Analysis
NAICS 722 is the 2022 subsector for food services and drinking places, part of 72 (Accommodation and Food Services). Census lists 84 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 714,532 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 12,644,827 people at an average annual payroll of $24,695 per employee (1st percentile of national industries). 29% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
By establishments it ranks 1st of the 2 codes at this level within Accommodation and Food Services, with 91% of them.
Across its national industries Census lists 84 index entries; typical ones are airline food services contractors, banquet halls with catering staff, beverage stands, nonalcoholic, mobile and alcoholic beverage drinking places.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 8% and employment rose 3%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
It splits into 3 more detailed codes. The largest by establishments is 7225 (Restaurants and Other Eating Places) with 618,476.
Official definition
Industries in the Food Services and Drinking Places subsector prepare meals, snacks, and beverages to customer order for immediate on-premises and off-premises consumption. There is a wide range of establishments in these industries. Some provide food and drink only, while others provide various combinations of seating space, waiter/waitress services, and incidental amenities, such as limited entertainment. The industries in the subsector are grouped based on the type and level of services provided. The industry groups are Special Food Services, such as food service contractors, caterers, and mobile food services; Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages); and Restaurants and Other Eating Places.
Food and beverage services at hotels and motels, amusement parks, theaters, casinos, country clubs, similar recreational facilities, and civic and social organizations are included in this subsector only if these services are provided by a separate establishment primarily engaged in providing food and beverage services.
Excluded from this subsector are establishments operating dinner cruises. These establishments are classified in Subsector 487, Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, because they utilize transportation equipment to provide scenic recreational entertainment.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Index entries (84)
- Airline food services contractors
- Banquet halls with catering staff
- Beverage stands, nonalcoholic, mobile
- Alcoholic beverage drinking places
- Bagel shops, full service
- Cafes, limited-service
- Buffet eating places
- Bagel shops, on premise baking and carryout service