2022 NAICS industry in sector 72 Accommodation and Food Services
72251 Restaurants and Other Eating Places
NAICS 72251 is the US industry code for restaurants and other eating places. It covers establishments primarily engaged in one of the following: (1) providing food services to patrons who order and are served while seated (i.e., waiter/waitress service) and pay after eating; (2) providing food services to patrons who generally order or select items (e.g., at a counter, in a buffet line) and pay before eating; or (3) preparing and/or serving a specialty snack (e.g., ice cream, frozen yogurt, cookies) and/or nonalcoholic beverages (e.g., coffee, juices, sodas) for consumption on or near the premises.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in one of the following: (1) providing food services to patrons who order and are served while seated (i.e., waiter/waitress service) and pay after eating; (2) providing food services to patrons who generally order or select items (e.g., at a counter, in a buffet line) and pay before eating; or (3) preparing and/or serving a specialty snack (e.g., ice cream, frozen yogurt, cookies) and/or nonalcoholic beverages (e.g., coffee, juices, sodas) for consumption on or near the premises.
When to use a different code
Census classifies these close-sounding activities somewhere else. Businesses mainly engaged in:
- Preparing and serving alcoholic beverages and known as bars, taverns, or nightclubs are classified in Industry 72241, Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages).
- Preparing and serving snacks and nonalcoholic beverages from mobile vehicles for immediate consumption are classified in Industry 72233, Mobile Food Services.
- Presenting live theatrical productions and providing food and beverages for consumption on the premises are classified in Industry 71111, Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters.
- Operating a civic or social association with a restaurant for their members are classified in Industry 81341, Civic and Social Organizations.
- Operating as street vendors (except food) or retailing food (except food prepared and served for immediate consumption) are classified in Sector 44-45, Retail Trade.
- Restaurant meals order and delivery services (i.e., independent order and delivery services) are classified in Industry 49221, Local Messengers and Local Delivery.
Codes in 72251
Data last changed November 14, 2026. How this page is built.