Groupings are to some extent arbitrary, and the categories rarely have clearly demarcated boundaries. The association defines the restaurant industry as encompassing all meals and snacks prepared outside the home. As such, the restaurant industry includes all takeout meals and beverages in this definition. As such, our figures may be slightly lower than estimates that include all establishments. This group comprises the business, educational, governmental and noncommercial organizations that operate their own restaurant services.
Food is provided as an auxiliary service to complement their other activities.
Though some establishments operate at a profit, this is not the aim of the restaurant-service activity. Rather, they serve food principally for their own employees, students, patients, etc. This group comprises the sales of food and beverages at officers' and NCO clubs, military exchanges and defense restaurant service to the troops. This group has been shown separately because most suppliers treat it as a distinct entity for sales purposes.