Research
September 16, 2025
Restaurant Sales Continue to Outpace Pre-Pandemic Trend
In the second quarter of 2025, spending at eating and drinking places reached a new record of $1,249.3 billion at the annual rate, up from $1,223.3 billion in the first quarter, according to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.*
As illustrated in the accompanying table, current spending levels remain well above the pre-pandemic trend observed from 2010 to 2019. Had that trend continued uninterrupted, spending in Q2 would have been approximately $1,003.1 billion. This means actual spending is now 24.5% higher than the projected trendline.
Of course, much of this gap can be attributed to elevated price levels compared to the pre-pandemic period.
In inflation-adjusted terms, real spending at eating and drinking places totaled $885.3 billion in Q2 2025 (expressed in chained 2017 dollars), also an all-time high and up from $876.4 billion in Q1. If the pre-pandemic trajectory had persisted, real spending would have been $879.5 billion—just 0.7% below the actual figure.
These data offer reassurance and highlight the continued resilience of consumer spending in the sector. Despite numerous headwinds facing both the industry and the broader economy, real spending at restaurants and foodservice establishments remains slightly above trend, a very encouraging sign.
*These data come from the Personal Consumption Expenditures by Type of Product (Table 2.4.5) and the Real Personal Consumption Expenditures by Type of Product, Chained Dollars (Table 2.4.6) tables on the BEA website, looking specifically at the Purchased Meals and Beverages component of Foodservices spending.
As illustrated in the accompanying table, current spending levels remain well above the pre-pandemic trend observed from 2010 to 2019. Had that trend continued uninterrupted, spending in Q2 would have been approximately $1,003.1 billion. This means actual spending is now 24.5% higher than the projected trendline.
Of course, much of this gap can be attributed to elevated price levels compared to the pre-pandemic period.
In inflation-adjusted terms, real spending at eating and drinking places totaled $885.3 billion in Q2 2025 (expressed in chained 2017 dollars), also an all-time high and up from $876.4 billion in Q1. If the pre-pandemic trajectory had persisted, real spending would have been $879.5 billion—just 0.7% below the actual figure.
These data offer reassurance and highlight the continued resilience of consumer spending in the sector. Despite numerous headwinds facing both the industry and the broader economy, real spending at restaurants and foodservice establishments remains slightly above trend, a very encouraging sign.
*These data come from the Personal Consumption Expenditures by Type of Product (Table 2.4.5) and the Real Personal Consumption Expenditures by Type of Product, Chained Dollars (Table 2.4.6) tables on the BEA website, looking specifically at the Purchased Meals and Beverages component of Foodservices spending.