The United States Restaurant Industry
* 46.7% of the nation’s food dollar is spent on meals away from home, up from 25% in 1955.
* Total U.S. foodservice industry sales will reach $476 billion in 2005, up 4.9% over 2004.
* U.S. consumers will spend more than $1.3 billion per day on food away from home in 2005.
* The restaurant industry’s sales equal 4% of the U.S. gross domestic product.
* The restaurant industry is the nation’s largest private employer, providing jobs for 12.2 million people in 900,000 locations.
Quick Facts
* The chances that you dined out yesterday: 1 in 2.
* 40% of all adults have worked in the foodservice industry at some time.
* 25% of table-service restaurant sales come from travelers & visitors.
* Entrée salads have increased in popularity more than other menu items at both full- and quick-service restaurants.
SOURCE: Colorado Restaurant Association using National Restaurant Association and Colorado State Government data.