Understanding Foodservice Operations

A business with the primary goal of preparing and selling food to make money.

• Catering

• Commercial

• Contract Foodservice

• Noncommercial

A foodservice operation characterized by speed, convenience, and reasonable prices with a limited menu.

• Catering

• Contract Foodservice

• Noncommercial

• Quick-service restaurant

The provision of food in locations where it is not normally served.

• Catering

• Commercial

• Fine-dining restaurant

• Quick-service restaurant

A food service operation characterized by elegantly prepared food, served by highly trained waitstaff.

• Catering

• Contract foodservice

• Fine-dining restaurant

• Commercial

A foodservice setting that is more likely to offer jobs with better hours and benefits than jobs in restaurants.

• Noncommercial

• Quick-service restaurant

• Catering

• Contract foodservice

Foodservice outlet in an airport terminal

• Commercial

• Noncommercial

Quick-service restaurant

• Commercial

• Noncommercial

Country club banquet facilities

• Commercial

• Noncommercial

Hospital cafeteria

• Commercial

• Noncommercial

Corporation dining room

• Commercial

• Noncommercial