2022 NAICS national industry in sector 72 Accommodation and Food Services
722320 Caterers
NAICS 722320 is the US industry code for caterers. It covers establishments primarily engaged in providing single event-based food services.
- Code
- 722320 (2022 NAICS)
- Title
- Caterers
- Part of
- Special Food Services
- SBA small business limit
- Average annual receipts up to $9 million
- Closest UK SIC
- 56210 (details)
Changes coming. The NAICS 2027 revision applies to data from 1 January 2027, and SBA proposed new size standards on 20 August 2026. The values on this page are the ones in force today; we update this page when the official files change.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing single event-based food services. These establishments generally have equipment and vehicles to transport meals and snacks to events and/or prepare food at an off-premise site. Banquet halls with catering staff are included in this industry. Examples of events catered by establishments in this industry are graduation parties, wedding receptions, business or retirement luncheons, and trade shows.
When to use a different code
Census classifies these close-sounding activities somewhere else. Businesses mainly engaged in:
- Preparing and serving meals and snacks for immediate consumption from motorized vehicles or nonmotorized carts are classified in Industry 722330, Mobile Food Services.
- Providing food services at institutional, governmental, commercial, or industrial locations of others (e.g., airline contractors, industrial caterers) based on contractual arrangements for a specified period of time are classified in Industry 722310, Food Service Contractors.
- Renting out facilities without providing catering staff are classified in Industry 531120, Lessors of Nonresidential Buildings (except Miniwarehouses).
Businesses that use this code
Activities listed under 722320
The Census index assigns these 5 activities to this code. If your business matches one, this is your code.
- Banquet halls with catering staff
- Bartender services including supply of equipment and alcohol
- Bartender services on own account (serving only)
- Caterers
- Catering services, social
SBA size standard for 722320
To count as a small business for SBA loans and federal contracts under NAICS 722320, your business (including affiliates) must not exceed $9 million in average annual receipts. Check your business.
Source: SBA table of size standards, effective March 17, 2023.
Closest UK SIC 2007 codes
There is no official one-to-one link between NAICS and UK SIC. These codes share the same international class (ISIC Rev. 4: 5621), so treat them as a starting point and check the definition.
Built from Census concordances 2022→2017 NAICS and 2017 NAICS→ISIC Rev. 4.
Similar codes to compare
Data last changed November 14, 2026. How this page is built.