The restaurant sector is expected to provide start-up jobs for young persons in the labour market in Sweden. This study use data from the Swedish population and tax register, and follows the routes of employees in the sector from 2003 until 2008. The conclusion is that work experience in the restaurant sector can be considered an important stepping stone into other parts of the labour market. However, it is more common among individuals with foreign born parents to remain in the sector or become unemployed, whereas individuals with Swedish born parents are more likely to go on to other sectors.