Reference Guide • Updated May 2026
California Restaurant Workers Comp Class Codes
On September 1, 2024, the WCIRB eliminated class code 9079(1) and replaced it with six new restaurant classifications. Everything restaurant owners, bookkeepers, and CPAs need to know.
What changed on September 1, 2024
The WCIRB eliminated code 9079(1) — Restaurants or Taverns — the single catch-all California restaurants used for decades. Six new specialized classifications now let rates reflect the actual risk profile of each segment.
- 9080
- Full-service restaurants
- 9080(A)
- Fine dining (avg entrée $25+)
- 9081(1)
- Restaurants NOC
- 9081(2)
- Food trucks
- 9082
- Caterers
- 9083
- Fast food / fast casual
- 9084
- Bars or taverns
- 9058
- Hotel food/beverage employees
Why this matters for your premium
Initially, all six new classifications carry the same advisory pure premium rate as the old 9079(1). But as the WCIRB collects loss data segmented by restaurant type, rates will diverge. A fine-dining restaurant with low injury frequency and a fast-food chain with high turnover and slip-and-fall claims will eventually pay very different rates.
This means getting your classification right today sets your baseline for years to come. Misclassification — for example, a fast-casual concept incorrectly written under 9080 — can mean either overpayment now or back-premium audits later.
Reference
Full Class Code Table
All current WCIRB classifications for California food service operations. Click a code to copy it.
Source: WCIRB California Classification Search. Updated for the September 1, 2024 food service industry restructure.
Picking Your Code
Which code applies to your restaurant?
Full Service
Customers seated and served at the table. Most independent restaurants, casual dining, steakhouses, brunch spots.
Fine Dining
Full-service restaurants with an average dinner entrée of $25 or higher. Proprietary code — not every carrier offers it, but it can mean meaningfully better rates.
Fast Food / Fast Casual
Counter-order service, drive-throughs, fast-casual chains (Chipotle-style). Customers order before being seated or order and leave.
Bars or Taverns
Establishments that primarily serve alcoholic beverages. Food is incidental.
Food Trucks
Mobile food service operations. Different equipment, vehicle exposure, and smaller crews than brick-and-mortar restaurants.
Caterers
Off-site food preparation and event service. Mobility and event-day staffing differ from fixed-location restaurants.
Coffee, Juice, Smoothie Shops
Beverage preparation shops. Sandwich shops use 8078(1); ice cream and frozen yogurt use 8078(3).
Common Questions
FAQ
What is the workers compensation class code for restaurants in California?
As of September 1, 2024, California restaurants no longer use code 9079(1). Full-service restaurants now use code 9080, fast food and fast casual use 9083, bars and taverns use 9084, and food trucks use 9081(2). The WCIRB introduced these specialized codes to better reflect the risk and payroll characteristics of each restaurant segment.
What is the difference between class code 9080 and 9083?
Class code 9080 (Restaurants - Full Service) applies to restaurants with table service where customers are seated and served. Class code 9083 (Restaurants - Fast Food/Fast Casual) applies to quick-service operations like counter-order restaurants, drive-throughs, and fast casual chains. The distinction matters because rates and payroll exposure differ between the two business models.
What happened to class code 9079?
Effective September 1, 2024, the WCIRB eliminated code 9079(1) — Restaurants or Taverns — All Employees. It was replaced by six new specialized classifications (9080, 9080(A), 9081, 9082, 9083, 9084) plus code 9058 for hotel food service operations. Code 9079(2) for Concessionaires remains active.
What class code applies to a coffee shop or juice bar?
Coffee shops, juice bars, and smoothie shops generally fall under WCIRB code 8078(2) — Beverage Preparation Shops. Sandwich shops use 8078(1), and ice cream or frozen yogurt shops use 8078(3). These codes have been part of the WCIRB Food & Beverage Industry Group since 2024.
What is class code 9080(A)?
Class code 9080(A) is a proprietary classification offered by some carriers for upscale full-service restaurants with an average dinner entrée of $25 or higher. It can sometimes provide more favorable rates for fine dining establishments. Availability varies by carrier.
Do these California restaurant class codes apply in other states?
No. These are WCIRB (Workers Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau) classifications specific to California. Other states use NCCI codes — typically 9101 (Restaurant NOC), 9102 (Fast Food), or 9180 (Taverns or Night Clubs). If you operate in multiple states, you will likely have different class codes on each state portion of your policy.
How is my restaurant payroll classified across multiple codes?
Most restaurants use a single governing class code that covers all operational employees (cooks, servers, dishwashers, hosts). Clerical office staff working in a separate office area may be split out under code 8810. Outside salespersons use 8742. Talk to your broker to make sure your payroll is correctly allocated — misclassification is one of the most common causes of overpaying for workers comp.
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