Fast food industry

Introduction:

Fast food restaurants represent one of the largest segments of the food industry with over
200,000 restaurants and $120B in sales in the U.S. alone. Fast food restaurants, also known as
quick service restaurants (QSRs), are noted for their short food preparation time. Some of the
largest players in this category include international giants like McDonald's and Yum! Brands,
national chains such as Wendy's and Burger King and regional players like Jack In The Box
and Sonic.

Since late 2006, the fast food industry's growth has been slowed by soaring food and energy
prices. The high prices of commodities, combined with the housing slump and a weakening job
market are taking a toll on restaurant spending in the U.S. (the world's largest fast food market,
by far). The same food and energy inflation that is corroding consumer spending is also taking
a bite out of company margins.

Fast food restaurants have navigated this difficult landscape with varying levels of success.
International players such as McDonald's (MCD) and Yum! Brands (YUM) have had the most
success as explosive growth in emerging markets has offset rising costs and a U.S. slowdown.
Other companies like Sonic and Domino's have turned to new marketing campaigns and
product innovation to boost growth and profitability.

History of the Fast Food Industry

The concept of fast food is generally associated with urban development. However, research
reveals that the trend has its roots in the bread-and-wine stands in ancient Rome and the
popular ready-to-eat noodle shops in many East Asian cities. All through the ancient and
medieval world, flat-bread, falafel and other heat-and-serve meals were popular attractions at
roadside stands. The kiosks or brochettes that were once associated with a clientèle, from the
not-so-elite strata of society, are now a part of the urban and ultra-modern lifestyle. The history
of Roman antiquity reveals that bread soaked in wine and stewed vegetables, and meat were
commonly sold at popinas, the eating establishments that thrived during the era. All through
the Middle Ages, major urban areas in London and Paris supported stalls that sold pies, flans,
pastries, pancakes and precooked meats. These outlets catered to the demands of single
households and town dwellers, who rented facilities devoid of kitchens. The kiosks also
catered to pilgrims and traders.

Overview of the Fast Food Industry

An overview of the fast food industry, highlights the availability of meals that suffice the need
to eat amidst tight work schedules. This has offered great respite to parents who shuttle
between work and home for major part of the day. Delicacies like fish and chips, vegetarian
and non-vegetarian burgers and pizzas are washed down with great relish, with ales and aerated
drinks served complimentary at many of these fast food restaurants. Though accompaniments
like coleslaw, baked potatoes and mushy peas satisfy the established and widely accepted
compulsion for vegetable-intake, the fried foods are becoming addictive, depriving the modern
child of a balanced diet. There is no dearth with regards to the variety available at these outlets.
Fast food franchise chains such as Subway, Burger King, McDonald's, Pret-a-Manger and
Pizza Hut cater to demands for seafood, lean meat, special diet meal components, and other
considerable regional variations. Snacks such as sandwiches and baguettes are the result of
experiments within the fast food industry. Most clientèle indulge in the semi-dry and dry
meals, to avoid interruption while working or to fulfill a family commitment that otherwise
requires a considerable amount of time to be spent in the kitchen.

Most fast food variants share similarities with distant cuisines and cultures. This industry now
thrives on international appeal promoted by niche chains. The development of healthier
alternatives to the conventional servings at fast food restaurants, has resulted in mass
promotion of portable foods that can be put together by the consumers themselves. At many
outlets and drive-ins, the customers can see the food being prepared, thus confirming to
advertisements that flaunt hygienic standards. Standardized menus, signage and a unique
ambiance are flaunted at take-away services and sit-ins all over the world. The concept of eat-
on-the-go not only eliminates the need for traditional cutlery, but also enables customers to
indulge in foods that are characteristic of certain cultural or ethnic traditions. The common
menus include pitas, fried chicken, nuggets and tacos, served along with complimentary salads
and breads. The fast food industry now operates out of convenience stores, elaborate
restaurants and independent vendors, who have popularized chant sales-pitches, standardized
cooking and production methods, and easy availability of low-cost delicacies.

