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The restaurant industry is one of the largest and most important parts of the consumer economy. It spans quick-service chains, casual dining, fine dining, delivery, takeout, catering, and foodservice activity across the country.
Quick Answer (2026): The National Restaurant Association expects U.S. restaurant and foodservice sales to reach $1.55 trillion in 2026. The Association also notes that eating and drinking places make up roughly 72% of total restaurant and foodservice sales.
| Metric | Figure | Year |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. restaurant and foodservice sales forecast | $1.55 trillion | 2026 |
| Sales from eating and drinking places | ~72% of total | Current NRA reference |
| Monthly eating and drinking place sales | $98.3 billion | March 2025 |
The National Restaurant Association expects U.S. restaurant and foodservice sales to reach $1.55 trillion in 2026. That is dramatically larger than the old 2019 projection of $863 billion in your original post.
The Association also notes that eating and drinking places account for roughly 72% of total restaurant and foodservice sales, which makes them the core commercial segment of the industry.
Current sales levels show how much the industry has expanded in nominal terms since the late 2010s. Public reporting on Census-based restaurant sales showed eating and drinking place sales at $98.3 billion in March 2025, underscoring the large month-to-month scale of the sector.
Restaurant trends are important because they reflect consumer spending, employment, inflation, delivery behavior, and shifts between dine-in and off-premise occasions. A current restaurant category page should lead with present-day industry sales rather than aging 2018 and 2019 rankings.
The National Restaurant Association expects U.S. restaurant and foodservice sales of $1.55 trillion in 2026.
The National Restaurant Association says eating and drinking places make up about 72% of total sales.
Yes. Current industry sales forecasts are far above the old 2019 projection cited in the original post.
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