restaurant industry; catering industry; food service business
Refers broadly to the business of preparing and serving food and drink, including restaurants, catering, and food service operations.
He has worked in the restaurant industry for many years.
The food service business is easily affected by the economy.
飲食業 refers to the food-and-drink industry as a whole, while 飲食店 refers to an individual establishment within that industry.
Compound of 飲食 (eating and drinking) and 業 (business, industry).