The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.6% in November, according to newly released data from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, marking its highest level since 2021.
The U.S. economy added 64,000 jobs during the month, which was included in the 43-day government shutdown, causing a delay in the release of the economic data. This number exceeded expectations and reversed negative trends in August and June.
Most of the jobs gained came from the health care and construction sectors. Employment showed little change in the leisure and hospitality sectors, despite gearing up for the busy holiday season.
Eating and drinking places specifically added a net 5,600 jobs in November on a seasonally-adjusted basis, according to preliminary data from the BLS. While that was well below the strong gain of 46,000 jobs in October, it represented the fifth consecutive monthly increase in restaurant jobs.
According to the National Restaurant Association, eating and drinking places have added more than 120,000 jobs throughout the past five months, compared to the first half of 2025, when the industry lost a net 4,200 jobs.
As of November 2025, eating and drinking place employment was more than 196,000 jobs (or 1.6%) above its February 2020 level.
The industry’s recent gains have been driven largely by the full-service segment, which added a net 88,400 jobs between February and October. According to the association, this more than doubled the 42,100 jobs added at snack and non-alcoholic beverage concepts, which is the next closest segment. Still, the full-service segment remains about 3% below pre-pandemic employment levels.
Meanwhile, limited-service concepts, including snack and beverage concepts, are 24.6% above February 2020 employment levels as of October. Quick-service and fast-casual restaurants are 2.7% above pre-pandemic levels.
States with the highest employment gains in the restaurant industry include Idaho (17%), Utah (15%), South Dakota (14%), and Nevada (13%).
Conversely, 17 states and the District of Columbia remain below pre-pandemic employment levels. Massachusetts and West Virginia both are about 5% below 2019 levels, followed by Maryland (-4%), Illinois (-3%), California (-3%), Vermont (-3%), and Michigan (-3%).
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