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Restaurant summer hiring soft again, projected to add 450K jobs

The number of 16- to 19-year-olds in the workforce totaled about 6 million in April, down 200,000 from the same period in 2024 and 2025. The labor force participation rate for 20- to 24-year-olds declined to 69.6% in April, down from 71% a year earlier.

Source: NRA

June 24, 2026

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U.S. restaurants are expected to add 450,000 seasonal jobs this summer, a slight dip from last year and the third consecutive year of softer seasonal hiring, according to the National Restaurant Association.

The industry added 469,000 jobs in summer 2025, and hiring has remained below the 500,000 mark since 2023, reflecting ongoing uncertainty in customer traffic and broader economic conditions.

Summer remains the busiest season for many restaurants, typically driving demand for workers across all roles, often filled by teenagers, college students and other part-time workers, including retirees.

Smaller labor pool

However, a smaller labor pool may make hiring more challenging this year. The number of 16- to 19-year-olds in the workforce totaled about 6 million in April, down 200,000 from the same period in 2024 and 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Teen workers account for roughly 20% of restaurant employees.

Young adults are also less available. The labor force participation rate for 20- to 24-year-olds declined to 69.6% in April, down from 71% a year earlier.

"Operators who began hiring early may have had fewer candidates to choose from," the association said in its forecast.

What about the World Cup traffic?

Some markets could see a boost from international tourism tied to the FIFA World Cup, taking place through July. While restaurants in host cities may increase staffing to meet demand, the short-term surge is unlikely to significantly impact overall summer employment figures, according to the report.

Hiring trends by region

Hiring trends will vary by region. Northeastern states are expected to post the strongest gains, driven by seasonal tourism. Maine is projected to see the largest proportional increase at 32%, followed by Alaska at 22% and several Mid-Atlantic and New England states at 12% to 15%.

In terms of total jobs added, New York is expected to lead with 42,100 new positions, followed by California, New Jersey and Massachusetts.

Meanwhile, states with peak tourism seasons outside the summer — including Florida and Arizona — are projected to see declines in restaurant employment.

Despite challenges with younger workers, restaurants may find relief in an expanding pool of older employees. Workers age 65 and older reached 12 million in the labor force in April, a record level. While they currently make up just 3% of restaurant employees, their presence is expected to grow in the coming years.

Overall, restaurants remain one of the largest creators of seasonal jobs, second only to the construction industry, according to the NRA.

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