| Restaurant Industry Facts | | | | The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the restaurant |
| Preface: This article is very important for those looking | | | | industry's growth will be 30 per cent over the next two |
| for facts relating to the restaurant industry. If you | | | | years. Industry professionals and owners indicate that |
| intend to join this industry you must read this to take an | | | | the biggest challenge facing the industry is finding |
| informed decision. | | | | educated, competent, and well-trained management |
| Restaurant-industry sales are projected to reach a | | | | personnel to handle this growth. |
| record $426.1 billion in 2003. The restaurant industry | | | | Recruiting and retaining employees is the biggest |
| employs more than 11.7 million people in 870,000 | | | | challenge quick service operators expected to face in |
| locations. Restaurant-industry sales are forecast to | | | | 2002, with roughly one-third of the survey respondents |
| advance 4.5 percent in 2003 and equal 4 percent of | | | | rating it their top challenge. |
| the U.S. gross domestic product. | | | | Spending on food, both at home and away from |
| The restaurant industry provides work for more than 9 | | | | home, accounted for 13.6 percent of total average |
| percent of those employed in the United States. The | | | | annual household expenditures in 1999, or $5,031 per |
| average annual household expenditure for food away | | | | household. |
| from home in 2000 was $2,137, or $855 per person. | | | | August is the most popular month to eat out, and |
| Restaurant-industry employment will reach 13.3 million | | | | Saturday is the most popular day of the week for |
| by 2012. At present the restaurant industry is the | | | | dining out. |
| nation's largest employer outside of the government. | | | | |