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 sales volume revised lower based on benchmarked government data
October 19, 2026New data indicate a slower recovery from the pandemic than originally reported -
Research
Affordability Pressures Mount, but Consumers Continue to Prioritize Restaurants
September 17, 2026 -
Research
Higher-income households continue to drive restaurant sales
September 15, 2026The number of households with income above $100k surged by over 7 million during the last 3 years. -
Research
Restaurants remain resilient despite challenging business conditions
July 22, 2026The National Restaurant Association expects the operating environment to improve during the second half of 2026 -
Research
Elevated costs continue to pressure restaurant profitability
July 08, 2026Total restaurant expenses jumped 36% since before the pandemic -
Research
Restaurants projected to add 450k seasonal jobs this summer
June 24, 2026A decline in the restaurant industry’s prime labor pool may make hiring more challenging this summer. -
Research
New NRA Survey: Restaurants Stay a Priority as Financial Strains Challenge Spending
June 02, 2026This post summarizes the Q2 2026 Quarterly Consumer Insights Survey from the National Restaurant Association, showing both resilience and caution amid economic uncertainties. Thankfully, consumers continue to prioritize going out to eat even as they cut back in other spending categories. -
Research
GLP-1 and Restaurants: Shifting Habits, Not Shrinking Demand
May 20, 2026Restaurants remain deeply embedded in the lifestyles of GLP-1 users -
Research
International tourism is projected to rebound this year after a 2025 decline
May 19, 2026Number of international visitors will remain well below the pre-pandemic peak -
Research
New Association report provides a demographic profile of restaurant owners
April 16, 2026The accessibility of restaurant ownership across demographic groups illustrates the entrepreneurial opportunities in the industry.