Growth aspects :
Fast-food restaurants seem to be big business in India, and so a many foreign chains have
made an entry into the market to joint the early movers like McDonald's or KFC. On of the last
entrants is Bembos, and that chain from Peru will not be the last one.

Now ITCOT, a Chennai based, banks-promoted consultancy has presented the updated
version of a “Feasibility Report on Fast Food Restaurants” which has first been published in
2002. After an overwhelming response, so ITCOT, a revamped version was released in 2008
so to provide the latest statistics and information to entrepreneurs about the fast-food restaurant
segment.

The report covers both pure vegetarian and multi-cuisine type fast food restaurants which
are classified into different types in the first chapters, including a history of the “hamburger”.
The main focus of the report is on explaining franchise models and cost aspects of a fast-food
venture, introducing necessary controlling tools, among them “financial ratios”, “projected
profitability” or “projected cash flow”.

Regarding locations, for example, the report notes that the top five foreign brands, namely,
McDonald’s, Domino’s Pizza, Pizza Hut, Subway, and Pizza Corner would be focused on New
Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai which account for 53% of their total number of
outlets.

The principal factors that drive the demand for fast food restaurants would be the
increasing disposable incomes among the target groups, increase in working women,
urbanization, globalization, the consequent changes in life styles, and the brand pull, ITCOT
says, but informs also that there would be no authentic estimates of demand for fastfood
products in India.

According to Down to Earth (March 2008), Indians would spend close to Rs 4,449 crore a
year (approx. €767 million) at fast-food joints. The fast-food market would be growing at 40%
per year. If one would assume a modest growth of 30% only, so ITCOT, then the business
potential for fast food restaurants in the country may be reckoned at Rs.13,580 crore by 2011-
12.

In the United States alone, consumers spent about US$110 billion on fast food in 2000 (which
increased from US$6 billion in 1970). The National Restaurant Association forecasted that fast
food restaurants in the U.S. would reach US$142 billion in sales in 2006, a 5% increase over
2005. In comparison, the full-service restaurant segment of the food industry is expected to
generate $173 billion in sales. Fast food has been losing market share to fast casual dining
restaurants, which offer more robust and expensive cuisines.

Globalization:

McDonald's in Moscow
In 2006, the global fast food market grew by 4.8% and reached a value of 102.4 billion and a
volume of 80.3 billion transactions. In India alone the fast food industry is growing by 41% a
year.

McDonald's is located in 126 countries and on 6 continents and operates over 31,000
restaurants worldwide. On January 31, 1990 McDonald’s opened a restaurant in Moscow, and
broke opening day records for customers served. The Moscow restaurant is the busiest in the
world. The largest McDonald’s in the world is located in Beijing, People's Republic of China.

There are numerous other fast food restaurants located all over the world. Burger King has
more than 11,100 restaurants in more than 65 countries. KFC is located in 25 countries.
Subway is one of the fastest growing franchises in the world with approximately 39,129
restaurants in 90 countries as of May 2009, the first non-US location opening in December
1984 in Bahrain. Pizza Hut is located in 97 countries, with 100 locations in China. Taco Bell
has 278 restaurants located in 12 countries besides the United States.

Future of fast food industry:

The fast food industry has emerged as one of the leading industries in the country. It has been
witnessing consistent strong growth for the past few years. Despite the global financial turmoil,
the fast food industry grew at a rate of around 4% year-on-year in 2009. Our research has
found that the fast food industry is growing faster than the restaurant industry on account of
comparative cost advantage and increasing young population. Leading industry players are
readily spending on promotional activities to expand their business which, in turn, boost the
nation’s fast-food industry.

According to our new research report “US Fast Food Market Outlook 2010”, the US fast food
industry is expected to witness impressive growth rate in the near future owing to Americans
busy lifestyle that encourages them to visit fast food joints. The industry holds promising
growth prospects for both existing and new players. To support this evidence, we have done an
extensive research and analysis of different segments of the fast food industry.

