data Science Applications This dataset can be applied in several data science scenarios:

Customer Segmentation: Analyzing customer preferences based on restaurant ratings and cuisine types.
Recommendation Systems: Building models to recommend restaurants based on user preferences.
Market Analysis: Identifying trends in restaurant pricing and popularity across different regions.
Predictive Analytics: Forecasting customer satisfaction or sales based on historical data.
Geospatial Analysis: Mapping restaurant density and identifying underserved areas.

Column Descriptors

The dataset includes the following columns:

Restaurant Name: The name of the restaurant.
Cuisine Type: The type of cuisine offered (e.g., Italian, German, Asian).
Location: The city or region where the restaurant is located.
Price Range: The average cost per meal (e.g., low, medium, high).
Customer Rating: Average rating provided by customers (scale of 1 to 5).
Number of Reviews: Total number of reviews received by the restaurant.
Opening Hours: Typical opening hours (e.g., 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM).
etc

Ethically Mined Data

This dataset has been ethically sourced and is intended strictly for educational purposes. Users are encouraged to respect data privacy laws and avoid using this dataset for commercial or unethical purposes.

Acknowledgment

extend gratitude to the platforms and sources that contributed to compiling this dataset. Their efforts make it possible to advance education and research in data science.

Discover the booming Restaurant Business Intelligence & Analytics Software market, projected to reach $632 million in 2025 with a 9.1% CAGR. Learn about key drivers, trends, and top companies shaping this dynamic sector. Gain insights into market segmentation and regional growth opportunities.

Description: This dataset offers a granular, item-level view of daily sales from a diverse group of 50 restaurants, spanning a full year from January 2024 to January 2025. It serves as a comprehensive resource for time-series analysis, demand forecasting, and investigating the various factors that influence customer purchasing habits across different restaurant types, including Cafes, Casual Dining, Fine Dining, Food Stalls, and Kopitiams.

Each row represents the total quantity sold of a specific menu item at a single restaurant on a given day. The dataset is enriched with valuable contextual information, such as weather conditions, promotions, and special events. It also includes detailed financial metrics for each menu item, including the typical ingredient cost, the observed market price, and the actual selling price, making it ideal for analyzing pricing strategies and promotional effectiveness.

Potential Uses: This versatile dataset is well-suited for a variety of analytical projects:

1.**Sales Forecasting**: Develop time-series models (e.g., ARIMA, Prophet) to predict daily sales volumes for specific menu items, individual restaurants, or different restaurant types.

2.**Demand Analysis**: Analyze how external factors like weather conditions and special events impact sales across various item categories and restaurant types.

3.**Promotion Effectiveness**: Evaluate the impact of promotions by comparing the quantity sold and profitability on days with and without promotional activities.

4.**Menu Engineering**: Identify the most and least popular menu items to make data-driven decisions regarding menu optimization, inventory management, and marketing focus. By analyzing item popularity against profitability, restaurants can strategically design their menus to maximize revenue.

5.**Customer Behavior Insights**: Uncover patterns in sales data to understand customer preferences. For instance, determine if certain meal types are more popular on weekends versus weekdays or how pricing impacts choice across different dining segments.

6.**Comparative Analysis**: Compare sales performance, pricing strategies, and menu popularity across different restaurants and restaurant types (e.g., Casual Dining vs. Fine Dining) to identify key drivers of success.

MealMe offers in-depth restaurant menu data, including prices, from the top 100,000 restaurants across the USA and Canada. Our proprietary technology collects accurate, real-time menu and pricing information, enabling businesses to make data-driven decisions in competitive intelligence, pricing optimization, and market research. With comprehensive coverage that spans major restaurant platforms and chains, MealMe ensures your business has access to the most reliable data to excel in a rapidly evolving industry.

