How Many Restaurants Are in California? 2025 Update
Discover the Restaurant Industry in California
Looking for insights on how many restaurants are in California? Whether you're researching the food service industry, planning to open a restaurant, or analyzing market trends, understanding the restaurant landscape in California provides valuable context.
Restaurants in California
Annual Sales
$152.1 billion
Employees
1,475,200
Population
39,538,223
With a population of 39,538,223, California has one restaurant for every 460.9 residents. The restaurant industry in California employs approximately 1,475,200 people, with an average of 17.2 employees per establishment.
The economic impact is significant, with restaurants in California generating $152.1 billion in annual sales. That's an average of $1,773,161 in revenue per restaurant.
How California Compares to Other States
Understanding how California's restaurant industry compares to similar states provides valuable context for business planning and market analysis.
Key Restaurant Statistics for California:
- Total Restaurants: 85,779
- State Area: 163,695 mi² (or 423,967 km²)
- Population: 39,538,223
- Annual Restaurant Sales: $152.1 billion
- Restaurant Employees: 1,475,200
- Restaurant Density per mi²: 0.52 restaurants/mi²
- Restaurants per capita: 0.0022 per person (or 460.9 people per restaurant)
Major Cities in California
Restaurant density and market opportunities vary significantly across different cities in California. Explore the restaurant statistics for major cities to find the best location for your business.
Los Angeles
San Diego
San Francisco
San Jose
Fresno
Sacramento
Oakland
Long Beach
Bakersfield
Anaheim
Santa Ana
Riverside
Where Do We Get Our Data?
At Foodylytics, we gather data from a combination of official state records, industry reports, restaurant associations, and proprietary analytics tools to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information. Learn more about our data sources here.
Need Market Insights for California?
If you're planning to open a restaurant or invest in the industry in California, having a deep understanding of the competitive landscape is crucial. Our Foodylytics Restaurant Analysis Report provides a comprehensive breakdown of California's restaurant scene, including:
- 📊 Local market analysis
- 📍 Restaurant density in different cities and neighborhoods
- 🍽️ Popular cuisines and consumer preferences
- 📈 Growth opportunities based on real data
- 💼 Employment trends and labor market insights
Need Market Insights for California?
If you're planning to open a restaurant or invest in the industry, having a deep understanding of the competitive landscape is crucial. Our Foodylytics Restaurant Analysis Report provides a comprehensive breakdown of California's restaurant scene, including:
- 📊 Top competitors by Popularity
- 📍 Closest Competitors
- 🍽️ Popular Cuisines
- 📈 Ratings and Pricing Analytics
- 🏙️ Area Insights to Understand Your Surroundings