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Barbecue Restaurants in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

IBISWorld IBISWorld New York, United States Last Updated: May 2024 NAICS OD6236 Spotlight Report

Revenue

$4.9bn

2024

$4.9bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XXX.Xm

Employees

299k

Businesses

15,450

Wages

$X.Xbn

Barbecue Restaurants in the US industry analysis

Barbeque restaurants experienced some volatility in the last few years. Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19 and its subsequent economic impact, BBQ restaurants were bolstered by growth. When the pandemic hit, restaurant owners were forced to curtail dine-in operations, contributing to a massive dip in revenue in 2020. An uptick in take-away orders sustained many establishments during this time. Recovery was swift, however, once the government lifted stay-at-home orders, leaving consumers eager to eat out again. Rising consumer spending throughout the last few years has been a driver behind a rise in consumers dining out. Demand for BBQ has grown, with the impact of the pandemic on revenue growth being relatively brief. Revenue grew at a CAGR of 1.5% to $4.9 billion over the last five years, including a rise of 2.9% in 2024 alone.

Trends and Insights

  • Over the five years to 2024, barbecue restaurants have an increase in demand, despite moderate set-backs during the pandemic. Barbecue menu items like pulled pork, brisket and ribs, have been trending in restaurants, both contributing to a growth in demand and increasing competition.
  • Households earning $70,000 to $150,000 account for the largest share of revenue for BBQ restaurants. This demographic is moderately affluent, and have greater disposable income. Economic stability allows for indulgence in dining out, contributing to increased patronage at BBQ restaurants for this group.
  • New BBQ restaurants require substantial investment and skilled workers to establish a competitive edge in the industry. An increase in demand for barbecue and relatively low barriers to entry have encouraged operators to enter the industry.

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  • Competitive analysis, industry segmentation, financial benchmarks
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.5 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $4.9bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

BBQ epitomizes American culinary heritage

  • Once the pandemic was contained, travel restrictions faded and non-US residents resumed their travels.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Barbecue Restaurants in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Healthier lifestyles pose a challenge and opportunity

  • Though healthy eating in the US has been on the decline, it is contracting at a slower rate as Americans increasingly become aware of the impact of what they eat.

Biggest companies in the Barbecue Restaurants in the US

There are no companies that hold a large enough market share in the Barbecue Restaurants in the US industry for IBISWorld to include in this product.

Products & Services Segmentation

Barbecue Restaurants in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including On-site food, Take-out and delivery and Catering and other services. On-site food is the largest segment of the Barbecue Restaurants in the US.

Trends and Insights

BBQ joints create an inviting ambiance for on-site patrons

  • With pandemic restrictions eased, there has been a resurgence in the demand for on-site dining, including at BBQ restaurants, as people have been eager to socialize in public settings.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Operators in this industry include chain and franchised restaurants that mainly serve barbecue food. Restaurants may provide this food service in combination with selling alcoholic and other beverages. This industry does not include restaurants that sell a small portion of barbecue food as part of a wider cuisine.

What's included in this industry?

Preparing food on-site for saleSelling food and beveragesCatering large events

Companies

Purchase this report to view all major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

FULL-SERVICE RESTAURANTTAKE-OUTFRANCHISES

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 722511 - Barbecue Restaurants in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Over the five years to 2024, barbecue restaurants have an increase in demand, despite moderate set-backs during the pandemic. Barbecue menu items like pulled pork, brisket an...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Factors that influence volatility in the industry
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Households earning $70,000 to $150,000 account for the largest share of revenue for BBQ restaurants. This demographic is moderately affluent, and have greater disposable inco...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

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In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

New BBQ restaurants require substantial investment and skilled workers to establish a competitive edge in the industry. An increase in demand for barbecue and relatively low ...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Operators in the BBQ restaurant industry in the US can access various public resources, including small business loans and mentorship programs. Assistance is also available f...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Purchases are the highest cost for operating a BBQ restaurant. Menu engineering is a crucial aspect of controlling costs, and involves strategically pricing and promoting hig...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
  • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
  • Income Statement (2017-2022)
  • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
  • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Barbecue Restaurants in the US industry in United States in 2024?

The market size of the Barbecue Restaurants in the US industry in United States is $4.9bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Barbecue Restaurants in the US industry in 2024?

There are 15,450 businesses in the Barbecue Restaurants in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.9 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Barbecue Restaurants in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Barbecue Restaurants in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 1.5 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Barbecue Restaurants in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Barbecue Restaurants in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

What does the Barbecue Restaurants in the US in United States include?

Preparing food on-site for sale and Selling food and beverages are part of the Barbecue Restaurants in the US industry.

How competitive is the Barbecue Restaurants in the US industry in United States?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Barbecue Restaurants in the US industry in United States.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Caterers in the US
  • Fast Food Restaurants in the US

Complementors

  • Chain Restaurants in the US
  • Single Location Full-Service Restaurants in the US

International industries

  • There are no industries to display.

View all industries in United States

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the US include: 

  • US Census Bureau
  • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • US International Trade Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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