The baseline for the optimistic future outlook of the fast food industry is the rise in number of
product varieties offered by the players. These players have started going for international
expansion and are offering discounts and combos to raise revenue from all the corners.
Besides, the recovery and strengthening of the US economy from 2010 onwards will also pave
way for the fast food industry to grow at faster pace in the forecast period.
Major international brands:

McDonalds, the worlds largest fast food chain, has received criticism for serving
food high in saturated fat and calories.

McDonald's, a noted fast food supplier, opened its first franchised restaurant in the US in 1955
(1974 in the UK). It has become a phenomenally successful enterprise in terms of financial
growth, brand-name recognition, and worldwide expansion. Ray Kroc, who bought the
franchising license from the McDonald brothers, pioneered many concepts which emphasized
standardization. He introduced uniform products, identical in all respects at each outlet, to
increase sales. At the same time, Kroc also insisted on cutting food costs as much as possible,
eventually using the McDonald's Corporation's size to force suppliers to conform to this ethos.

Other prominent international fast food companies include Burger King, the number two
hamburger chain in the world, known for promoting its customized menu offerings (Have it
Your Way).

Multinational corporations typically modify their menus to cater to local tastes and most
overseas outlets are owned by native franchisees. McDonald's in India, for example, uses lamb
rather than beef in its burgers because Hinduism traditionally forbids eating beef. In Israel
some McDonald's restaurants are kosher and respect the Jewish Shabbat; there is also a kosher
McDonald's in Argentina. In Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore all menu items are
halal.
Some International brands:

• A&W Restaurants
• Arby's
• Arctic Circle Restaurants
• Au Bon Pain
• Blimpie
• Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits
• Burger King, Hungry Jack's (Australia)
• Camille's Sidewalk Cafe
• Captain D's
• Carls Jr
• Charley's Grilled Subs
• Checkers
• Chester's International
• Chicken Cottage
• Chicken Delight
• Chicken Licken
• Chick-fil-A
• Chipotle Mexican Grill
• Church's Chicken
• Chowking
• Culver's
• Dairy Queen
• Del Taco
• Dixy Chicken
• Duchess
• Dunkin' Donuts
• Handel's Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt
• Hardee's
• Hesburger
• Hungry Howie's Pizza
• Jack in the Box
• Jamba Juice
• Jimmy Johns
• Jollibee
• Kentucky Fried Chicken
• Krispy Kreme
• Krystal
• McDonalds
• Mr. Hero
• New York Fries
• Noble Roman's
• Pal's
• Panda Express
• Panera bread
• ((Pardo's Chicken)) (Peru)
• Pizza Hut
• Pollo Tropical
 • Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits
• Pret A Manger
• Qdoba Mexican Grill
• Quickly
• Quiznos
• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers
• Rally's
• Red Rooster
• Round Table Pizza
• Sandella's Flatbread Cafe
• Shakey's Pizza
• Starbucks
• Steak n Shake
• Sonic Drive-In
• Subway
• Swensons
• Taco Bell
• Taco Bueno
• Taco Cabana
• Taco del Mar
• Taco Tico
• Taco Time
• TCBY
• The Pizza Company
• Tim Hortons
• Vapiano
• White Castle
• White Spot
• Wendy's
• Wendy's Supa Sundaes
• Whataburger
• Wimpy

Country of origin:
Argentina
• California Burrito Co.

