Investing in the Food & Beverage Industry: E-2 Visa Insights

 

The food and beverage industry is a central part of the U.S. economy and continues to grow steadily. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service (ERS), Americans spent $2.63 trillion on food in 2024, with $1.54 trillion spent dining out. Food consumed away from home now represents 58.5 percent of all food expenditures, a record high.

The restaurant and foodservice segment plays a major economic role. Escoffier reports the industry surpassed $1 trillion in sales in 2023 and is projected to reach $1.1 trillion in 2024, a 5.4 percent year-over-year increase. In the same year, it contributed about $684 billion to gross domestic product (GDP), or 2.5 percent of the U.S. economy. The National Restaurant Association adds that restaurants are the second-largest private employer, supporting 15.5 million jobs across more than one million locations. Every dollar spent in restaurants generates an estimated $2.68 in economic activity.

Manufacturing within the sector reinforces its scale and stability. According to USDA ERS, food and beverage processing employed about 1.7 million workers in 2021, equal to 15.4 percent of all U.S. manufacturing jobs. Within the industry, meat processing accounted for 26.2 percent of sales, followed by dairy at 12.8 percent, other foods at 12.4 percent, beverages at 11.3 percent, and grain and oilseeds at 10.4 percent.

 

How the Food & Beverage Market Aligns with the E-2 Visa

The E-2 Treaty Investor visa allows nationals of treaty countries to live and work in the United States by making a substantial investment in a bona fide business. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), applicants must show that funds are at risk, the enterprise is more than marginal, and that they will direct and develop the business.

The food and beverage industry is well suited for E-2 investments. Restaurants, cafés, and beverage outlets require physical locations, equipment, staff, and ongoing operations. All of these demonstrate the hallmarks of a real, operating enterprise. Industry data confirms steady demand, with dining out now representing the majority of food spending in the United States. For investors, this creates opportunities that meet E-2 criteria while tapping into a market with proven resilience.

 

Practical Tips for Food & Beverage Investors

1. Choose location with purpose
   The National Restaurant Association reports the restaurant sector employs more than 15.5 million people across over 1 million outlets. With this many establishments, competition is intense. A smart location strategy requires looking at demographics, household income, and nearby competitors. Quick-service formats often perform best in commercial districts, while full-service restaurants see stronger results in residential areas with higher disposable income.
2. Align with consumer food spending
   Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service shows 58.5 percent of all U.S. food spending in 2024 went to meals eaten away from home. This trend confirms that dining out has become routine for American households. Investors should consider models such as fast-casual dining, cafés, or hybrid dine-in and takeout to match this consumer behavior.
3. Anticipate cost pressures
   Escoffier notes that U.S. foodservice sales exceeded $1 trillion in 2023 and are expected to reach $1.1 trillion in 2024, a 5.4 percent increase. Revenue growth is strong, but margins remain thin because of labor and food costs. Investors should track inventory closely, negotiate supplier contracts, and plan for wage differences by region to safeguard profitability.
4. Invest in people for stability
   Figures from the National Restaurant Association’s (NRA) 2024 Economic Impact Study show the sector directly employs 14.17 million workers and supports 22.89 million jobs when indirect roles are counted. Turnover is common and expensive. Structured training, competitive wages, and clear advancement opportunities help businesses retain staff and maintain consistent service.
5. Explore scalable concepts
   USDA ERS data confirms that beverages represented 11.3 percent of food and beverage manufacturing sales in 2021. Beverage-focused outlets such as cafés and juice bars often need smaller footprints and lower initial investments. These models can be easier to replicate and expand once the first unit is successful.
6. Adapt to changing consumer preferences
   The NRA’s State of the Restaurant Industry Report highlights increasing demand for healthier meals, plant-based items, and sustainable sourcing. Investors who build menus around these expectations, such as including plant-forward dishes or sourcing locally, can position their business as relevant and appealing in a crowded marketplace.
7. Show your broader economic impact
   Every$1 spent in restaurants generates $2.68 in economic activity, based on NRA research. This multiplier underscores the industry’s value to local economies. Investors can strengthen funding proposals or visa applications by showing how their operations will support suppliers, logistics, and nearby businesses.
8. Prepare for shifts during economic cycles
   The NRA estimates eating and drinking places will produce $1.37 trillion in direct output in 2024 despite economic pressures. Historically, when budgets tighten, consumers move from full-service to quick-service options rather than cutting out restaurant spending altogether. Flexible menus, delivery options, and price-conscious offerings can help businesses remain steady in varied economic conditions.

*Figures are drawn from the cited third-party publications and government datasets and were current as of the publication date. While we strive for accuracy, please independently verify any numbers that are material to your decisions.

 

Sources:

  USDA ERS: https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-markets-prices/food-service-industry/market-segments/
  USDA ERS: https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-markets-prices/processing-marketing/food-and-beverage-manufacturing/
  National Restaurant Association: https://restaurant.org/research-and-media/research/industry-statistics/state-statistics/
  National Restaurant Association: https://restaurant.org/research-and-media/research/state-of-the-industry-report/
  National Restaurant Association: https://restaurant.org/getmedia/206bb262-fc48-4f00-b91b-3402ea6d97f1/usa_econ_impact_study_fs-3.pdf
  Escoffier: https://www.escoffier.edu/blog/world-food-drink/us-restaurant-foodservice-industry-statistics/
  USCIS: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/e-2-treaty-investors