Food Service Contractors
Description
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing food services at institutional, governmental, commercial, or industrial locations of others based on contractual arrangements with these types of organizations for a specified period of time. The establishments of this industry provide food services for the convenience of the contracting organization or the contracting organization's customers. The contractual arrangement of these establishments with contracting organizations may vary by type of facility operated (e.g., cafeteria, restaurant, fast-food eating place), revenue sharing, cost structure, and personnel provided. Management staff is always provided by food service contractors. Illustrative Examples: Airline food service contractors Food concession contractors (e.g., at sporting, entertainment, convention facilities) Cafeteria food service contractors (e.g., at schools, hospitals, government offices)
Hierarchy
| Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 72 | Accommodation and Food Services 2-digit sector | The Sector as a Whole The Accommodation and Food Services sector comprises establishments providing customers with lodging and/or preparing meals, snacks, and beverages for immediate consumption. The sector includes both accommodation and food services establishments because the two activities are often combined at the same establishment. Some establishments that provide food and beverage services are classified in other sectors. Excluded from this sector are civic and social organizations. These establishments are classified in Sector 81, Other Services (except Public Administration). Amusement and recreation parks, dinner theaters, and other recreation or entertainment facilities are classified in Sector 71, Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation. Motion picture theaters are classified in Sector 51, Information. |
| 722 | Food Services and Drinking Places 3-digit subsector | Industries in the Food Services and Drinking Places subsector prepare meals, snacks, and beverages to customer order for immediate on-premises and off-premises consumption. There is a wide range of establishments in these industries. Some provide food and drink only, while others provide various combinations of seating space, waiter/waitress services, and incidental amenities, such as limited entertainment. The industries in the subsector are grouped based on the type and level of services provided. The industry groups are Special Food Services, such as food service contractors, caterers, and mobile food services; Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages); and Restaurants and Other Eating Places. Food and beverage services at hotels and motels, amusement parks, theaters, casinos, country clubs, similar recreational facilities, and civic and social organizations are included in this subsector only if these services are provided by a separate establishment primarily engaged in providing food and beverage services. Excluded from this subsector are establishments operating dinner cruises. These establishments are classified in Subsector 487, Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, because they utilize transportation equipment to provide scenic recreational entertainment. |
| 7223 | Special Food Services 4-digit industry group | This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing food services at one or more of the following locations: (1) the customer's location; (2) a location designated by the customer; or (3) from motorized vehicles or nonmotorized carts. |
| 72231 | Food Service Contractors 5-digit NAICS industry | See industry description for 722310. |
| 722310 | Food Service Contractors 6-digit U.S. detail | This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing food services at institutional, governmental, commercial, or industrial locations of others based on contractual arrangements with these types of organizations for a specified period of time. The establishments of this industry provide food services for the convenience of the contracting organization or the contracting organization's customers. The contractual arrangement of these establishments with contracting organizations may vary by type of facility operated (e.g., cafeteria, restaurant, fast-food eating place), revenue sharing, cost structure, and personnel provided. Management staff is always provided by food service contractors. Illustrative Examples: Airline food service contractors Food concession contractors (e.g., at sporting, entertainment, convention facilities) Cafeteria food service contractors (e.g., at schools, hospitals, government offices) |
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Classification References
- 01Providing food services on a single-event basis--are classified in Industry 722320, Caterers; and
- 02Supplying and servicing food vending machines--are classified in U.S. Industry 445132, Vending Machine Operators.
Index Items
Airline food services contractors
Cafeteria food services contractors (e.g., government office cafeterias, hospital cafeterias, school cafeterias)
Food concession contractors (e.g., convention facilities, entertainment facilities, sporting facilities)
Food service contractors, airline
Food service contractors, cafeteria
Food service contractors, concession operators (e.g., convention facilities, entertainment facilities, sporting facilities)
Food service contractors, industrial
Food service contractors, institutional
Industrial caterers (i.e., providing food services on a contractual arrangement (except single-event basis))
How Item Can Help
Food Service Contractors use the Warehouse Management System to track perishable inventory in real time, reducing waste by ensuring optimal expiration dates are met before distribution to restaurants.
The Order Management System consolidates deliveries from multiple vendors into a single efficient route, lowering shipping costs while guaranteeing fresh food arrives at customer locations on time.
By analyzing sales trends and historical consumption data, businesses can generate accurate demand forecasts that prevent stockouts and minimize overstocking of volatile food items.
Item.com Tools
External Resources
Census.gov NAICS Detail
Official US Census Bureau definition and scope for NAICS 722310.
National Restaurant Association
Industry trade association providing news, resources, and advocacy for food service contractors and restaurant operators.
USDA Food Service Contractors
Official government page offering guidelines and resources for businesses that contract to provide food services.
Food & Bev Times
Industry publication with articles, analysis, and directory listings for food service contracting and restaurant management.