Austria
• Duran
• Leberkaspepi
• Pizza Flitzer
• Pizza Mann
• Radatz
• Schnitzel Haus
• Schnitzelland
• Trzesniewski

Australia
• Boost Juice
 • Eagle Boys
• Fast Eddy's
• Fasta Pasta
• Henny Penny
• Hungry Jack's
• Michel's Patisserie
• Noodle Box
• Oporto
• Pancake Parlour
• Red Rooster
• Ultimate Headjobbers
• Chooks
• Chicken Treat
• Wokinabox
• Pizza Haven
• Marcellina

Brazil
• Bob's
• Habib's

Canada
• 241 Pizza
• A&W Canada
• Baker's Dozen Donuts
• Boston Pizza
• Template:Ahmad Burger
• Burger Baron
• Chez Ashton
• Country Style
• Dixie Lee Fried Chicken
• Extreme Pita
• Fast Eddies
• Freshslice Pizza
• Greco Pizza
• Harvey's
• In-N-Out Burger
• La Belle Province (Quebec)
• Lafleur Restaurants (Quebec)
• Lick's Homeburger
• Manchu Wok
• Mary Browns
• McDonald's Canada
• Mr. Sub
• New York Fries
• Panago
• Pita Pit
• Pizza 73
• Pizza Delight
• Pizza Nova
• Pizza Pizza
 • Robin's Donuts
• Shoeless Joe's
• Swiss Chalet
• Taco Del Mar
• Tim Hortons
• Topper's Pizza
• Valentine (Quebec)
• Wendy's
• White Spot
• Yogen Früz

Costa Rica
• Rostipollos

PR China
• Mr. Lee

Egypt
• Cook Door
• Mo'men

Finland
• Carrols
• Hesburger

France
• Mc Donald's
• Délifrance
• Flunch
• Quick

Germany
• Nordsee
• Vapiano
• Wienerwald

Greece
• Goody's

Guatemala
• Pollo Campero
India
• Pizza Corner
• Saravana Bhavan

Ireland
• Abrakebabra
• Eddie Rockets
• O'Briens Irish Sandwich Bars
• Supermac's

Israel
• Burgeranch

Italy
• Autogrill on the Italian network of Autostrada freeways
• Spizzico

Japan
• First Kitchen
• Freshness Burger
• Lotteria
• MOS Burger
• Pepper Lunch
• Sukiya, "Beef bowl"
• Yoshinoya, "Beef bowl"

Malaysia
• The Chicken Rice Shop
• KLG restaurant
• Marrybrown
• Secret Recipe
• Yellow Cab Pizza

The Netherlands
• Maoz
• FEBO

New Zealand
• Burger Fuel
• Georgie Pie - bought by McDonalds and closed
• Hell Pizza
Nigeria
• Tastee Fried Chicken
• Tantalizers

Peru
• Bembos
• Pasquale Hnos.

Philippines
• Jollibee
• Greenwich Pizza
• Chowking
• Goldilocks Bakeshop
• Max's of Manila
• Red Ribbon
• Mang Inasal
• Burger Machine
• Tokyo Tokyo

Portugal
• Burger Ranch

Puerto Rico
• Martin's BBQ
• El Meson Sandwiches

Saudi Arabia
• Al Baik
• Al Tazaj
• Herfy

Singapore
• Crystal Jade
• Old Chang Kee
• Sakae Sushi

South Africa
• Chicken Licken
• Nando's
• Something Fishy
• Spur
 • Steers

South Korea
• Mr. Pizza Korea

Spain
• Rodilla
• Telepizza

Sweden
• Max
• Sibylla

Taiwan
• 85C Bakery Cafe
• Ten Ren Tea

United Kingdom
• Bagel Nash
• Bella Italia
• Chicken Cottage
• Dixy Chicken
• EasyPizza
• Favorite Chicken
• Little Chef
• Millie's Cookies
• Pret a Manger
• Shakeaway
• Spud U Like
• Square Pie
• Wimpy

