Restaurant Performance Index edged down 0.1% in June
The National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) held relatively steady in June, as restaurant operators continued to report mixed sales and traffic results. The RPI – a monthly composite index that tracks the health of the U.S. restaurant industry – stood at 100.0 in June, down slightly from a level of 100.1 in May.
Restaurant operators reported somewhat softer same-store sales in June, after a majority registered higher sales in May. Looking ahead, restaurant operators are cautiously optimistic about sales gains in the coming months. However, their outlook for the overall economy continues to lean negative.
The Current Situation Index, which measures current trends in four industry indicators, stood at 100.0 in June – down 0.4% from a level of 100.4 in May. Although restaurant operators reported a net increase in same-store sales in June, customer traffic remained dampened compared to year-ago readings.
The Expectations Index, which measures restaurant operators’ six-month outlook for four industry indicators, stood at 100.1 – up 0.2% from the previous month. Restaurant operators are slightly more optimistic that their sales will improve in the months ahead, but they remain uncertain about the direction of the overall 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 7/30/2025