Analysis
NAICS 722514 is the 2022 national industry for cafeterias, grill buffets, and buffets, part of 72251 (Restaurants and Other Eating Places). Census lists 2 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 4,622 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 68,901 people at an average annual payroll of $22,646 per employee (1st percentile of national industries). 38% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 19% and employment fell 36%. 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.
By establishments it ranks 4th of the 4 codes at this level within Restaurants and Other Eating Places, with 0.7% of them.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include buffet eating places and cafeterias.
Census lists 3 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 722511, 722513 and 722515. 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 U.S. industry comprises establishments, known as cafeterias, grill buffets, or buffets, primarily engaged in preparing and serving meals for immediate consumption using cafeteria-style or buffet serving equipment, such as steam tables, refrigerated areas, display grills, and self-service nonalcoholic beverage dispensing equipment. Patrons select from food and drink items on display in a continuous cafeteria line or from buffet stations.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Providing food services to patrons who order and are served while seated and pay after eating | 722511 Full-Service Restaurants |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Index entries (2)
- Buffet eating places
- Cafeterias