United States
• A&W Restaurants
• Amigos/Kings Classic
• Andy's Frozen Custard
• Arby's
• Arctic Circle Restaurants
• Arthur Treacher's
• Back Yard Burgers
• Baja Fresh
• Baker's Drive-thru
• Bess Eaton Donuts
• Big Apple Bagels
• Biscuitville
• Blake's Lotaburger
• Blimpie
• Bojangles'
• Boston Market
• Burger King
• Braum's
• Brown's Chicken & Pasta
• Bruster's
• Burger Street
• Burgerville
• Cafe Rio
• California Tortilla
• Captain D's
• Carl's Jr.
• Casper's Hotdogs
• Charley's Grilled Subs
• Cassano's Pizza King
• Checkers (also called Rally's Drive-In)
• Cheeburger Cheeburger
• Chick-fil-A
• Chinese Gourmet Express
• Chipotle Mexican Grill
• Church's Chicken
• CiCi's Pizza
• Cluck-U Chicken
• The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
• Cook Out
• Crown Burgers
• Crown Fried Chicken
• Culver's
• Dairy Queen
• Del Taco
• Denny's
• Dick's Drive-In
• Dog n Suds
• Domino's Pizza
• Donatos Pizza
• Dunkin' Donuts
• Einstein Bros. Bagels
• El Pollo Loco
• Erbert & Gerbert's
• Fatburger
• Fazoli's
• Firehouse Subs
• Five Guys
• Fosters Freeze
• Freddy's Frozen Custard
• Freebirds World Burrito
• Godfather's Pizza
• Gold Star Chili
• Golden Chick
• Golden Spoon
• Good Times Burgers & Frozen Custard
• Grandy's
• Gray's Papaya
• Great Steak
• Green Burrito
• Griff's Hamburgers
• Halo Burger
• Hamburger Station
• Handel's Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt
• Happi House
• Happy Joe's
• Hardee's
• Harold's Chicken Shack
• Hogi Yogi
• Honey Dew Donuts
• Hot Dog on a Stick
• Hot 'n Now
• Huddle House
• In-N-Out Burger
• Ivar's
• Jack in the Box
• Jack's Hamburgers
• Jerry's Subs & Pizza
• Jersey Mike's
• Jimboy's Tacos
• Jimmy John's
• Johnny Rockets
• Juan Pollo
• Kentucky Fried Chicken
• Kopp's Frozen Custard
• Krispy Kreme
• Krystal
• LaMar's Donuts
• LaRosa's Pizzeria
• Larry's Giant Subs
• Lenny's Sub Shop
• Little Caesar's
• Long John Silver's
• Lyon's
• Maid-Rite
• Manchu Wok
• McDonald's
• Meadows Frozen Custard
• Mellow Mushroom
• Mighty Taco
• Milio's Sandwiches
• Milo's Hamburgers
• Moe's Southwest Grill
• Monical's Pizza
• Mr. Hero
• Mrs. Winner's Chicken & Biscuits
• Nathan's Famous
• Nedick's
• Noodles and Company
• Nu-Way Weiners
• Nu Way Cafe
• The Original Hamburger Stand with Der Wienerschnitzel and Tastee-Freez
• Original Tommy's
• Pal's Sudden Service
• Panda Express
• Panera Bread
• Papa Gino's
• Papa John's
• Papa Murphy's
• Penn Station
• Peter Piper Pizza
• Pick Up Stix
• Pioneer Chicken
• Pizza Hut
• Pizza Patron
• Pizza Ranch
• Pollo Tropical
• Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits
• Portillo's Restaurants
• Port of Subs
• Qdoba
• Quiznos
• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers
• Rally's
• Ranch 1
• Rax Restaurants
• Red Burrito
• Rita's
• Rocky Rococo
• Round Table Pizza
• Roy Rogers Family Restaurants
• Runza
• Saladworks
• Sbarro
• Schlotzsky's
• Sheetz
• Shoney's
• Skipper's
• Skyline Chili
• Smoothie King
• Sneaky Pete's
• Sonic Drive-In
• Spangles
• Spicy Pickle
• Steak Escape
• Steak n Shake
• Stewart's Drive-In
• Submarina
• Subway
• Swensons
• Taco Bell
• Taco Bueno
 • Taco Cabana
• Taco del Mar
• Taco John's
• Taco Mayo
• Taco Tico
• Taco Time
• Tastee-Freez
• Ted's Hot Dogs
• Texadelphia
• The Hat
• The Whole Donut
• Tijuana Flats
• Togo's Eateries
• Tudor's Biscuit World
• The Varsity
• Village Inn
• Waffle House
• Wendy's
• Wetzel's Pretzels
• Whataburger
• White Castle
• Wienerschnitzel
• Winchell's Donuts
• WingStreet
• Winsteads
• Woody's Chicago Style
• Yello Sub
• Yum-Yum Donuts
• Zaxby's

