Full-service restaurants led industry’s job growth in 2025

Employment Growth - U.S. job growth accelerated in January, adding approximately 130,000 jobs, surpassing expectations of 75,000 jobs, with the unemployment rate decreasing to 4.3% from 4.4% in December [1] - January marked the strongest month for employment since December 2024, with payrolls increasing by 181,000 in 2025 compared to 2.52 million in 2023 and 1.46 million in 2024 [2] Sector-Specific Trends - The health services sector has been a significant contributor to recent job increases, driven by an aging population [2] - Eating and drinking establishments added a net 27,800 jobs in January, marking the eighth consecutive monthly increase in restaurant employment, with a total of 172,000 jobs added in the last eight months [3][4] Full-Service and Limited-Service Employment - As of January 2026, eating and drinking places were 105,000 jobs (0.9%) above their February 2020 employment peak, with the full-service sector adding a net 55,000 jobs in 2025, though it remains about 3.7% below pre-pandemic levels [5] - Employment in limited-service segments, such as snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars, was 200,000 jobs (25%) above February 2020 levels as of December, while quick-service and fast-casual restaurants were 79,000 jobs (2%) above pre-pandemic levels [6] Regional Disparities - Restaurant employment gains are uneven across states, with 18 states and Washington, D.C. below pre-pandemic levels; West Virginia experienced nearly 6% fewer jobs in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the fourth quarter of 2019 [7] - States with the highest restaurant employment gains include Idaho (20%), Utah (14%), and Nevada (13%) [8]