Restaurant Performance Index rose 0.1% in August
The National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) was essentially unchanged in August, as restaurant operators continued to report mixed sales and customer traffic results. The RPI – a monthly composite index that tracks the health of the U.S. restaurant industry – stood at 99.8 in August, up 0.1% from a level of 99.7 in July.
The RPI remained rangebound in recent months, as higher same-store sales were offset by dampened customer traffic levels. Restaurant operators had their most optimistic sales outlook in seven months, but they remain significantly less bullish about the economy.
The Current Situation Index, which measures current trends in four industry indicators, stood at 99.8 in August – up slightly from a level of 99.7 in July. Restaurant operators reported a net increase in same-store sales in August, but the overall Current Situation Index remained below 100 in contraction territory for the second consecutive month.
The Expectations Index, which measures restaurant operators’ six-month outlook for four industry indicators, stood at 99.8 – up slightly from the previous month but still in contraction territory. Four in 10 restaurant operators expect their sales volume to be higher in six months, which represented the highest reading since February 2025.
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 9/30/2025