Trends & Forces:

Growing Global Middle Class and International Expansion are a Recipe for Profit
Fast food companies with exposure to international markets have most successfully overcome
the twin hurdles of high prices and an anemic North American market. Yum! Brands and
McDonald’s, with 50% and 60% of sales overseas respectively, are the best examples of the
benefits of an international presence. Both companies have posted consistent same store sales
growth driven by double digit gains overseas. Rising overseas sales are underpinned by strong
economic growth in emerging markets like China, India, Russia, Latin America and Eastern
Europe. As more people across the globe join the middle class many are enjoying the promise
of a better diet.

Health and Wellness Concerns are Bad for Fast Food

Higher rates of heart disease, increases in the incidence of cancer, record numbers of clinically
obese people, and various other health scares have all drawn attention to the need for healthy
lifestyle choices. Rising concerns for ‘’health and wellness’’ are bad news for fast food which
is generally perceived as fattening and unhealthy. Many QSRs have responded to this negative
press by adding new, healthier offerings to their menus. Since the beginning of the decade
many companies have also responded by removing trans-fats and other unhealthy ingredients
from their offerings. Despite these efforts, fast most food restaurants retain an unhealthy
stigma.

Fast Casual Restaurants are Growing Threat

Fast casual restaurants are a growing source of competition for the fast food industry. Fast
casual restaurants like Chipotle, Cosi and Panera combine the convenience of fast food
restaurants with the quality of casual dining. This new alternative to fast food and sit down
restaurants threatens to steal market share from both. Still the fast food restaurant stands to
benefit from a U.S. consumer slowdown as strapped consumers trade down from more costly
fast casual restaurants.

Fast food restaurants or outlets today are either kiosks or elaborate quick service restaurants.
The franchise operations have generated restaurant chains that offer standardized meals across
the globe. On account of a low capital requirement and popularity of fast food, fast food
restaurants and drive-through outlets are common throughout the world. Also known as sit-ins
and upscale kiosks, these restaurants cater to the dry food demands of the younger generation,
extremely tight adult work schedules and distinct ambiance preferences across the globe.

job oppurtunities:
Nature of the Work
Food and beverage serving and related workers are the front line of customer service in full-
service restaurants, casual dining eateries, and other food service establishments. These
workers greet customers, escort them to seats and hand them menus, take food and drink
orders, and serve food and beverages. They also answer questions, explain menu items and
specials, and keep tables and dining areas clean and set for new diners. Most work as part of a
team, helping coworkers to improve workflow and customer service.

Waiters and waitresses, also called servers, are the largest group of these workers. They take
customers' orders, serve food and beverages, prepare itemized checks, and sometimes accept
payment. Their specific duties vary considerably, depending on the establishment. In casual-
dining restaurants serving routine, straightforward fare, such as salads, soups, and sandwiches,
servers are expected to provide fast, efficient, and courteous service. In fine dining restaurants,
where more complicated meals are prepared and often served over several courses, waiters and
waitresses provide more formal service emphasizing personal, attentive treatment at a more
leisurely pace. Waiters and waitresses may meet with managers and chefs before each shift to
discuss the menu and any new items or specials, review ingredients for potential food allergies,
or talk about any food safety concerns. They also discuss coordination between the kitchen and
the dining room and any customer service issues from the previous day or shift. In addition,
waiters and waitresses usually check the identification of patrons to ensure they meet the
minimum age requirement for the purchase of alcohol and tobacco products wherever those
items are sold.

