R.I. restaurants expected to boost employment 15.7% this summer

THE NATIONAL RESTAURANT Association projects that Rhode Island restaurants will see employment increase 15.7 percent this summer, the fifth-highest expected percent increase in the country. / COURTESY COOK & BROWN PUBLIC HOUSE
THE NATIONAL RESTAURANT Association projects that Rhode Island restaurants will see employment increase 15.7 percent this summer, the fifth-highest expected percent increase in the country. / COURTESY COOK & BROWN PUBLIC HOUSE

WASHINGTON – Rhode Island restaurants will see a 15.7 percent increase in employment during the 2014 summer season, according to a report released Thursday by the National Restaurant Association.

The estimated increases are based on March 2014 employment levels.

The group projected that restaurants nationwide will add 508,000 jobs during June, July and August, making 2014 the second consecutive year in which restaurants are expected to add at least 500,000 summer jobs.

“Summer is the busiest season for restaurants in most parts of the country, and the uptick in business creates additional job opportunities at all levels of a restaurant operation,” said Bruce Grindy, chief economist for the National Restaurant Association. “In many states with tourism-driven economies, restaurants are prime destinations for both tourists and job-seekers.”

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Rhode Island’s expected 15.7 percent increase represented the fifth-highest percent increase projected among the 50 U.S. states. Maine boasted the highest expected percent increase, at 33.2 percent, with Alaska (21 percent), Delaware (18 percent) and New Hampshire (16.5 percent) rounding out the top five.

The restaurant industry is usually the nation’s second-largest creator of summer jobs, ranking only behind the construction industry, the National Restaurant Association said.

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