Analysis
NAICS 72251 is the 2022 NAICS industry for restaurants and other eating places, part of 7225 (Restaurants and Other Eating Places). Census lists 48 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 618,476 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 11,406,584 people at an average annual payroll of $24,280 per employee (1st percentile of national industries). 26% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Census lists 5 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 72241, 72233, 71111 and 81341. 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.
Across its national industries Census lists 48 index entries; typical ones are bagel shops, full service, cafes, limited-service, buffet eating places and bagel shops, on premise baking and carryout service.
It splits into 4 more detailed codes. The largest by establishments is 722513 (Limited-Service Restaurants) with 270,088.
Its more detailed codes are 722511 Full-Service Restaurants (258,626 establishments), 722513 Limited-Service Restaurants (270,088 establishments), 722514 Cafeterias, Grill Buffets, and Buffets (4,622 establishments) and 722515 Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars (85,140 establishments).
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in one of the following: (1) providing food services to patrons who order and are served while seated (i.e., waiter/waitress service) and pay after eating; (2) providing food services to patrons who generally order or select items (e.g., at a counter, in a buffet line) and pay before eating; or (3) preparing and/or serving a specialty snack (e.g., ice cream, frozen yogurt, cookies) and/or nonalcoholic beverages (e.g., coffee, juices, sodas) for consumption on or near the premises.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Preparing and serving alcoholic beverages and known as bars, taverns, or nightclubs | 72241 Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) |
| Preparing and serving snacks and nonalcoholic beverages from mobile vehicles for immediate consumption | 72233 Mobile Food Services |
| Presenting live theatrical productions and providing food and beverages for consumption on the premises | 71111 Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters |
| Operating a civic or social association with a restaurant for their members | 81341 Civic and Social Organizations |
| Restaurant meals order and delivery services (i.e., independent order and delivery services) | 49221 Local Messengers and Local Delivery |
Index entries (48)
- Bagel shops, full service
- Cafes, limited-service
- Buffet eating places
- Bagel shops, on premise baking and carryout service