Waiters and waitresses sometimes perform the duties of other food and beverage service
workers, including escorting guests to tables, serving customers seated at counters, clearing
and setting up tables, or operating a cash register. However, full-service restaurants frequently
hire other staff, such as hosts and hostesses, cashiers, or dining room attendants, to perform
these duties.

Hosts and hostesses welcome guests and maintain reservation and waiting lists. They may
direct patrons to coatrooms, restrooms, or to a place to wait until their table is ready. Hosts and
hostesses assign guests to tables suitable for the size of their group, escort patrons to their
seats, and provide menus. They also enter reservations, arrange parties, and assist with other
special requests. In some restaurants, they act as cashiers.

Food also is prepared and served in limited-service eateries, which don’t employ servers and
specialize in simpler preparations that often are made in advance. Two occupations with large
numbers of workers are common in these types of establishments: combined food preparation
and serving workers, including fast food; and counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession,
and coffee shop. Combined food preparation and serving workers are employed primarily by
fast food restaurants. They take food and beverage orders, retrieve items when ready, fill drink
cups, and accept payment. They also may heat food items and assemble salads and sandwiches,
which constitutes food preparation. Counter attendants take orders and serve food in snack
bars, cafeterias, movie theatres, and coffee shops over a counter or steam table. They may fill
cups with coffee, soda, and other beverages and may prepare fountain specialties, such as
milkshakes and ice cream sundaes. Counter attendants take carryout orders from diners and
wrap or place items in containers. They clean counters, write itemized bills, and sometimes
accept payment. Other workers, referred to as foodservers, nonrestaurant, serve food to
patrons outside of a restaurant environment. They might deliver room service meals in hotels
or meals to hospital rooms or act as carhops, bringing orders to parked cars.
Work environment. Food and beverage service workers are on their feet most of the time and
often carry heavy trays of food, dishes, and glassware. During busy dining periods, they are
under pressure to serve customers quickly and efficiently. The work is relatively safe, but
injuries from slips, cuts, and burns often result from hurrying or mishandling sharp tools. Three
occupations—food servers, nonrestaurant; dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender
helpers; and dishwashers—reported higher incident rates than many occupations throughout
the economy.

Part-time work is more common among food and beverage serving and related workers than
among workers in almost any other occupation. In 2008, those on part-time schedules included
half of all waiters and waitresses and almost three-fourths of all hosts and hostesses.

Food service and drinking establishments typically maintain long dining hours and offer
flexible and varied work opportunities. Many food and beverage serving and related workers
work evenings, weekends, and holidays. The long business hours allow for more flexible
schedules that appeal to many teenagers who can gain valuable work experience. More than
one-fifth of all food and beverage serving and related workers were 16 to 19 years old in 2008
—about six times the proportion for all workers.

Training, Other Qualifications

Most food and beverage service jobs are entry level and require a high school diploma or less.
Generally, training is received on the job; however, those who wish to work at more upscale
restaurants, where income from tips is greater and service standards are higher, may need
previous experience or vocational training.

Education and training. There are no specific educational requirements for most food and
beverage service jobs. Many employers prefer to hire high school graduates for waiter and
waitress, and host and hostess positions, but completion of high school usually is not required
for fast-food workers, counter attendants, dishwashers, and dining room attendants . Many
entrants to these jobs are in their late teens or early twenties and have a high school education
or less. Usually, they have little or no work experience. Food and beverage service jobs are a
major source of part-time employment for high school and college students, multiple job
holders, and those seeking supplemental incomes.

