If you own or operate a restaurant and need your NAICS code, here is your answer right away.
The primary NAICS code for a standard sit-down restaurant is 722511, classified under Full-Service Restaurants in the Accommodation and Food Services sector. However, “restaurant” is a broad term. The right code for your business depends entirely on how your customers order and receive their food. This page covers the relevant codes so you can identify the one that fits.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| NAICS Code | 722511 |
| Industry Title | Full-Service Restaurants |
| Sector | 72 (Accommodation and Food Services) |
| Industry Group | 7225 |
| Last Updated | 2022 NAICS Edition (Next NAICS Edition will come in 2027) |
What Does NAICS Code 722511 Cover?
According to the official 2022 NAICS data, code 722511 covers establishments primarily engaged in providing food services to patrons who order and are served while seated.
In simple terms, this is the code for traditional dine-in restaurants where the staff handles most of the service for the customer. For full-service restaurants, this includes:
- Fine dining and upscale establishments
- Casual sit-down family restaurants and diners
- Steakhouses and seafood restaurants
- eateries where patrons order from a menu at their table
- Establishments where waitstaff delivers food directly to the customer and payment is collected after the meal is finished
The important distinction here is table service. This code covers the act of providing a complete dining experience where the customer sits down and is served by restaurant staff, rather than getting their own food at a counter.
Does My Restaurant Qualify for Code 722511?
Your business qualifies for NAICS code 722511 if:
- You operate a dine-in establishment where customers are seated, order from a waiter/waitress, and are served their food
- Your main source of revenue comes from the food and drinks served to seated patrons
- You collect payment from the customer at the end of the meal
Your business may not qualify if:
- Customers order and pay at a counter or drive-thru before eating, which falls under 722513 (Limited-Service Restaurants) instead
- You serve food from a buffet line where customers get their own plates, which falls under 722514 (Cafeterias, Grill Buffets, and Buffets) instead
- You operate a food truck, cart, or concession stand, which falls under 722330 (Mobile Food Services) instead
- Your primary revenue comes from selling alcohol rather than food, which falls under 722410 (Drinking Places) instead
When your business sits between two codes, always classify based on whichever activity generates the most revenue.
Where Will You Need This Code?
Your NAICS code appears in more places than most restaurant owners expect. Here is where code 722511 will be required:
- Health Permits and Licenses. This is highly critical. County and city health departments require your NAICS code when you apply for a food service establishment permit, a liquor license, or a food handler’s certification.
- Commercial Insurance. Insurance providers use this code to calculate your premiums for General Liability, Liquor Liability, and Property Insurance. Full-service restaurants carry specific risks, such as foodborne illness claims, slip-and-fall injuries, and kitchen fires.
- SBA Loan Applications. If you need financing to build out a kitchen, purchase commercial ovens and walk-in coolers, or cover initial working capital, the Small Business Administration requires your NAICS code to assess your loan eligibility.
- POS Systems and Merchant Accounts. Payment processors (like Toast, Square, or Clover) and acquiring banks use your NAICS code to set your processing fees, as restaurants have different interchange and risk profiles than standard retail stores.
- Business Registration. Most state and local business registration portals ask for your NAICS code when you set up a new LLC, corporation, or DBA for your restaurant.
722511 in the NAICS Hierarchy
Every NAICS code sits inside a structured hierarchy. Here is exactly where 722511 fits:
| Level | Code | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | 72 | Accommodation and Food Services |
| Subsector | 722 | Food Services and Drinking Places |
| Industry Group | 7225 | Restaurants and Other Eating Places |
| NAICS Industry | 72251 | Restaurants and Other Eating Places |
| National Industry | 722511 | Full-Service Restaurants |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NAICS code for a fast-food restaurant or coffee shop?
If your customers order at a counter, pay before they eat, and either take their food to a table themselves or leave with it, you are a limited-service restaurant. Your correct code is 722513 (Limited-Service Restaurants). This applies to fast-food chains, pizzerias, coffee shops, and delis.
What is the NAICS code for a food truck?
If you operate a mobile food unit, cart, or concession trailer, your code is 722330 (Mobile Food Services). The government separates mobile food service from brick-and-mortar restaurants due to different permitting, health regulations, and operational risks.
What if my restaurant has a drive-thru but also offers table service?
You must classify your business based on the activity that generates the majority of your total revenue. If 70% of your sales come from customers dining in and ordering from a waiter, you use 722511. If 70% of your sales come through the drive-thru or counter orders, you use 722513.
Does a bar or tavern use the restaurant code?
It depends on your primary source of revenue. If your establishment primarily sells alcohol with only minimal snacks (like pretzels or pre-packaged food), you use 722410 (Drinking Places). If you operate a full kitchen, serve full meals, and food makes up a significant portion of your revenue, you should use the restaurant codes (722511 or 722513).