Platforms and Restaurants Covered: MealMe's database includes data from leading restaurant platforms such as UberEats, Postmates, ToastTakeout, SkipTheDishes, Square, Appfront, Olo, TouchBistro, and Clover, as well as direct menu data from major restaurant chains including Raising Cane’s, Panda Express, Popeyes, Burger King, and Subway. This extensive coverage ensures a detailed view of the market, helping businesses monitor trends, pricing, and availability across a broad spectrum of restaurant types and sizes.

Key Features: Comprehensive Menu Data: Access detailed menu information, including item descriptions, categories, sizes, and customizations. Real-Time Pricing: Monitor up-to-date menu prices for accurate competitive analysis. Restaurant-Specific Insights: Analyze individual restaurant chains such as Raising Cane’s and Panda Express, or platforms like UberEats, for market trends and pricing strategies. Cross-Platform Analysis: Compare menu items and pricing across platforms like ToastTakeout, Olo, and SkipTheDishes for a holistic industry view. Regional Data: Understand geographic variations in menu offerings and pricing across the USA and Canada.

Use Cases: Competitive Intelligence: Track menu offerings, pricing strategies, and seasonal trends across platforms like UberEats and Postmates or chains like Popeyes and Subway. Market Research: Identify gaps in the market by analyzing menus and pricing from top restaurants. Pricing Optimization: Use real-time pricing data to inform dynamic pricing strategies and promotions. Trend Monitoring: Stay ahead by tracking popular menu items, regional preferences, and emerging food trends. Platform Analysis: Assess how restaurants perform across delivery platforms such as SkipTheDishes, Olo, and Square. Industries Benefiting from Our Data Restaurant Chains: Optimize menu offerings and pricing strategies with detailed competitor data. Food Delivery Platforms: Benchmark menu pricing and availability across competitive platforms. Market Research Firms: Conduct detailed analyses to identify opportunities and market trends. AI & Analytics Companies: Power recommendation engines and predictive models with robust menu data. Consumer Apps: Enhance app experiences with accurate menu and pricing data. Data Delivery and Integration

MealMe offers flexible integration options to ensure seamless access to our comprehensive menu data. Whether you need bulk exports for in-depth research or real-time updates via API, our solutions are designed to scale with your business needs.

Why Choose MealMe? Extensive Coverage: Menu data from 100,000+ restaurants, including major chains like Burger King and Raising Cane’s. Real-Time Accuracy: Up-to-date pricing and menu details for actionable insights. Customizable Solutions: Tailored datasets to meet your specific business objectives. Proven Expertise: Trusted by top companies for delivering reliable, actionable data. MealMe empowers businesses with the data needed to thrive in a competitive restaurant and food delivery market. For more information or to request a demo, contact us today!

Comprehensive dataset containing 516,757 verified Fast food restaurant businesses in India with complete contact information, ratings, reviews, and location data.

Seasonally adjusted receipts of monthly survey of food services and drinking places, by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), monthly, for five months of data.

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US Fast Casual Restaurants Market Size 2025-2029

The US fast casual restaurants market size is valued to increase USD 84.5 billion, at a CAGR of 13.7% from 2024 to 2029. Demand for innovation and customization in food menus will drive the US fast casual restaurants market.

Major Market Trends & Insights

By Channel - Dine-in segment was valued at USD 48.90 billion in 2022
By Application - Franchised segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2022

Market Size & Forecast

Market Opportunities: USD 148.40 billion
Market Future Opportunities: USD 84.50 billion
CAGR from 2024 to 2029 : 13.7%

Market Summary

The Fast Casual Restaurants Market in the US continues to expand, driven by consumer preferences for fresh, customizable meal options. According to recent data, the market is projected to reach a value of USD115.5 billion by 2026, growing at a steady pace. This growth is fueled by the demand for innovation and personalization in food menus, with fast casual restaurants offering a middle ground between the limited offerings of quick-service establishments and the higher prices and longer wait times of full-service restaurants. In response to this trend, fast casual chains have been increasingly focusing on digitalization, streamlining ordering processes and enhancing the customer experience through mobile apps and contactless payment options.
However, this market segment faces intense competition from quick-service restaurants, which have also been adopting similar strategies to cater to evolving consumer preferences. As a result, fast casual restaurants must continue to differentiate themselves through unique menu offerings, efficient operations, and exceptional customer service to maintain their market share. Despite these challenges, the future of the fast casual market in the US remains promising, with opportunities for growth in both urban and suburban areas and the potential to expand beyond traditional brick-and-mortar locations through delivery and catering services.

