Analysis
NAICS 722511 is the 2022 national industry for full-service restaurants, part of 72251 (Restaurants and Other Eating Places). Census lists 11 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 258,626 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 5,387,020 people at an average annual payroll of $28,018 per employee (3rd percentile of national industries). 26% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Census lists 7 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 722513, 722514, 722515 and 722410. 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.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include bagel shops, full service, brew pub restaurants, primarily serving meals, full service, diners, full service and doughnut shops, full service, among 11 in all.
For example, providing food services where patrons generally order or select items and pay before eating, other than mobile food services, cafeterias, grill buffets, buffets, and snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars are classified in 722513 (Limited-Service Restaurants) instead.
Official definition
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing food services to patrons who order and are served while seated (i.e., waiter/waitress service) and pay after eating. These establishments may provide this type of food service to patrons in combination with selling alcoholic beverages, providing carryout services, or presenting live nontheatrical entertainment.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Providing food services where patrons generally order or select items and pay before eating, other than mobile food services, cafeterias, grill buffets, buffets, and snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars | 722513 Limited-Service Restaurants |
| Preparing and serving meals for immediate consumption using cafeteria-style or buffet serving equipment, known as cafeterias, grill buffets, or buffets | 722514 Cafeterias, Grill Buffets, and Buffets |
| Selling a specialty snack (e.g., ice cream, frozen yogurt, cookies, popcorn) or nonalcoholic beverage, except from mobile vehicles, for consumption on or near the premises | 722515 Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars |
| Preparing and serving alcoholic beverages and known as bars, taverns, or nightclubs | 722410 Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) |
| Operating a civic or social association with a restaurant for their members | 813410 Civic and Social Organizations |
| Presenting live theatrical productions and providing food and beverages for consumption on the premises | 711110 Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters |
| Restaurant meals order and delivery services (i.e., independent order and delivery services) | 492210 Local Messengers and Local Delivery |
Index entries (11)
- Bagel shops, full service
- Brew pub restaurants, primarily serving meals, full service
- Diners, full service
- Doughnut shops, full service
- Family restaurants, full service
- Fine dining restaurants, full service
- Full service restaurants
- Pizza parlors, full service
- Pizzerias, full service
- Restaurants, full service
- Steak houses, full service