Restaurant industry outlook brightens

With the economic downturn easing, the restaurant industry is expected to show gradual improvement in 2010, according to the National Restaurant Association’s 2010 Restaurant Industry Forecast. Industry sales are projected to reach $580B this year, a 2.5% increase in current dollars over 2009 sales. When adjusted for inflation, 2010 sales will be essentially flat, which is an improvement over the 1.2% and 2.9% negative growth in real sales that the industry experienced in 2008 and 2009, respectively. Restaurant sales are expected to represent 4% of the U.S. gross domestic product.
Quick-service restaurants are projected to post sales of $164.8B in 2010, a gain of 3% over 2009. Sales at full-service restaurants are projected to reach $184.2B in 2010, an increase of 1.2% in current dollars over 2009.
According to the 2010 Restaurant Industry Forecast, consumers will continue to seek value, convenience and expanded menu options in 2010. Locally sourced food, sustainability, and health and nutrition will be the top trends on restaurant menus this year, the study says.