NEW YORK - Positive news is hitting the foodservice sector, as it has been announced that in September, industry employment reportedly reached pre-pandemic levels for the first time in three years. This could mean a potential rebound for the United States restaurant industry.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data released as part of the monthly U.S employment report showed that the number of Americans employed in foodservice increased by 61,000 in September from the prior month. Foodservice and hospitality workers accounted for the majority of jobs added in the wider leisure and hospitality sector, which added 96,000 jobs last month, Reuters reported.

Overall, American employers added 336,000 jobs in September, and the unemployment rate remained unchanged in September at 3.8 percent. For the restaurant and bar industry specifically, the gains last month were almost double the average of 37,000 jobs added monthly over the past year, the source noted.

This shows a positive trend for our industry, as foodservice employment was among the most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The sector accounted for more than a quarter of the 22 million layoffs that occurred during the time frame, despite comprising just 8 percent of total employment at that time.

AndNowUKnow will keep you posted on more foodservice sector updates and employment developments.