The Restaurant Industry: Providing Promising and Financially Rewarding Careers

The restaurant industry has been a leader in generating economic growth for the United States, making it a desirable field for entry level workers and those wishing to advance their existing skill set. Sales statistics indicate that the restaurant industry is a leader among gross sales in industries nationwide, and employment opportunities are readily available for those desiring to make a career out of any of the food service occupations including chefs and line cooks, servers, host staff, managers, and so forth.

For those of us involved with or who desire to be involved with the restaurant industry, the future is bright. Current market research already indicates that the restaurant industry is the nation's largest employer outside of government agencies, employing and estimated 12.8 million people. Every one million dollars spent in restaurants generates 37 new jobs for the nation's economy, meaning that the estimated five percent sales increases for 2007 over the current $536.9 billion dollars will create nearly 10,000 new jobs in the restaurant industry this year.

Working in some restaurant capacity has been experienced by nearly half of all American adults. In fact, over one-third of adults began their working years in the food service industry. Entry level positions are found in all types of eating establishments including fast food, casual dining, full service restaurants, and food services connected with hospitals, schools, and so forth. Statistics like these are substantially higher than any other single industry in operation in the United States today.

However, many individuals who start out in the restaurant industry do not stay in the field long term. A major reason behind this is how labor intensive the industry is. Sales per full time employee are considerably lower than other industries. This often translates into long, hard hours for those who work in restaurants and food establishments everywhere. Yet, for those who are not afraid of hard work, long hours, and working unpredictable hours including all major holidays, the rewards can be great.

One of the restaurant industry's main appeals to potential employees is the fact that high salaries can eventually be obtained without obtaining formal education if one works long and hard enough and proves to be competent. Although many upper management individuals have obtained degrees in business, hospitality management, human resources, or other related fields, many other managers worked their way up from entry level positions and have relied on extensive experience in their chosen field to get them where they are today.

Those resilient employees who possess a sense of urgency, excellent guest relation skills, and superb management abilities can advance within their affiliated corporations to positions of upper management with annual six figure paychecks and excellent benefits. This figure is attainable in all restaurant types, including fast food, in spite of the stigma that many people associate with those who own, manage, and operate fast food establishments.

Or, for those who desire to take the knowledge and skills they have learned and branch out on their own, there are always opportunities available to become business owners by opening independent restaurants or purchasing a franchise. In fact, more than seventy percent of all restaurants are independently owned, single-unit operations.

According to data obtained from restaurant.org, with the large amount of sales generated in the industry, restaurant is referred to by some as the "cornerstone of our nation's economy." Money spent in restaurants has a ripple effect that is estimated as follows: for every dollar spent on dining, an additional $2.34 is generated in other industries allied with the restaurant industry.

Regardless of other areas of economic slowing, people have shown a tendency to always want to get out for dining and entertainment. In fact, during times of economic depression, food establishments were one of the few industries that were able to hold onto their assets and sustain themselves through the hardship.

Taking all these facts into account, the future of the restaurant industry is very promising indeed. For those who wish to escape the doldrums of working behind a desk within a tiny cubicle and have a passion for food and people, then the restaurant industry can prove to be satisfying and rewarding.