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Outlook for Restaurant and Hospitality Jobs

See what the future holds for restaurant and hospitality jobs.

If you're looking for hospitality jobs, here's some good news. Employment in the industry has been consistently growing, and it's projected to continue for several more years. However, if you want management positions in hospitality companies like restaurants, hotels, casinos and spas, be prepared to face more competition than they would for non-management jobs.

But you'll have the upper hand if you get the right restaurant management training.

Restaurant Jobs

With the National Restaurant Association (NRA) stating that industry sales were down in 2020 due to Covid, but that sales still reached $659 billion, the restaurant industry is holding on and looking to the future for more growth. According to the NRA, a million dollars in restaurant sales creates 34 new jobs. They also reported employment rested at around 12.5 million for 2020 and that the industry employs more minority managers than any other industry. National long-term projections of employment growth may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.

What does this all mean for aspiring restaurant managers? While there is opportunity in the restaurant industry, the hospitality jobs at the top of the food chain are fewer and more competitive. Expect to find the largest number of restaurant management job opportunities in chain restaurants and fewer opportunities in independently owned and operated establishments.

Hotel Jobs

Hotel and lodging businesses make up another healthy sector of the hospitality job market. The most recent information from the American Hotel and Lodging Association shows that the industry will bring roughly $600 billion to the U.S. economy in 2019.*

Many factors affect employment opportunities for aspiring hotel managers. More jobs are available in urban areas or popular tourist destinations. There may also be more opportunities for both employment and advancement in large hotel chains. Full-service hotels will also employ more people than limited-service establishments. Growth in both hotel chains and luxury hotels will result in increased employment options for hotel managers.

_{Sources: National Restaurant Association, American Hotel & Lodging Association}