History of Restaurant in Timeline

A restaurant is a business that prepares and serves food and drinks to customers. Customers typically eat on the premises, but many restaurants also offer takeout and delivery. Restaurants vary widely in cuisine, cost, and service style, ranging from fast-food to high-end establishments.

1920: Prohibition impacts fine dining

In 1920, when Prohibition went into effect, fine dining restaurants struggled due to lost profits from wine and alcoholic beverages sales. Simpler establishments like cafeterias and diners began to replace them.

1950: Rise in Dining out in 1950

In 1950, 25% of meals were consumed outside the home, in restaurants or institutions.

1964: Civil Rights Act Outlaws Segregation

In 1964, the Civil Rights Act outlawed segregation in public accommodations, including restaurants, based on race, color, religion, or national origin. The Supreme Court case Katzenbach v. McClung upheld this, stating that racial discrimination in restaurants burdened interstate commerce.

1990: Increase in eating out in 1990

In 1990, the proportion of meals consumed outside the home, in restaurants or institutions, had risen to 46%.

2000: Restaurant growth in Vietnam in 2000

In 2000, there were approximately 20,000 restaurants in Vietnam.

2005: Michelin Releases New York City Guide

In 2005, Michelin released its first guide for the United States, specifically for New York City. This guide provided restaurant ratings, similar to the Forbes Travel Guide and AAA ratings.

2006: Restaurant Sales in 2006

In 2006, the United States had approximately 215,000 full-service restaurants with $298 billion in sales and about 250,000 limited-service (fast food) restaurants accounting for $260 billion.

2008: Restaurant industry growth during 2008 recession

During the 2008 recession, the restaurant industry continued to grow while other industries struggled. The industry employs 10 million workers and accounts for 1 in every 12 U.S. residents.

2012: Waiting Staff employed and average wage in 2012

In 2012, the waiting staff numbered 4,438,100, earning an average $8.84 per hour.

2013: Cooks employed and average wage in 2013

In 2013, Restaurants employed 912,100 cooks earning an average $9.83 per hour.

2014: American Dining-Out Spending in 2014

In 2014, Jiaxi Lu of the Washington Post reported that Americans were spending $683.4 billion a year dining out and demanding better food quality and greater variety.

2016: Restaurant Growth and Dining Trends in 2016

In 2016, the number of restaurants in the US reached 1,000,000, translating to one restaurant for every 310 people. A Gallup Poll in 2016 indicated that approximately 61% of Americans ate at a restaurant once a week or more, and Americans started spending more on restaurants than groceries.

2016: Restaurant spending overtakes grocery spending in 2016

Starting in 2016, Americans spent more on restaurants than groceries.

October 2017: Restaurant Growth in October 2017

In October 2017, The New York Times reported there were 620,000 eating and drinking places in the United States. They also reported that the number of restaurants were growing almost twice as fast as the population.

2020: Restaurant Sales Decline due to COVID-19 Pandemic

In 2020, The National Restaurant Association projected restaurant sales of $899 billion before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, due to the pandemic, they estimated a decline to $675 billion, a decrease of $274 billion from their previous estimate.

2021: Restaurant revenue in Vietnam in 2021

In 2021, the out-of-home market in Vietnam accounted for VND333.69 trillion, up 19% from 2021.

2022: Restaurant revenue in Vietnam increased in 2022

In 2022, the revenue of the restaurant industry in Vietnam reached VND610 trillion, up 16% from 2021. The number of restaurants in Vietnam increased to over 400,000 restaurants.