restaurant industry; dining-out industry
Refers to the business sector encompassing restaurants, food service, and eating out.
The restaurant industry is a highly competitive field.
He has been involved in the dining-out industry for many years.
外食産業 is a near-synonym also meaning the restaurant or food-service industry; 外食事業 can sound slightly more focused on the business or enterprise aspect.
Compound of 外食 (dining out) and 事業 (business, enterprise).