Analysis
NAICS 722310 is the 2022 national industry for food service contractors, part of 72231 (Food Service Contractors). Census lists 9 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 29,512 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 618,579 people at an average annual payroll of $30,148 per employee (4th percentile of national industries). 41% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 10% and employment fell 5%. 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.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include airline food services contractors, cafeteria food services contractors (e.g., government…, food concession contractors (e.g., convention facilities… and food service contractors, airline, among 9 in all.
For example, providing food services on a single-event basis are classified in 722320 (Caterers) instead.
Census lists 2 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 722320 and 445132. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing food services at institutional, governmental, commercial, or industrial locations of others based on contractual arrangements with these types of organizations for a specified period of time. The establishments of this industry provide food services for the convenience of the contracting organization or the contracting organization's customers. The contractual arrangement of these establishments with contracting organizations may vary by type of facility operated (e.g., cafeteria, restaurant, fast-food eating place), revenue sharing, cost structure, and personnel provided. Management staff is always provided by food service contractors.
Illustrative Examples:
Airline food service contractors Food concession contractors (e.g., at sporting, entertainment, convention facilities) Cafeteria food service contractors (e.g., at schools, hospitals, government offices)
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
Index entries (9)
- Airline food services contractors
- Cafeteria food services contractors (e.g., government office cafeterias, hospital cafeterias, school cafeterias)
- Food concession contractors (e.g., convention facilities, entertainment facilities, sporting facilities)
- Food service contractors, airline
- Food service contractors, cafeteria
- Food service contractors, concession operators (e.g., convention facilities, entertainment facilities, sporting facilities)
- Food service contractors, industrial
- Food service contractors, institutional
- Industrial caterers (i.e., providing food services on a contractual arrangement (except single-event basis))