Local market data · AI for restaurants
Restaurants by US metro, 2022
The US had 257,282 restaurants with paid staff in 2022, employing 5,208,895 people at an average of $26,895 a year. 44% have fewer than 10 staff and the average has 20.2 people. New York has the most of the big metros listed here, with 19,305.
Talk through your restaurant with the person who builds it
A free 30-minute call. You leave knowing which part of your restaurant to hand to AI first, what we would build, and roughly how long it takes.
Restaurants in the biggest US metros
| Metro | Businesses | Employees | Avg pay | Under 10 staff | Rank of 387 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 19,305 | 293,500 | $36,792 | 58% | 1st |
| Los Angeles | 11,173 | 231,745 | $32,562 | 44% | 2nd |
| Chicago | 7,262 | 141,525 | $30,681 | 46% | 3rd |
| Dallas | 5,485 | 127,398 | $27,783 | 42% | 4th |
| Miami | 5,478 | 125,033 | $31,631 | 48% | 5th |
| Houston | 4,980 | 125,616 | $25,817 | 43% | 7th |
| Atlanta | 4,907 | 105,367 | $25,977 | 41% | 8th |
| Washington | 4,723 | 103,006 | $30,691 | 44% | 9th |
| Boston | 4,572 | 98,223 | $32,761 | 41% | 10th |
| Philadelphia | 4,363 | 89,594 | $25,226 | 47% | 11th |
Each metro page adds the size mix, a calculator for what your team's admin hours cost at local pay, and the jobs restaurants hand to AI first.
Where these numbers come from
The U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022 (released 2024), NAICS 722511 (Full-service restaurants). Businesses with paid employees only. More metros are added as each set is checked. Page checked 2026-11-12.
Talk through your restaurant with the person who builds it
A free 30-minute call. You leave knowing which part of your restaurant to hand to AI first, what we would build, and roughly how long it takes.
Other industries
- Real estate agents
- Property management companies
- Commercial real estate firms
- Mortgage brokers
- Plumbers
- Electricians
- Roofers
- General contractors
- Landscapers
- Cleaning services
- Pest control companies
- Moving companies
- Dental practices
- Chiropractors
- Physical therapy practices
- Optometrists
- Veterinary clinics
- Therapy practices
- Hair salons
- Barbershops
- Nail salons
- Pet groomers
- Law firms
- Accounting firms
- Bookkeepers
- Insurance agencies
- Financial advisors
- Architects
- Interior designers
- Marketing agencies
- Recruiting agencies
- IT services companies
- Coffee shops
- Bakeries
- Catering companies
- Food trucks
- Bars and breweries
- Boutique hotels
- E-commerce brands
- Florists
- Gyms
- Golf courses
- Preschools and daycares
- Tutoring centers
- Music schools
- Auto repair shops
- Car dealerships
- Photographers