United States Foodservice Market Size & Forecast 2025–2033

The United States Foodservice Market is entering a transformative era, shaped by powerful shifts in consumer behavior, technology adoption, and evolving retail landscapes. According to Renub Research, the U.S. foodservice market is expected to grow from US$ 846 billion in 2024 to US$ 1,970.47 billion by 2033, reflecting an impressive CAGR of 9.85% between 2025 and 2033.

This surge is rooted in America’s appetite for convenience, the rise of digital food ordering ecosystems, and the rapid expansion of both quick-service chains and premium dining destinations. Whether it is a fast-food drive-thru, a trendy fusion concept, a meal-kit platform, or a gourmet delivery brand, foodservice today has become an indispensable part of American life.

This article examines the outlook, growth drivers, challenges, and segment-level dynamics that are shaping the future of the U.S. foodservice industry—one of the most diverse, fast-moving, and competitive food economies in the world.

Request Free Sample Report

United States Foodservice Market Outlook

Foodservice refers to the preparation, distribution, and sale of meals and beverages intended for immediate consumption—whether inside restaurants, on-the-go, or delivered to homes and workplaces. The sector includes everything from small cafés and quick-service restaurants to large catering firms, hotel chains, and institutional cafeterias in schools, hospitals, and corporate environments.

In the United States, eating out is deeply embedded in daily culture. Urbanization, rising disposable incomes, evolving family structures, and increasingly hectic lifestyles have made dining out, takeout, and food delivery central to modern routines. While fast-food chains and fast-casual eateries continue to dominate youth and working demographics, premium dining and specialty cuisines attract tourists, food enthusiasts, and high-income consumers.

Beyond traditional dining, the sector has also been influenced by:

Health-focused menus and clean-label concepts

Tech-enabled order experiences

Cloud kitchens and delivery-exclusive brands

Growing demand for plant-based and organic dishes

Foodservice today sits at the intersection of culture, convenience, and innovation—driven by both lifestyle changes and product diversification.

Growth Drivers in the United States Foodservice Market

1. Rising Demand for Convenience and On-the-Go Foods

Convenience has become the defining characteristic of American food consumption. With long working hours, hybrid work environments, and increased mobility, consumers seek quick, accessible, and affordable meals more than ever.

This has accelerated growth in:

Quick-service restaurants (QSRs)

Food trucks

Grab-and-go retail formats

24/7 dining and drive-thru services

Brands are responding with expanded hours, simplified menus, and faster service models.

A notable example is from July 2025, when EG America expanded its grab-and-go lineup with a limited-time Cheesy Chicken Fajita Tornado, tapping into demand for fast, flavor-packed, portable meals.

2. Surge in Online Food Ordering and Delivery

Online ordering and home-delivery platforms have revolutionized how Americans consume meals. These technologies foster convenience through:

Digital menus

Cashless payments

Subscription-style loyalty programs

Delivery tracking

Broader restaurant visibility

These platforms allow smaller restaurants to reach larger audiences without expanding physical footprints.

A major development came with HelloFresh entering the online grocery market through HelloFresh Market, which offers ready-to-eat meals, fresh produce, pantry essentials, and heat-and-eat options. This reflects the rising convergence between foodservice, grocery retail, and home cooking.

3. Growing Interest in Health and Lifestyle-Oriented Dining

Health-conscious consumers are reshaping menu design across the country. Popular trends include:

Plant-based alternatives

Organic, low-calorie meals

Allergen-free and clean-label dishes

Farm-to-table experiences

Nutrient-dense bowls and customizable options

Food chains increasingly highlight sustainability and ingredient transparency. These trends support menu innovation and help brands differentiate in a competitive ecosystem.

Challenges in the United States Foodservice Market

1. Labor Shortages and Rising Operating Costs

The U.S. foodservice industry faces persistent labor shortages, particularly in:

Kitchen operations

Front-of-house service

Delivery management

Rising wages, higher ingredient costs, ongoing supply chain disruptions, and inflation continue to affect profitability. Smaller and mid-sized establishments feel the pressure most.

To counteract this, restaurants are increasingly adopting:

Automation technologies

Self-service kiosks

AI-driven order management

Digitized back-of-house systems

Still, cost pressures remain heavy across the industry.

2. Intense Competition and Evolving Consumer Preferences

The market is highly fragmented, with competition from:

National chains

Local eateries

Cloud kitchens

Meal-kit companies

Retail-prepared food sections

Grocery-delivery services

Changing dietary preferences, sustainability expectations, and convenience-led demands force brands to innovate continuously. Restaurants that fail to adapt risk losing market share in an already saturated market.

