National Restaurant Association Releases Employment Outlook for Summer of 2008
Source: National Restaurant Association
May 31, 2008 - 7:18:18 AM
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(Washington, D.C.) The National Restaurant Association today released its
employment projections for the summer of 2008. Nationally, eating and drinking
places are projected to add 402,900 jobs during the 2008 summer season,
representing a 4.2 percent increase over their March 2008 employment level.
America's 945,000 restaurants remains one of the largest employers in the nation
with its 13.1 million employees—a number projected to grow by 2 million
positions in the next decade.
"The nation's restaurants are still
posting solid job growth rates despite current economic challenges," said Hudson
Riehle, senior vice president of research and information services for the
Association. "While growth is slightly slower than in past years, the industry
is still a strong creator of career and employment opportunities and a driver of
the nation's economy. As the summer months are typically the peak season for
travel and tourism, restaurants tend to increase staffing to accommodate
additional customer traffic."
Eating and drinking places added 499,900
jobs (a 5.3 percent increase) during the 2007 summer season, and 415,300 jobs
(4.5 percent increase) during the 2006 summer season.
The restaurant
industry is the nation’s second largest creator of seasonal jobs during the
summer months – ranking only behind the construction industry, which generally
adds approximately 700,000 jobs during the summer season.
The states
projected to add the most eating and drinking place jobs during the 2008 summer
season are California (35,200), New York (34,700), Texas (25,500), Massachusetts
(22,700), Illinois (22,000) and New Jersey (20,100).
The states
projected to register the largest proportional employment increase during the
2008 summer season are Maine (30.2 percent increase) and Alaska (24.0 percent
increase). Due to the fact that their busiest seasons for travel and tourism are
not in the summer months, two states are projected to register declines in
eating and drinking place employment during the 2008 summer season: Florida
(-18,300) and Arizona (-3,900).
Summer employment is defined as the
average number of jobs in June, July and August. The number of summer jobs is
the difference between the projected total 2008 summer employment and the March
2008 employment level. Generally, the U.S. restaurant industry begins to ramp up
its summer seasonal hiring in April, and it peaks in June, July and August.
The National Restaurant Association, founded in 1919, is the leading business
association for the restaurant industry, which is comprised of 945,000
restaurant and foodservice outlets and a work force of 13.1 million employees -
making it the cornerstone of the economy, career opportunities and community
involvement. Along with the National Restaurant Association Educational
Foundation, the Association works to represent, educate and promote the rapidly
growing industry. For more information, visit our Web site at www.restaurant.org
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