Restaurant Performance Index remained in contraction territory in September
The National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) registered a moderate decline in September, reflecting the continuation of challenging business conditions for the restaurant industry. The RPI – a monthly composite index that tracks the health of the U.S. restaurant industry – stood at 99.4 in September, down 0.4% from August and the lowest reading since March.
September’s decline in the RPI was largely due to dampened current situation indicators. Although restaurant operators posted a modest net increase in same-store sales in September, they reported negative customer traffic for the 8th consecutive month. Restaurant operators’ outlook for business conditions remains mixed, with just 34% expecting higher sales in six months.
The Current Situation Index, which measures current trends in four industry indicators, stood at 99.2 in September – down 0.7% from a level of 99.8 in August. September represented the third straight month in contraction territory and the lowest reading since March.
The Expectations Index, which measures restaurant operators’ six-month outlook for four industry indicators, stood at 99.7, which represented the third consecutive month below 100. Restaurant operators are cautiously optimistic about sales in the months ahead, but remain generally pessimistic about the direction of the economy.
RPI Methodology
The National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) is a monthly composite index that tracks the health of the U.S. restaurant industry. Launched in 2002, the RPI is released on the last business day of each month.
The RPI is measured in relation to a neutral level of 100. Index values above 100 indicate that key industry indicators are in a period of expansion, while index values below 100 represent a period of contraction for key industry indicators. The Index consists of two components — the Current Situation Index, which measures current trends in four industry indicators (same-store sales, traffic, labor and capital expenditures), and the Expectations Index, which measures restaurant operators’ six-month outlook for four industry indicators (same-store sales, employees, capital expenditures and business conditions).
The RPI is based on the responses to the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Industry Tracking Survey, which is fielded monthly among restaurant operators nationwide on a variety of indicators including sales, traffic, labor and capital expenditures. Restaurant operators interested in participating in the tracking survey: contact Bruce Grindy.
Updated 10/31/2025