Number of Food Service Contractors Businesses in the US (2000–2023)
As of 2023
21,706
food service contractors businesses in the United States
Number of Firms Over Time
Total Employment Over Time
Key Insights
- •The food service contractors industry has grown 104% since 2000 (from 10,641 to 21,706 firms).
- •The peak year was 2023 with 21,706 firms.
- •Recent trend (last 5 years): the industry is growing (+26.3%).
- •Employment: 797,859 workers in 2023 (58.3% change since 2000).
- •Estimated 5-year survival rate: 57%.
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Firms | Establishments | Employment | Entry Rate | Exit Rate | Net Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 21,706 | 47,847 | 797,859 | 14.0% | 10.7% | +9.7% |
| 2022 | 20,695 | 46,786 | 729,752 | 17.4% | 9.8% | +15.6% |
| 2021 | 17,675 | 43,447 | 624,693 | 20.4% | 20.5% | -25.1% |
| 2020 | 17,894 | 43,742 | 797,117 | 13.0% | 10.5% | -3.8% |
| 2019 | 17,187 | 42,634 | 848,040 | 14.2% | 7.5% | +2.8% |
| 2018 | 16,099 | 39,737 | 823,150 | 10.8% | 9.3% | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 15,365 | 39,295 | 824,477 | 21.5% | 17.6% | +6.5% |
| 2016 | 14,776 | 37,860 | 786,582 | 21.6% | 9.7% | +9.7% |
| 2015 | 14,032 | 33,792 | 711,562 | 11.7% | 20.8% | -1.4% |
| 2014 | 13,400 | 37,006 | 721,610 | 11.9% | 13.3% | +2.9% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS). Entry/exit rates refer to establishment openings and closings.