Industry Overview
The Restaurant industry today has many sub-categories from privately owned large or small; full or limited service chains; fine dining restaurants; cafeteria style; fast food and so on.
The National Restaurant Association, providing quality control standards for the industry, claims over 800,000 restaurants in the United States with revenues of more than $400 billion. The largest number of restaurants is full service chains followed by the fast food chains. More Americans find themselves eating out at least once or twice a week because of heavy schedules in family and work.
San Francisco’s restaurants are varied, but the most popular are seafood (Fisherman’s Wharf area) and, thanks to one of the largest Chinese populations in the country, some of the very best authentic Chinese restaurants. In another great California city, the restaurants in Los Angeles have a different tone. Here you will find a more leisurely casual style of dining, with outdoor cafes and some of the finest Mexican food in the country.
Industry Trends
Fine dining was always found in the big cities but as the family dynamic changed, so did the eating habits of Americans.
There are more ethnic restaurants being developed today among the major chains. In any given city, a person can find Italian, Chinese, Mexican, Thai, Indian and many other varieties of food to choose from. Fast food chains have added healthier menus to the roster of hamburgers and fish sandwiches. Children’s menus provide healthier eating and smaller portions designed for young appetites.
Branded Restaurants
Among the largest full service chains is Darden Restaurants (Olive Garden, Red Lobster and others). McDonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell and Wendy’s top the list of fast food restaurants. Boston Market offers a different menu completely. All of these chains have one thing in common: Instant recognition and family dining.