The Restaurant Industry: Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's restaurants provide appetizing, healthful and nourishing food, convenience, value, entertainment, and social occasions where people can enjoy friends and family away from the stresses of daily life.  In addition, Pennsylvania's restaurants are an increasingly important part of the state's economy providing career and employment opportunities for individuals of every age, background, and skill and experience level. 

Restaurant jobs represent 9.3 percent of total employment in Pennsylvania, and restaurant sales generate tremendous tax revenues for the state.  The contribution of Pennsylvania's restaurants extends far beyond the jobs they create, the careers they build and the revenues they generate.  America's restaurants today are leaders in nutrition and healthy living, sustainability and social responsibility, and entrepreneurship and business opportunities.  Restaurants keep the promise of the American Dream alive.

Pennsylvania Restaurants by the Numbers

Pennsylvania's Economy

• Every $1 spent in Pennsylvania's restaurants generates an additional $1.25 in sales for Pennsylvania's Economy
• Each additional $1 million spent in Pennsylvania's eating-and-drinking places generates an additional 29.8 jobs in Pennsylvania

Locations

• In 2007, there were 24,221 eating-and-drinking places in Pennsylvania

Sales

• In 2009, Pennsylvania's restaurants will register $15.5 billion in sales

Jobs

• Restaurant jobs represent 7.8% of total employment in Pennsylvania
• 2008 estimated restaurant-and-foodservice employment in Pennsylvania: 453,200
• 2018 projected restaurant-and-foodservice employment in Pennsylvania: 578,500
• 7% Job Growth by 2018 representing 37,600 New Jobs in Pennsylvania

Sources:

Figures are based on National Association research and data from federal and state government agencies including the Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Census Bureau.  For more details visit www.restaurant.org/research/state.

Estimates are for eating-and-drinking place establishments and employees in 2008.  "Eating-and-drinking places" is a Census designation that represents about three-fourths of all restaurant and foodservice employment.