Understanding key restaurant industry indicators
Our team of economists navigates the often-conflicting signals found in U.S. and industry data, distilling this information to identify trends and provide meaningful insights for restaurant and foodservice operators, as well as the general public.
Blog
Explore the latest from the Association team.
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Research
Restaurant labor costs are well above historical averages
August 27, 2025Elevated labor costs continue to pressure the bottom line. -
Research
Increasingly on the Sidelines: Labor Force Participation Continues to Slide
August 21, 2025Labor force participation has continued to pull back, and this post analyzes some of the current trends. -
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New Association report helps operators gauge their restaurant performance
August 20, 2025Restaurant operators can detect potential problems, better manage costs, and become more efficient. -
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Time Use in 2024: Eating and Drinking Trends
July 24, 2025The American Time Use Survey data shows that people spent 74.4 minutes per day on average eating and drinking in 2024, up roughly 4 minutes than one decade earlier. -
Research
Restaurants projected to add 490k seasonal jobs this summer
May 21, 2025An uptick in the restaurant industry’s prime labor pool will likely support hiring for the summer season. -
Research
New Association Website Spotlights Restaurant Jobs and Career Paths
May 19, 2025 -
Research
Elevated costs continue to pressure restaurant profitability
May 15, 2025Total restaurant input costs soared 30% since before the pandemic. -
Research
New Association report provides a demographic profile of restaurant owners
May 05, 2025The accessibility of restaurant ownership across demographic groups illustrates the entrepreneurial opportunities in the industry. -
Research
For Restaurants and Other Businesses, Demographics Will Remain a Challenge
April 23, 2025Demographic trends will continue to present a challenge for restaurants, with the birth rate near record lows. -
Research
A Weaker Dollar Adds Pressure for Restaurants
April 22, 2025Since peaking on January 13, the U.S. dollar has declined 5.3% against a broad, trade-weighted index of global currencies, according to the Federal Reserve.For restaurants, this adds a second layer of cost pressure: not only are tariffs raising prices on imports, but the weaker dollar makes those goods—such as food, beverages, equipment, and supplies—even more expensive.