The National Restaurant Association’s annual Eating and Drinking Place Summer Employment Forecast predicts eatery operators will add 525,000 jobs for the 2024 season. That’s down slightly from 552,000 seasonal jobs last year. (The strongest such employment in the 26 years the survey has been done took place in 2015, when the industry made 555,000 such hires.)
The restaurant industry views itself as the nation’s training ground. Sixty-three percent of adults have worked in the restaurant industry at some point in their lives. One in 10 people currently work in foodservice, making it the nation’s second-largest private employer.
“Restaurant jobs are particularly valuable because employees can learn a host of skills in a short time that are investments for both their business and everyday life,” said Michelle Korsmo, President & CEO of the National Restaurant Association. “According to our survey, among adults who have worked in the industry, a majority (63%) think working in the industry is extremely or very beneficial for skill development. Additionally, 79% of adults agree working in the restaurant industry is valuable for professional development and that they still use those skills like teamwork, prioritization, communication, adaptability, and attention to detail.”
Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association comprises more than 1 million restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of 15.5 million.
Click here to see the full forecast, which includes a state-by-state predictions for the number of seasonal jobs.