A tale of two states.

As the cornerstone of the national economy, the restaurant industry is also the cornerstone of many state economies. For example, each dollar spent in California's eating-and-drinking places results in an additional $1.31 of sales in related state industries, such as agriculture, construction, manufacturing, transportation and wholesale trade.

California's economy generates 37 jobs for every $1 million in sales at state eating-and-drinking places. In addition to restaurant-industry positions, these new jobs include employment in the agriculture, construction, manufacturing, transportation and wholesale-trade sectors.

In 2000, California's eating-and-drinking places employed 926,200 individuals--or 6.4 percent of the state's total employment base--and was indirectly responsible for the employment of 509,200 people in related industries.

Overall, California's eating-and-drinking places had a total employment impact of more than 1.4 million people--or 9.9 percent of the state's total job base.

The economic impact is similar in Wisconsin.

Each dollar spent at Wisconsin's eating-and-drinking places generates an additional $1.24 of sales for other industries within the state.

For every $1 million that consumers spend at Wisconsin's eating-and-drinking places, the state economy creates--both directly and indirectly--48.6 jobs.

In 2000, Wisconsin's eating-and-drinking places employed 172,000 individuals--or 6.1 percent of the state's total job base--and was indirectly responsible for the employment of 111,200 people in related industries. Overall, Wisconsin's eating-and-drinking places had a total employment impact of more than 283,200 people--or 10 percent of the state's total employment base.