Restaurant.org -A majority of Americans have a favorable view of the restaurant business, according to a new Gallup poll. In fact, restaurants topped the list of business sectors and industries in this annual survey.

Gallup’s latestWork and Education poll, conducted Aug. 7-10, observed Americans’ perceptions of the restaurant industry and 23 other business sectors, plus the federal government. With a net positive response of 60, the restaurant industry outperformed the computer industry by four percentage points. The computer industry has topped the list since the restaurant industry last held that spot in 2007. Overall, this was restaurants’ most favorable year since the poll was first conducted in 2001.

“Restaurants are the cornerstones of communities across the country,” said Dawn Sweeney, president and CEO of the National Restaurant Association. “From the local sandwich shop to the city steakhouse, the restaurant industry provides job opportunity to 13.5 million Americans and has become an essential part of our everyday lives.” Continue