Full-service restaurants / District of Columbia
How many full-service restaurants are in District of Columbia?
The Census Bureau counted 974 full-service restaurants with paid employees in District of Columbia in 2023. That is 7.4% more than in 2017.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA · 2023
The count
974
full-service restaurants with paid employees
- Employees
- 29,842
- Average per site
- 30.6
- Change since 2017
- +7.4%
- State rank
- 45 of 51
What the number means
District of Columbia had 974 full-service restaurants in 2023, ranking number 45 among the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Together they employed 29,842 people and paid $1.1 billion in annual payroll, an average of 30.6 employees per site.
These businesses make up 4.09% of every employer establishment in District of Columbia, above the 3.09% national share. A site count is not the same as the number of companies: a chain with 40 locations counts 40 times.
18% of full-service restaurants in District of Columbia have fewer than 5 employees, against 26% across the U.S.
District of Columbia holds 0.4% of the nation's full-service restaurants and 0.3% of all U.S. employer establishments, so, measured against the state's overall size, the trade is over-represented. The most common size class is 20 to 49 employees (301 sites). Average payroll per employee is $38,070, against $28,018 for the U.S. trade.
Size of the businesses
| Employees per site | Share | Sites | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 5 | 175 | 18.0% | |
| 5 to 9 | 148 | 15.2% | |
| 10 to 19 | 169 | 17.4% | |
| 20 to 49 | 301 | 30.9% | |
| 50 to 99 | 133 | 13.7% | |
| 100 to 249 | 44 | 4.5% | |
| 250 to 499 | 4 | 0.4% |
Count since 2017
Index: 2017 = 100. Employer establishments only. 2017 count 907; 2019 count 961; 2022 count 935; 2023 count 974. Employment +3.1% since 2017.
Biggest other trades in District of Columbia
| Trade | Sites | Employees | Since 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child day care | 303 | 4,282 | +11.8% |
| Coffee shops and snack bars | 266 | 4,202 | +25.5% |
| Beauty salons | 154 | 1,050 | −15.8% |
| Fitness centers | 121 | 2,175 | −2.4% |
| Janitorial services | 115 | 5,139 | +19.8% |
| Pet care services | 42 | 399 | +16.7% |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 37 | 1,772 | +19.4% |
| General auto repair | 31 | 160 | −3.1% |
Full-service restaurants in nearby ranks
| State | Sites | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | 1,234 | 42 |
| Rhode Island | 1,153 | 43 |
| Montana | 1,060 | 44 |
| Delaware | 899 | 46 |
| South Dakota | 675 | 47 |
| Vermont | 595 | 48 |
All states for full-service restaurants · Every trade in District of Columbia
Questions
How many full-service restaurants are in District of Columbia?
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 974 full-service restaurants with paid employees in District of Columbia in 2023. That ranks District of Columbia number 45 among the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Is the number of full-service restaurants in District of Columbia growing?
Between 2017 and 2023 the count grew (7.4%), from 907 to 974. Across the United States the count changed by +3.1% over the same period. These years include the 2020 pandemic.
Does this count include self-employed owners with no staff?
No. County Business Patterns covers establishments with at least one paid employee. A sole proprietor with no employees is counted in a separate Census series called Nonemployer Statistics, which this site does not use yet, so the real number of people working in this trade is higher than the figure shown.
Read this before using the number
These counts describe how many businesses already exist. They say nothing about demand, profit, competition near you or how much any owner earns, and we make no estimate of income. Check local licensing, costs and rules before acting on any figure here. See the disclaimer.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns (2023; change measured against 2017, 2019 and 2022). Establishments with paid employees only; employment and payroll carry Census noise infusion. Retrieved November 2, 2026. Method and sources.