China's restaurant sales could swell to two trillion yuan (250 billion U.S. dollars) by 2010, according to the China Cuisine Association.

A report recently released by the association said the restaurant sector -- which will notch up retail sales of one trillion yuan this year -- is a key motor in driving consumption and employment.

The report said the restaurant sector, with its army of migrant workers, has notched up sizzling growth. There are now 4 million restaurants nationwide covering almost every possible niche of the market and management systems are being modernized.

"The sector is now endeavoring to build national brands", the report said.

Official figures show retail sales of the accommodation and restaurant sectors rose 16.2 percent to 845.8 billion yuan in the first ten months of 2006.

Source: Xinhua