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Minority Share of Population Increases by 2030

November 13, 2019

Original content c/o: National Restaurant Association

Inclusion will help drive profitability and relevance for restaurants committed to diversity.

A demographic shift is happening in the United States. By 2030, the number of Hispanic-, Asian- and African-Americans will grow to represent a larger proportion of the US population than 2020, according to data reported in the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Industry 2030: Actionable Insights for the Future report.

By the numbers

The country’s demographics are indeed changing, reflected in the number of minorities rising while the number of Caucasians are on the decrease. The US Census Bureau states that by 2030, the US Caucasian population will total 198 million, or 55.8%, and the number of Hispanics will increase to 74.8 million, or 21% of all Americans. African-Americans will account for 13.8% of the population with 49 million, and Asian-Americans will make up 24.4 million, or 6.9%, of the total US population.

Today, Association research indicates that four in 10 restaurant managers and supervisors are minorities as are six in 10 chefs. Our data show that the restaurant industry hires more minority managers than any other industry, making it home to a diverse workforce. By 2030, it’s likely that minorities will hold a larger proportion of the industry’s upper-management jobs, and women will claim a higher number of those positions, too, according to those surveyed for the Restaurant Industry 2030 report.

What to expect by 2030

The industry continues to make strides in focusing on the development and promotion of women and under-represented groups, said Gerry Fernandez, founder and president of the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance, an affiliate of the National Restaurant Association. “There is no better time than now for them to find and walk through these open doors. Companies are making stronger commitments to and investments in their employees and that is a sign of the industry’s seriousness about incorporating inclusion and diversity into the workplace.”

Why the change? Fernandez said it is the increased interest in and training of executives, franchisees, managers, and human resources professionals in cultural intelligence. That is making the difference in building successful teams and businesses.

“This industry – the industry of hospitality – is helping to bring people together while increasing its businesses’ brand value and profitability.”

Download the National Restaurant Association's 2030 report to learn about the future of the restaurant industry!