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 ~$83.5B 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
- ▸Payroll acceleration substantially outpacing employment growth across the subsector
- ▸Revenue expansion occurring alongside stable labor costs as percentage of sales
- ▸Snack bar employment expansion widening the gap versus broader food service
- ▸Compensation per employee rising while remaining structurally below full-service restaurant levels
Table of Contents
1.Executive Summaryp. 5
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.
2.Industry Performancep. 7
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.
3.Industry Forecastp. 10
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.
4.Industry Outlookp. 12
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.
5.Competitive Landscapep. 14
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.
6.Operating Conditionsp. 17
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.
7.SWOT Analysisp. 20
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.
Report Preview
Low-resolution overview of all 24 pages
Want to see a full report before you buy?
Download a free sample report →Industry Analysis
The Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars industry (NAICS 722515) encompasses 85.1K establishments in the United States employing 985.6K workers, generating an estimated ~$83.5B 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.
Who Uses These Reports
Trusted by professionals who need verified federal data to make decisions
Investors & PE Firms
Size markets, validate deal theses, and benchmark targets with verified federal data before committing capital
Consultants & Advisors
Deliver data-backed recommendations to clients with sourced and cited industry metrics — Census, BLS, and FRED
Founders & Operators
Validate market entry, benchmark against industry averages, and present credible data to investors and boards
Corporate Strategy Teams
Support expansion planning, M&A due diligence, and executive reporting with NAICS-classified industry data
Top Questions Answered
What is the market size of the Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars industry?
The Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars industry generated ~$62.8B in revenue (US Census Economic Census, 2022). Full analysis available in report.
How fast has the Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars industry been growing?
Revenue followed a strong growth trajectory over the decade through 2022, according to the Economic Census. 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, extending the direction of its historical trend. Full analysis available in report.
What does NAICS 722515 cover?
Under the Census definition (NAICS 2017), this U.S. industry "comprises establishments primarily engaged in (1) preparing and/or serving a specialty snack, such as ice cream, frozen yogurt, cookies,... Full analysis available in report.
How many businesses operate in the Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars industry?
There were 85.1K establishments (Census CBP, 2023) employing 985.6K workers (Census CBP, 2023). Full analysis available in report.
How competitive is the Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars industry?
The industry carries a Fragmented label, which is based on average establishment size rather than a concentration ratio. Full analysis available in report.
Are wages keeping pace with inflation in the Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars industry?
Yes. Weekly wages in the industry have kept ahead of inflation in recent years, so real pay has improved. That adds context to the rise in employment over 2019-2023. Full analysis available in report.
Who are the major players in the Snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars industry?
With 85.1K establishments (Census CBP, 2023) and a Fragmented size label, this is an industry of many small operators rather than a handful of dominant ones. Full analysis available in report.
Get complete answers with detailed growth rates, forecasts, and competitive analysis.
Methodology
Every figure in this report is official US government data, computed in code and checked against the source by an automated validation pass. The text is drafted with AI, then read, reviewed and corrected where needed by a person. How we use AI
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 program supplies wage data by industry. 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.
Related Industries
Related Guides
Get verified coffee shop industry trends data from federal sources. US Coffee, Tea & Snack Bar Employment: 985K+ (Census CBP, 2023).
Coffee shop profit margin data from industry benchmarks. 2.5–7% net margin (2024). Cost factors, format comparisons, and trends affecting coffee shop
Get verified coffee shop startup costs data from federal sources. Market analysis based on Census, BLS & FRED data.
There were 618,476 US restaurants with paid employees in 2023 (Census CBP), plus 148,626 run with no employees. Counts by type and how we counted.
Get verified how much do coffee shop owners make data from federal sources. Typical Coffee Shop Owner Annual Income: $50K–$150K (Industry Benchmarks, 2025).