Research
September 16, 2026
Total restaurant industry sales
Restaurant sales maintained their positive trajectory in August
Consumers continued to flex their spending muscles in August, shrugging off an uptick in pump prices to boost spending across several retail categories. Restaurants were among the beneficiaries, as they remained top-of-mind in the spending decisions of many consumers.
Eating and drinking places registered total sales of $105.1 billion on a seasonally adjusted basis in August, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Census Bureau. That was up a healthy 1.2% from July’s upward-revised sales volume of $103.8 billion.
August represented the fifth consecutive month of restaurant sales growth – with each monthly increase clocking in at 0.5% or more. The last time restaurants experienced a five-month period with sales gains of that magnitude was 2022, when the industry was still recovering from the pandemic.
The recent acceleration in restaurant sales growth came despite dampened consumer sentiment, a choppy labor market and persistently elevated gas prices. Higher-income households continue to be the catalyst for consumer spending, a trend that was supported by the fact that these households surged to record numbers in recent years.
While the positive momentum is expected to continue in the months ahead, the outlook is not without risks. Among the new challenges is the likelihood of higher interest rates, as the Federal Reserve is expected to tighten monetary policy to keep inflation in check. That has the potential to dampen consumer spending as financing becomes more expensive.
August also represented the fifth consecutive monthly gain in inflation-adjusted terms, as nominal restaurant sales growth outpaced the increase in menu prices. That was a departure from the trend of the last couple years, when restaurant sales growth was largely driven by rising menu prices.
As a result, real eating and drinking place sales increased 2.4% between August 2025 and August 2026. That represented the strongest 12-month gain in more than a year.
In addition to restaurants, consumer spending growth was broad-based across most retail categories in August. Gasoline stations led the way with a strong 3.1% increase, which was largely the result of higher pump prices.
Non-store retailers (+1.9%) and electronics and appliance stores (+1.6%) experienced strong sales growth in August. Sales at sporting goods and hobby stores were up 1.2% in August, matching the gain at eating and drinking places and the overall retail sector.
Among all of the major retail sectors, only building material and garden supply stores (-0.2%) saw a sales decline in August.
Note: Eating and drinking places are the primary component of the U.S. restaurant and foodservice industry and represent approximately 72% of total restaurant and foodservice sales.
Eating and drinking places registered total sales of $105.1 billion on a seasonally adjusted basis in August, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Census Bureau. That was up a healthy 1.2% from July’s upward-revised sales volume of $103.8 billion.
August represented the fifth consecutive month of restaurant sales growth – with each monthly increase clocking in at 0.5% or more. The last time restaurants experienced a five-month period with sales gains of that magnitude was 2022, when the industry was still recovering from the pandemic.
The recent acceleration in restaurant sales growth came despite dampened consumer sentiment, a choppy labor market and persistently elevated gas prices. Higher-income households continue to be the catalyst for consumer spending, a trend that was supported by the fact that these households surged to record numbers in recent years.
While the positive momentum is expected to continue in the months ahead, the outlook is not without risks. Among the new challenges is the likelihood of higher interest rates, as the Federal Reserve is expected to tighten monetary policy to keep inflation in check. That has the potential to dampen consumer spending as financing becomes more expensive.
August also represented the fifth consecutive monthly gain in inflation-adjusted terms, as nominal restaurant sales growth outpaced the increase in menu prices. That was a departure from the trend of the last couple years, when restaurant sales growth was largely driven by rising menu prices.
As a result, real eating and drinking place sales increased 2.4% between August 2025 and August 2026. That represented the strongest 12-month gain in more than a year.
In addition to restaurants, consumer spending growth was broad-based across most retail categories in August. Gasoline stations led the way with a strong 3.1% increase, which was largely the result of higher pump prices.
Non-store retailers (+1.9%) and electronics and appliance stores (+1.6%) experienced strong sales growth in August. Sales at sporting goods and hobby stores were up 1.2% in August, matching the gain at eating and drinking places and the overall retail sector.
Among all of the major retail sectors, only building material and garden supply stores (-0.2%) saw a sales decline in August.
Note: Eating and drinking places are the primary component of the U.S. restaurant and foodservice industry and represent approximately 72% of total restaurant and foodservice sales.