What will be the Size of the US Fast Casual Restaurants Market during the forecast period?

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How is the Fast Casual Restaurants in US Market Segmented and what are the key trends of market segmentation?

The fast casual restaurants in US industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Channel

  Dine-in
  Takeaway


Application

  Franchised
  Standalone


Food Type

  Burger/Sandwich
  Pizza/Pasta
  Asian
  Latin American
  Chicken
  Others


Target Audience

  Millennials
  Working Professionals
  Families


Distribution Channel Specificity

  Specialty Chains
  Online Platforms
  Retail Foodservice


Geography

  North America

    US

By Channel Insights

The dine-in segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

Fast casual restaurants in the US, a hybrid of fast food and casual dining, have been continuously evolving since their inception, offering better quality meals with less frozen or processed ingredients. Operational efficiency improvements, such as revenue management techniques and table management systems, have been key to their success. Cost control strategies, including digital menu boards, inventory management software, and marketing automation tools, help maintain profitability. Third-party delivery services and brand positioning strategies cater to the growing demand for convenience. Sustainability initiatives, like food waste reduction and customer loyalty programs, enhance the dining experience and foster long-term relationships.

Kitchen display systems, food safety management, energy efficiency measures, and wait time optimization ensure consistent quality and customer satisfaction. Sales forecasting models, employee retention strategies, labor scheduling software, and restaurant management systems facilitate efficient operations. Data analytics dashboards, social media marketing, online reputation management, and order fulfillment process enhance customer engagement. Peak hour management, online ordering platforms, guest feedback systems, and customer experience metrics provide valuable insights for continuous improvement. Supply chain optimization and employee training programs ensure consistency and quality in menu offerings. According to a recent report, fast casual restaurants account for over 5% of total US foodservice sales.

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The Dine-in segment was valued at USD 48.90 billion in 2019 and showed a gradual increase during the forecast period.

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Market Dynamics

Our researchers analyzed the data with 2024 as the base year, along with the key drivers, trends, and

Graph and download economic data for Real Sectoral Output for Accommodation and Food Services: Restaurants and Other Eating Places (NAICS 72251) in the United States (IPUTN72251T010000000) from 1987 to 2024 about restaurant, accommodation, output, NAICS, IP, food, services, and USA.

Employment figures in the food services industry in India amounted to over ************* in 2021. Despite over *********** jobs lost during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry is expected to make a full recovery, back to its growth trajectory in the coming years, an estimated *********** by 2025.

The United States Quick Service Restaurants Report is Segmented by Cuisine (Bakeries, Burger, Ice Cream, Meat-Based Cuisines, Pizza, Other QSR Cuisines), Outlet (Chained Outlets, Independent Outlets), Location (Leisure, Lodging, Retail, Standalone, Travel), Service Type (Dine-In, Takeaway, Delivery). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

The global food service market size is projected to grow from $3,982.24 billion in 2025 to $6,450.30 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.13%

Graph and download economic data for Hours Worked for Accommodation and Food Services: Full-Service Restaurants (NAICS 722511) in the United States (IPUTN722511L010000000) from 1987 to 2024 about restaurant, accommodation, NAICS, hours, IP, food, services, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Sectoral Output Price Deflator for Accommodation and Food Services: Full-Service Restaurants (NAICS 722511) in the United States (IPUTN722511T051000000) from 1988 to 2024 about restaurant, accommodation, output, NAICS, IP, food, services, and USA.