Job growth at restaurants stabilized in November

Data released Friday from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows moderating growth in restaurants and bars in November, with nearly 29,000 positions added in the sector. This is compared to 3,700 jobs in October and more than 39,000 jobs added in September.

Employment in leisure and hospitality trended up in November (+53,000), following little change in the prior month (+2,000). Leisure and hospitality had added an average of 21,000 jobs per month over the prior 12 months.

Related: Full-service jobs lag as November jobless rate declines

“This morning’s report highlights a measured approach to hiring as businesses strategically prepare for growth in the new year. With the economy evolving and a new administration stepping in, many are prioritizing optimizing their current teams while setting the stage for expansion,” Restaurant365 co-founder and chief executive officer Tony Smith said. “The upward employment trend for foodservices and drinking places of +29,000 in November indicates strong expectations for 2025, with an additional boost from seasonal and holiday workers.”

Still, recruitment remains a top concern for operators. According to the new Restaurant Workforce Report for 2025, released by 7Shifts, 65% of respondents describe the current labor market as “tight” or “very tight.”

Related: October job growth stagnates nationally, including the restaurant industry

Indeed, job growth in 2024 has been choppy and eating and drinking places are on pace to add more than 150,000 jobs in 2024, or about half of the jobs added during 2023, according to the National Restaurant Association. Still, the industry continues to expand the gap above pre-pandemic staffing levels. As of November 2024, eating and drinking places were more than 154,000 jobs (or 1.3%) above their February 2020 employment peak, the association notes.

Overall, employers added 227,000 jobs in November, compared to about 37,000 jobs in October, which was impacted by hurricanes and a strike at Boeing. The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.2%. The U.S. has now seen 47 consecutive months of job gains, adding 16.8 million positions within that timeframe. Total non-farm payroll employment has surged to a record 159.3 million, which is nearly 7 million jobs — or 4.6% — above the pre-pandemic peak of February 2020.

Contact Alicia Kelso at [email protected]