Coffee Shops — US Industry Report
Official NAICS classification: Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars (722515)
Also known as: Cafés, Ice Cream Shops, Juice & Smoothie Bars, Donut Shops
The snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars industry in the United States generated an estimated ~$81.2B in annual revenue across 85.1K establishments employing 985.6K workers (Census Bureau). This 24-page report analyzes industry performance, competitive dynamics, and delivers 5-year growth forecasts.
Industry Snapshot
- ▸Beverage bars expanding at a pace significantly outpacing broader economic growth
- ▸Coffee shop wages rising in real terms, exceeding pre-pandemic inflation-adjusted baselines
- ▸Payroll growth diverging sharply from employment expansion across the sector
- ▸Single-location operators maintain dominant market presence with minimal consolidation pressure
Table of Contents
Key takeaways, industry definition, and current state overview. Covers the industry's scope, principal activities, NAICS classification context, and a concise snapshot of where the industry stands today. Reading this alone gives decision-makers the high-level picture they need before diving into data-backed chapters.
Historical performance analysis covering establishments, employment, and payroll (2012-2025). Examines what has driven industry performance in recent years, how the industry has responded to macroeconomic cycles, and which operating conditions have shaped revenue and labor dynamics. Includes source-cited tables and year-by-year data points.
5-year projections (2026-2030) with base case, bull case, and bear case scenarios. Each scenario combines historical trends, macroeconomic indicators from FRED, and industry-specific signals. Addresses questions on expected trajectory, forecast risk, downside drivers, and the assumptions behind each scenario.
Growth drivers, risk factors, and external environment analysis. Unpacks the forces that will shape the industry over the forecast horizon — demographic shifts, regulatory changes, technology adoption, and cyclical exposure. Frames both the upside opportunities and the structural risks operators and investors should weigh.
Market structure overview, barriers to entry, and competitive dynamics. Describes how the industry is organized between large incumbents and smaller operators, how fragmented or concentrated it is, and the typical strategies firms use to compete. Named companies and market-share figures are covered at Standard tier and above.
Cost structure, labor requirements, technology factors, and the regulatory environment. Examines where operators spend, how sensitive margins are to input costs, what workforce and technology investments are typical, and which compliance and regulatory constraints shape day-to-day operations and long-term planning.
Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats — each supported by concrete evidence from the underlying data. Moves beyond generic bullet points by tying each SWOT element to specific metrics, structural trends, or external forces identified elsewhere in the report. Useful for strategic planning and risk assessment.
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The Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars industry (NAICS 722515) encompasses 85.1K establishments in the United States employing 985.6K workers, generating an estimated ~$81.2B in annual revenue (Census Bureau). Classified within Accommodation and Food Services, the industry is positioned in a growth phase of its life cycle.
This report examines historical performance trends (2012-2025), competitive structure, geographic distribution, and provides a 5-year outlook (2026-2030) with growth drivers, risk factors, and industry-specific SWOT analysis.
Products & Services
Key service categories in the Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars industry.
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Top Questions Answered
What is the market size of the Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars industry?
The estimated market size of the Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars industry is ~$62.8B, based on VantaInsights analysis of Census Bureau data. Full analysis available in report.
How fast is the Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars industry growing?
The Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars industry has demonstrated strong growth over the past decade, consistently outpacing the broader U.S. economy. Full analysis available in report.
What does NAICS 722515 include — and what's excluded?
NAICS 722515 covers establishments primarily engaged in preparing and serving snacks and nonalcoholic beverages for immediate consumption, including smoothie bars, juice bars, specialty coffee... Full analysis available in report.
How many businesses operate in the Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars industry?
As of 2023, the industry comprises approximately 85,100 establishments employing roughly 985,600 workers, according to Census Bureau County Business Patterns data. Full analysis available in report.
How competitive is the Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars industry?
The industry is intensely competitive, with low capital barriers to entry enabling a continuous influx of independent operators and emerging concepts. Full analysis available in report.
What is the outlook for the Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars industry?
The industry is projected to continue its growth trajectory, supported by sustained consumer interest in health-oriented snacking, on-the-go meal replacement formats, and premiumized beverage... Full analysis available in report.
What drives wages and compensation in the Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars industry?
Compensation in this industry varies considerably by role, with customer-facing hourly positions representing the largest share of the workforce and exhibiting sensitivity to local minimum wage... Full analysis available in report.
Who are the major players in the Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars industry?
The competitive landscape spans three broad tiers: national platform operators with extensive franchise networks and significant brand recognition, regional chains with strong geographic... Full analysis available in report.
Get complete answers with detailed growth rates, forecasts, and competitive analysis.
Methodology
This report is produced using AI-assisted analysis of official US government data sources. Our methodology combines automated data collection from federal statistical databases with AI-assisted synthesis and validation. Every numerical claim undergoes a validation pass against source data.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns and Economic Census provide establishment counts, employment, and payroll broken out by NAICS industry and geography. The Bureau of Labor Statistics QCEW and OES programs supply quarterly wages, employment by occupation, and detailed labor cost data. The Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) service contributes macroeconomic indicators used for industry forecasting — GDP, interest rates, housing starts, and sector-specific indices.
Data freshness varies by source: Census CBP has a ~2 year lag, BLS lags 6-9 months, and FRED provides near real-time macroeconomic data. Each report includes a data currency section showing exact year ranges.
Read our full methodology →Data Sources
Every chart, table, and claim in this report traces back to a published federal statistical database. Each data point in the PDF shows its source so you can verify it against the original dataset.
- U.S. Census Bureau — County Business Patterns & Economic Census
- Bureau of Labor Statistics — QCEW
- Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)
Report Details
Industry Classification (NAICS)
Where this industry sits in the North American Industry Classification System.
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