NAICS 722515 Quarterly Industry Report
Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 722515Sector: Accommodation and Food Services (72)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars (NAICS 722515) draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[6], Bureau of Labor Statistics[8], and SBA size standards database[7]. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, food service analysts, and business brokers with current market data. The editorial analysis reflects the independent assessment of FairMarketValue.com's research team, with all quantitative claims sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the snack and nonalcoholic beverage bars industry.
NAICS Sector
72
Accommodation and Food Services
Industry Definition & Overview
Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars (NAICS 722515) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in preparing and serving specialty snacks and nonalcoholic beverages including ice cream, frozen yogurt, cookies, donuts, bagels, coffee, juices, smoothies, and similar items for consumption on or near the premises per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. These operations may also serve a limited selection of prepared food items.
The Census Bureau[6] reports 62,728 establishments employing 731,023 workers, with total annual payroll of $14.9 billion. Coffee shops led by Starbucks, Dunkin', and independent specialty roasters represent the largest segment. Juice and smoothie bars, ice cream parlors, donut shops, and frozen yogurt stores round out the category. Franchise models dominate the branded segment, with independent operators competing through specialty products and local market positioning.
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], the size standard is $22.5 million in average annual receipts. Beverage-focused operations typically achieve higher gross margins of 65 to 80 percent on coffee and specialty drinks compared to food-service businesses. Net profit margins of 6 to 9 percent are typical for well-managed operations. Health department food safety compliance applies to all food preparation, while allergen disclosure has become an increasingly important compliance area given the prevalence of nut, dairy, and gluten ingredients across snack and beverage menus.
What's Included in This Industry
- Coffee shop and espresso bar beverage preparation and service
- Juice bar and smoothie preparation operations
- Ice cream parlor and frozen dessert service
- Donut shop and bakery snack retail operations
- Frozen yogurt self-service and topping bar management
- Bagel shop and breakfast snack preparation and service
- Cookie, pretzel, and specialty snack retail operations
- Beverage equipment maintenance including espresso machines and blenders
- Mobile ordering and loyalty program system management
- Franchise compliance and brand standards administration
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Accommodation and Food Services | 72 |
| Subsector | Food Services and Drinking Places | 722 |
| Industry Group | Restaurants and Other Eating Places | 7225 |
| NAICS Industry | Restaurants and Other Eating Places | 72251 |
| National Industry | Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars | 722515 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 722513 | Limited-Service Restaurants | Limited-Service Restaurants share counter-service operations and compete for quick-meal customer spending, with many fast-food chains adding coffee and snack menu sections that overlap with beverage bar offerings |
| 722511 | Full-Service Restaurants | Full-Service Restaurants offer broader food menus with table service, while snack bars focus on lighter fare and beverages with faster customer throughput and smaller average check sizes |
| 722514 | Cafeterias, Grill Buffets, and Buffets | Cafeterias and Buffets offer self-service dining at larger scale, with dessert and beverage stations that overlap with the product categories served by standalone snack and beverage bars |
| 722330 | Mobile Food Services | Mobile Food Services include ice cream trucks and coffee carts that serve similar products from mobile platforms, competing with fixed-location snack bars through location flexibility |
| 445110 | Supermarkets and Other Grocery Retailers (except Convenience Retailers) | Supermarkets and Grocery Stores increasingly offer in-store coffee bars, juice stations, and bakery counters that compete directly with standalone snack and beverage bar operations |
| 311811 | Retail Bakeries | Retail Bakeries produce fresh-baked donuts, cookies, and pastries sold directly to consumers, competing with the bakery snack items offered by coffee shops and specialty snack bars |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 16.0% | 12,600 |
| 2 | Texas | 8.6% | 6,800 |
| 3 | New York | 8.6% | 6,741 |
| 4 | Florida | 5.4% | 4,262 |
| 5 | Washington | 3.8% | 2,956 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 3.6% | 2,804 |
| 7 | New Jersey | 3.4% | 2,683 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | 3.2% | 2,495 |
| 9 | Illinois | 3.0% | 2,398 |
| 10 | Ohio | 2.8% | 2,187 |
% Of Establishments
0%
16%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
9,888
Total SBA Loans
$4.1B
Total Loan Volume
$418K
Average Loan Size
11 yrs
Average Loan Term
9.98%
Average Interest Rate
123,064
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars (NAICS 722515) has a size standard of $22.5 million in average annual receipts for federal contracting purposes. SBA 7(a) loans[9] support shop buildout, equipment purchases, and franchise acquisition for qualifying operators in this growing beverage and snack segment. Additionally, 504/CDC loans[10] provide long-term, fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets such as real estate and equipment.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Huntington National Bank | 1,808 | $439.4M | $243K |
| 2 | Bank Five Nine | 144 | $174.6M | $1.2M |
| 3 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 448 | $161.9M | $361K |
| 4 | First Bank of the Lake | 224 | $145.3M | $649K |
| 5 | Cadence Bank | 152 | $140.1M | $921K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses are classified under NAICS 722515?
