Restaurant industry sales are expected to reach $558 billion in 2008—a 4.4 percent increase over 2007.
The industry will employ 13.1 million individuals in 945,000 restaurant-and-foodservice outlets.
The industry will remain an economic powerhouse representing four percent of the U.S. gross domestic product and employing nine percent of the U.S. workforce.
Sales at fullservice restaurants are projected to reach $187.4 billion in 2008, an increase of 4.3 percent over 2007.
Job growth in the restaurant industry outpaced the overall economy in 2007 for the eighth consecutive year, and will continue to increase in 2008 and beyond.