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Barbecue Restaurants in the US Industry Data and 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.
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What's included in this industry analysis
IBISWorld's research coverage on the Barbecue Restaurants industry in the United States includes market sizing, forecasting, data and analysis from 2015-2030. The most recent publication was released April 2025.
About this industry
What's this industry report about?
The Barbecue Restaurants industry in the United States operates under the NAICS industry code OD6236. 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. Related terms covered in the Barbecue Restaurants industry in the United States include full-service restaurant, take-out and franchises.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in Barbecue Restaurants industry in the United States include On-site food, Take-out and delivery and Catering and other services.
What companies are included in this industry?
The Barbecue Restaurants industry in the United States is highly fragmented with no companies holding a market share greater than 5%.
Performance
What's included in the Performance chapter?
The Performance chapter covers detailed analysis, datasets, detailed current performance, sources of volatility and an outlook with forecasts for the Barbecue Restaurants industry in the United States.
Questions answered in this chapter include what's driving current industry performance, what influences industry volatility, how do successful businesses overcome volatility, what's driving the industry outlook. This analysis is supported with data and statistics on industry revenues, costs, profits, businesses and employees.
Products & Markets
What's included in the Products and Markets chapter?
The Products and Markets chapter covers detailed products and service segmentation and analysis of major markets for the for the Barbecue Restaurants industry in the United States.
Questions answered in this chapter include how are the industry's products and services performing, what are innovations in industry products and services, what products or services do successful businesses offer and what's influencing demand from the industry's markets. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by product and service segmentation and major markets.
Geographic Breakdown
What's included in the Geographic Breakdown chapter?
The Geographic Breakdown chapter covers detailed analysis and datasets on regional performance of the Barbecue Restaurants industry in the United States.
Questions answered in this chapter include where are industry businesses located and how do businesses use location to their advantage. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by location.
Competitive Forces
What's included in the Competitive Forces chapter?
The Competitive Forces chapter covers the concentration, barriers to entry and supplier and buyer profiles in the Barbecue Restaurants industry in the United States. This includes data and statistics on industry market share concentration, barriers to entry, substitute products and buyer & supplier power.
Questions answered in this chapter include what impacts the industry's market share concentration, how do successful businesses handle concentration, what challenges do potential industry entrants face, how can potential entrants overcome barriers to entry, what are substitutes for industry services, how do successful businesses compete with substitutes and what power do buyers and suppliers have over the industry and how do successful businesses manage buyer & supplier power.
Companies
What's included in the Companies chapter?
The Companies chapter covers Key Takeaways, Market Share and Companies in the Barbecue Restaurants industry in the United States. This includes data and analysis on companies operating in the industry that hold a market share greater than 5%.
Questions answered in this chapter include what companies have a meaningful market share and how each company is performing.
External Environment
What's included in the External Environment chapter?
The External Environment chapter covers Key Takeaways, External Drivers, Regulation & Policy and Assistance in the Barbecue Restaurants industry in the United States. This includes data and statistics on factors impacting industry revenue such as economic indicators, regulation, policy and assistance programs.
Questions answered in this chapter include what demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the industry, what regulations impact the industry, what assistance is available to this industry.
Financial Benchmarks
What's included in the Financial Benchmarks chapter?
The Financial Benchmarks chapter covers Key Takeaways, Cost Structure, Financial Ratios, Valuation Multiples and Key Ratios in the Barbecue Restaurants industry in the United States. This includes financial data and statistics on industry performance including key cost inputs, profitability, key financial ratios and enterprise value multiples.
Questions answered in this chapter include what trends impact industry costs and how financial ratios have changed overtime.
Industry Data
What's included in the Industry Data chapter?
The Industry Data chapter includes 10 years of historical data with 5 years of forecast data covering statistics like revenue, industry value add, establishments, enterprises, employment and wages in the Barbecue Restaurants industry in the United States.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the market size of the Barbecue Restaurants industry in the United States in 2026?
The market size of the Barbecue Restaurants industry in the United States is $4.9bn in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Barbecue Restaurants industry in the United States in 2025?
There are 15,450 businesses in the Barbecue Restaurants industry in the United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.9 % between 2020 and 2025.
Has the Barbecue Restaurants industry in the United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Barbecue Restaurants industry in the United States has been growing at a CAGR of 1.5 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Barbecue Restaurants industry in the United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Barbecue Restaurants industry in the United States is expected to grow.
What does the Barbecue Restaurants industry in the United States include?
Preparing food on-site for sale and Selling food and beverages are part of the Barbecue Restaurants industry in the United States.
How competitive is the Barbecue Restaurants industry in the United States?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Barbecue Restaurants industry in the United States.
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