Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, from 2009 to 2019, jobs in the restaurant industry grew by 61 percent and establishments grew by 44 percent, double the overall rate of growth.

NEW YORK, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) — The restaurant industry in New York City saw its highest number of establishments and jobs in 2019 after a decade of job growth that was more than double the rate for local jobs overall, said a recently released official report.

In 2019, the city’s restaurant industry had 23,650 establishments, provided 317,800 jobs, paid 10.7 billion U.S. dollars in total wages citywide, and made nearly 27 billion U.S. dollars in taxable sales, according to “The Restaurant Industry in New York City: Tracking the Recovery.”

“Despite relatively lower average wages, restaurants provide a steady source of jobs for many residents, particularly Hispanic and Asian minority populations and immigrants,” said the report issued by the Office of the New York State Comptroller and approved by New York State Comptroller Rahul Jain and Deputy Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

“More than 60 percent of NYC resident restaurant workers were immigrants in 2018, compared to 45 percent across all occupations; in 16 neighborhoods the share was between 70 percent and 90 percent,” it added.

Restaurants lend vitality to each neighborhood and are integral to Manhattan’s central business districts and the city’s vibrant tourism industry, attracting millions of visitors each year who spend a total of 46 billion U.S. dollars annually, said the report.

“The industry is the second largest component of tourism spending, behind lodging,” it added.

Residents and tourists alike are drawn to live in and visit areas with thriving retail corridors anchored by restaurants. The industry contributed about 15 percent of total taxable sales citywide in 2019, according to the report.

“The restaurant industry is essential to New York City’s social and economic fabric. From small, family-owned restaurants and food carts to four-star world-famous establishments, the City abounds with restaurants that offer cuisines from every corner of the globe,” it added.

About 30 to 50 percent of New York City’s restaurant industry is to close permanently in 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 which has ravaged the United States, it said.

This means that 12,000 restaurants and bars will disappear in the city, leading to a loss of 159,000 jobs, the report added. ■

Source: Xinhua