Food Service Labor Force

Although there are many standardized job titles identifying food workers, food industry staffing is not always clearly delineated or documented and is often undercounted. The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, estimates approximately 10 million people work in “food services and drinking places,” which represents almost 7 percent of the total national employment figure and makes this the third largest private industry source of employment in the country. The National Restaurant Association, however, estimates their industry membership employs almost 12.8 million workers, which would be closer to 10 percent of the national workforce and would make this industry the second largest private sector employer. However, there are many segments of this industry with estimates that overlap like a Venn diagram, making all counts merely estimates.