United States Commercial Foodservice Market

The commercial segment—comprising restaurants, cafes, pubs, and catering companies—is the backbone of the U.S. foodservice industry.

The rise in tourism, dining-out culture, and urbanization has particularly driven the success of:

Quick-service restaurants (QSRs)

Fast-casual chains

Premium dining concepts

The post-pandemic rebound has been heavily supported by digital ordering and delivery partnerships. In May 2025, HF Foods Group launched a new e-commerce platform exclusively for restaurant staff, demonstrating the increasing role of tech in supply chain and procurement operations.

United States Centralized Foodservice System Market

Centralized foodservice systems involve preparing meals at a single location and delivering them to satellite kitchens. These systems are especially important for:

Schools

Healthcare facilities

Corporate cafeterias

Universities

Benefits include:

High-volume production

Reduced waste

Consistent quality

Cost efficiency

As U.S. institutions grow in scale and regulations tighten, demand for centralized systems is increasing rapidly.

United States Fast Food Restaurants Market

Fast food is the dominant category within American foodservice. Brands such as:

McDonald's

Taco Bell

Wendy’s

KFC

Burger King

serve millions daily nationwide.

The popularity comes from:

Affordability

Speed

Drive-thru convenience

Digital ordering

Menu innovation

This segment is expected to maintain its stronghold as consumers increasingly favor quick, budget-friendly meals.

United States Special Food Services Restaurants Market

Special food services include:

Catering services

Food trucks

Banquet operations

Event-based cuisine providers

Demand is driven by weddings, festivals, corporate events, and seasonal functions.

Consumers are drawn to personalized menus and unique dining concepts, making this segment one of the most dynamic in the market.

Regional Foodservice Markets

California Foodservice Market

California remains a trendsetter in American food culture. With its multicultural population, tech-savvy consumers, and strong tourism, the state is home to:

Health-forward eateries

Plant-based innovators

Experimental cuisines

Top-tier fine dining

High-volume delivery operations

In February 2025, GrubMarket acquired Bay Cities Produce, leveraging AI to streamline food distribution—solidifying California’s role in food tech innovation.

New Jersey Foodservice Market

New Jersey benefits from proximity to New York City and a rich local food culture. Growth is driven by:

Family diners

Ethnic restaurants

Fast-casual chains

High catering demand

In June 2025, Konala—known for its high-protein, gluten-free, macro-friendly menu—signed an exclusive development deal to expand across New Jersey, highlighting rising demand for health-conscious fast food.

Texas Foodservice Market

Texas is a powerhouse market defined by:

Large population

Ethnic diversity

Strong tourism

Barbecue and Tex-Mex traditions

Cities like Houston, Dallas, and Austin have vibrant culinary identities. Drive-thru and delivery formats thrive due to widespread suburban living.

In July 2025, McLane Company expanded its National Commissary program in Texas, offering fresh, grab-and-go foods with seven-day refrigerated shelf life—benefiting convenience stores across the state.

Market Segmentation

By Sector

Commercial

Non-commercial

By System

Conventional Foodservice System

Centralized Foodservice System

Ready Prepared Foodservice System

Assembly-Serve Foodservice System

By Type of Restaurant

Fast Food Restaurants

Full-Service Restaurants

Limited Service Restaurants

Special Food Services Restaurants

Top 10 States

California

Texas

Florida

Illinois

Pennsylvania

Ohio

Georgia

Washington

New Jersey

Rest of United States

Key Players Covered (with 5 Viewpoints Each)

Bloomin' Brands, Inc.

Brinker International, Inc.

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.

Darden Restaurants, Inc.

Doctor's Associates, Inc. (Subway)

Domino's Pizza Inc.

Inspire Brands, Inc.

McDonald's Corporation

MTY Food Group Inc.

Northland Properties Corporation

Final Thoughts

The United States foodservice industry is evolving faster than ever before. As consumers demand more convenience, healthier choices, and digital-first dining experiences, restaurants and foodservice operators must innovate aggressively. The rise of online ordering, the expansion of fast-casual and specialty concepts, and significant technological advances are reshaping how food is prepared, delivered, and consumed.

With the market projected to reach nearly US$ 2 trillion by 2033, the foodservice sector is not only recovering—it is reinventing itself as a powerful force in the American economy. From next-gen meal kits to health-forward drive-thrus and AI-led supply chains, the future of foodservice in the United States looks dynamic, diverse, and undeniably promising.