Restaurants appeared in the XIII century during the Song Dynasty in Hangzhou, cultural, political and economic
center of China. Perhaps restaurants have arisen from teahouses and taverns, which tried to cater to travelers.
Only in the XVIII century the restaurants appeared, which main purpose was to prepare and serve meals that were ordered
by visitors. According to the Guinness Book of Records, the oldest of today's restaurants is the Sobrino de Botin in
Madrid (Spain). It opened in 1725.
| In the United States there are | 215,000 full-service restaurants |
| | and 250,000 fast food restaurants. |