NAICS 722515 covers establishments preparing and serving specialty snacks and nonalcoholic beverages per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. This includes coffee shops, juice bars, smoothie shops, ice cream parlors, donut shops, frozen yogurt stores, and similar snack-focused operations. Establishments primarily serving alcoholic beverages are classified under NAICS 722410.
How large is the snack and beverage bar industry?
The Census Bureau[6] reports 62,728 establishments employing 731,023 workers, with total annual payroll of $14.9 billion. Starbucks, Dunkin', and independent specialty coffee roasters lead the coffee segment. Ice cream parlors, juice bars, and donut shops represent additional major subcategories within this diverse industry classification.
What profit margins do snack and beverage bars achieve?
Beverage-focused operations achieve gross margins of 65 to 80 percent on coffee and specialty drinks, which are higher than food-service businesses per industry benchmarking data. Net profit margins of 6 to 9 percent are typical for well-managed operations. Coffee and espresso programs carry the highest per-unit margins, while food items generally operate at lower margins. High customer volume at peak morning hours is critical for achieving profitability.
What is the SBA size standard for snack and beverage bars?
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], the size standard is $22.5 million in average annual receipts calculated over the preceding five fiscal years. SBA 7(a) loans support shop buildout, espresso equipment purchases, and franchise acquisition costs for qualifying operators entering or expanding in this segment.
What franchise opportunities exist in the snack and beverage segment?
Major franchise brands including Dunkin', Baskin-Robbins, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, and Jamba operate extensive franchise networks per franchise disclosure documents. Initial investment ranges vary widely, from $100,000 for small kiosk formats to $500,000 or more for full-size drive-through locations. Franchise royalties of 5 to 6 percent of gross revenue and advertising fund contributions of 2 to 5 percent affect operating margins compared to independent operations.
How do coffee shops compete with grocery store and at-home options?
Specialty coffee shops compete on beverage quality, customization, and the in-store experience per BLS industry data[8]. Espresso-based drinks and specialty preparations that are difficult to replicate at home command premium pricing. Loyalty programs and mobile ordering apps improve customer retention and average visit frequency. In-store atmosphere and workspace appeal attract remote workers and students who spend extended time and make multiple purchases.
What allergen and food safety considerations apply?
Allergen disclosure has become increasingly important given the prevalence of nut milks, dairy products, and gluten-containing items across snack and beverage menus per FDA labeling guidance[11]. Cross-contamination prevention requires dedicated equipment and preparation areas for allergen-free items. Staff training on allergen awareness and customer communication is a regulatory requirement in many jurisdictions. Health department food safety inspections cover both beverage preparation and food handling practices.
How are snack and beverage bars valued for acquisition?
Franchise locations typically trade at 3 to 5 times EBITDA depending on brand strength, unit economics, and lease terms per industry transaction data. Independent coffee shops and juice bars generally trade at 1.5 to 3 times SDE. Location quality and lease term length are critical factors because relocation disrupts established customer patterns. Equipment condition, particularly espresso machines and refrigeration systems, affects the capital expenditure needed post-acquisition.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [7]SBA Table of Size Standards sba.gov
- [8]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [9]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [10]504/CDC loans sba.gov
- [11]FDA labeling guidance fda.gov
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