Restaurant Performance Index Fell Sharply in April

As a result of softer readings in both the current situation and forward-looking indicators, the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) fell sharply in April. The RPI – a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry – stood at 100.1 in April, down 1.8 percent from a level of 101.9 in March.

April’s RPI decline was the result of broad-based softening in both the current situation and expectations indicators. Although same-store sales readings were slightly positive in April, customer traffic turned negative. In addition, restaurant operators are less optimistic about both sales growth and the overall economy...

Restaurant Performance Index Posted a Solid Gain in March

Buoyed by stronger same-store sales and customer traffic levels, the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) registered a healthy gain in March. The RPI – a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry – stood at 101.9 in March, up 0.9 percent from February’s level of 101.0.

Growth in the RPI was driven by the same-store sales and customer traffic indicators, which both registered solid improvements in March. Looking forward, roughly one-half of restaurant operators expect to see stronger sales volumes in six months. However, their outlook for...

Technomic's Take: Five Ways Legal Marijuana Impacts Restaurants

Recreational marijuana is legal in 10 states, with as many as 12 more expected to approve in the next 18 months. Pressure from changing social norms, product marketers and the mind-boggling tax revenue potential is likely to prompt the federal government to change marijuana’s classification by 2023 at the latest, opening the door for a cannabis boom.

Current recreational use regulations largely prohibit marijuana and cannabis consumption in public spaces, including away-from-home establishments, particularly those where ...

Restaurant Performance Index Edged Lower in February

As a result of softer readings in the current situation indicators, the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) registered a modest decline in February. The RPI – a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry – stood at 101.0 in February, down slightly from a level of
101.2 in January.

While restaurant operators continued to report positive same-store sales in February, customer traffic turned negative for the first time in five months. Although 50 percent of operators expect their sales to be higher in six months ...

Restaurant Performance Index Declined in January

Due in large part to softer same-store sales and customer traffic levels, the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) declined in January.
The RPI – a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry – stood at 101.2 in January, down 0.4 percent from a level of 101.6 in December.

Although a majority of restaurant operators reported higher same-store sales in January, the readings were somewhat softer than the stronger results in November and December. Looking forward, nearly one-half of operators expect ...

Restaurant Performance Index Remained Relatively Steady in December

With restaurant operators continuing to report positive sales and traffic levels, the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) was essentially unchanged in December. The RPI – a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry – stood at 101.6 in December, down slightly from a level of 101.8 in November. The RPI continued to be supported by positive readings in the same-store sales and customer traffic indicators, which both came in similar to their November levels. Looking ahead, although restaurant operators are generally optimistic about sales growth in the months ahead, their outlook for the overall economy remains uncertain. The RPI is constructed so that the health of the restaurant industry is measured in relation to a neutral level of 100. Index values above 100 indicate that key industry indicators are ...

Restaurant Performance Index Posted a Moderate Increase in November

Driven by stronger same-store sales and customer traffic levels, the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) registered a moderate increase in November The RPI – a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry – stood at 101.8 in November, up 0.5 percent from a level of 101.2 in October.

Growth in the RPI was buoyed by the same-store sales and customer traffic indicators, which both improved for the second consecutive month. Looking forward, restaurant operators are generally optimistic about sales growth in the coming months, while their plans for capital expenditures also ... 

250 Retail and Restaurant Companies Urge Congress to Fix Tax Reform Error Delaying Investment

The National Retail Federation and more than 250 retail, restaurant and other companies from across the country are urging Congress to fix a mistake in last year’s tax reform law as part of end-of-year legislation, saying the error has put millions of dollars in job-creating remodeling projects on hold.

“The delay in correcting this provision has caused economic hardship for numerous businesses, including retailers, restaurants, real estate and construction industries, as well as the manufacturers that supply products to the building trade,” the businesses said in a letter to members of the House and Senate. “The delay in investments has had ripple effects across the economy that impact the communities in which these ...

Restaurant Performance Index Dipped Amid Softer Sales in September

Due in large part to softer same-store sales and customer traffic levels, the National Restaurant Association’s
Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) declined in September. The RPI – a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry – stood at 101.1 in September, down 0.9 percent from a level of 102.0 in August.

The RPI’s September decline was primarily the result of a pullback in the current situation indicators, as both same-store sales and customer traffic eased off their positive August levels. Looking forward...

Taco Bueno Adjusts Market Presence to Pursue Growth Opportunities

Following an in-depth review of the brand's entire restaurant portfolio,Taco Bueno® announced today it will be making a number of strategic closures in order to position the brand for future growth. Effective Monday, September 10th, the popular quick service Tex-Mex restaurant chain will permanently close 16 locations across Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. Impacted managers and employees were offered the opportunity to transfer to other restaurants within the Taco Bueno system where available.

"We continually review our restaurant portfolio performance. These closures were a strategic decision based solely on business demands and changing traffic patterns. It is our plan to reinvest in new locations and to remodel others to better serve our guests," said Omar Janjua, the new Chief Executive Officer for the brand. Janjua was brought on board in mid-2018 to ...