All new employees receive some training from their employer. They learn safe food handling
procedures and sanitation practices, for example. Some employers, particularly those in fast-
food restaurants, teach new workers using self-study programs, on-line programs, audiovisual
presentations, and instructional booklets that explain food preparation and service skills. But
most food and beverage serving and related workers pick up their skills by observing and
working with more experienced workers. Some full-service restaurants also provide new
dining room employees with some form of classroom training that alternates with periods of
on-the-job work experience. These training programs communicate the operating philosophy
of the restaurant, help establish a personal rapport with other staff, teach formal serving
techniques, and instill a desire to work as a team. They also provide an opportunity to discuss
customer service situations and the proper ways to handle unpleasant circumstances or unruly
patrons.

Some food serving workers can acquire more skills by attending relevant classes offered by
public or private vocational schools, restaurant associations, or large restaurant chains. Some
bartenders acquire their skills through formal vocational training either by attending a school
for bartending or a vocational and technical school where bartending classes are taught. These
programs often include instruction on State and local laws and regulations, cocktail recipes,
proper attire and conduct, and stocking a bar. Some of these schools help their graduates find
jobs. Although few employers require any minimum level of educational attainment, some
specialized training is usually needed in food handling and legal issues surrounding serving
alcoholic beverages. Employers are more likely to hire and promote employees based on
people skills and personal qualities than education.

Other qualifications. Restaurants rely on good food and customer service to retain loyal
customers and succeed in a competitive industry. Food and beverage serving and related
workers who exhibit excellent personal qualities—such as a neat appearance, an ability to work
as part of a team, and a natural rapport with customers—will be highly sought after. Most
States require workers who serve alcoholic beverages to be at least 18 years of age, but some
States require servers to be older..

Waiters and waitresses need a good memory to avoid confusing customers' orders and to recall
faces, names, and preferences of frequent patrons. Knowledge of a foreign language can be
helpful to communicate with a diverse clientele and staff. Restaurants and hotels that have rigid
table service standards often offer higher wages and have greater income potential from tips,
but they may also have stiffer employment requirements, such as prior table service experience
or higher education attainment than other establishments.

Employment
Food and beverage serving and related workers held 7.7 million jobs in 2008. The distribution
of jobs among the various food and beverage serving occupations was as follows:

Combined food preparation and serving workers, including

2,701,700
fast food
Waiters and waitresses 2,381,600
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee
525,400
shop
Dishwashers 522,900
Bartenders 508,700
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers 420,700
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop 350,700
Food servers, nonrestaurant 189,800
All other food preparation and serving related workers 50,900

The overwhelming majority of jobs for food and beverage serving and related workers were
found in food services and drinking places, such as restaurants, fast food outlets, bars, and
catering or contract food service operations. Jobs are located throughout the country but are
more plentiful in larger cities and tourist areas. Vacation resorts offer seasonal employment.

Average employment growth :is expected, and job opportunities should be excellent
for food and beverage serving and related workers as turnover is generally very high among
these workers, but job competition is often keen for jobs at upscale restaurants.

Employment change. Overall employment of these workers is expected to increase by 10

percent over the 2008-18 decade, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Food and beverage serving and related workers are projected to have one of the largest
numbers of new jobs arise, about 761,000, over this period. The growth in jobs is expected to
increase as the population continues to expand. However, employment will grow more slowly
than in the past as people change their dining habits. The growing popularity of take-out food
and the growing number and variety of places that offer carryout options, including at many
full-service restaurants, will slow the growth of waiters and waitresses and other serving
workers.

Projected employment growth will vary by job type. Employment of combined food
preparation and serving workers, which includes fast-food workers, is expected to increase
faster than the average for all occupations. The limited service segment of the food services
and drinking places industry has a low price advantage, fast service, and has been adding
healthier foods. Slower than average employment growth is expected for waiters and
waitresses, hosts and hostesses, and dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers,
as more people use take-out service.

Job prospects. Job opportunities at most eating and drinking places will be excellent because
many people in these occupations change jobs frequently, which creates a large number of
openings. Keen competition is expected, however, for jobs in popular restaurants and fine
dining establishments, where potential earnings from tips are greatest.