---
title: "Cafeterias, Grill Buffets, & Buffets — NAICS 722514"
url: "https://vantainsights.com/industry/722514-cafeterias-grill-buffets-buffets"
naics: "722514"
naics_frame: "2017"
updated: "2026-09-17"
---

# Cafeterias, Grill Buffets, & Buffets

NAICS 722514

## Key Figures

| Figure | Value | Source | Year |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Establishments | 4,622 | Census CBP | 2023 |
| Employment | 68,901 | Census CBP | 2023 |
| Market size | $5.7B | Census Economic Census | 2022 |

Figures are published for NAICS 722514 directly.

## Official definition

This U.S. industry comprises establishments, known as cafeterias, grill buffets, or buffets, primarily engaged in preparing and serving meals for immediate consumption using cafeteria-style or buffet serving equipment, such as steam tables, refrigerated areas, display grills, and self-service nonalcoholic beverage dispensing equipment. Patrons select from food and drink items on display in a continuous cafeteria line or from buffet stations.

Source: US Census Bureau, 2017 NAICS Definitions. Public domain.

## Which code does this activity belong in?

Cafeterias, grill buffets, and buffets use self-service display equipment where patrons select items and pay before eating, distinguishing them from full-service restaurants where seated patrons receive waiter service and pay after eating. They differ from limited-service restaurants, which also involve patron payment before eating but use counter ordering rather than cafeteria-line or buffet-station selection. Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars, by contrast, specialize in a unique snack or beverage item rather than preparing complete meals for immediate consumption.

*VantaInsights Analysis, AI-drafted.*

## Where this sits

- [72 Accommodation and Food Services](https://vantainsights.com/industry/72-accommodation-food-services)
- [722 Food Services and Drinking Places](https://vantainsights.com/industry/722-food-services-drinking-places)
- [7225 Restaurants and Other Eating Places](https://vantainsights.com/industry/7225-restaurants-other-eating-places)
- [72251 Restaurants and Other Eating Places](https://vantainsights.com/reports/72251-restaurants-other-eating-places)

## Related classifications

- [722511 Full-Service Restaurants](https://vantainsights.com/industry/722511-full-service-restaurants)
- [722513 Limited-Service Restaurants](https://vantainsights.com/industry/722513-limited-service-restaurants)
- [722515 Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars](https://vantainsights.com/reports/722515-snack-nonalcoholic-beverage-bars)

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Markdown mirror of https://vantainsights.com/industry/722514-cafeterias-grill-buffets-buffets, built from the same data on each request.