Restaurant Performance Index rose 0.1% in September
The National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) posted a modest gain in September, continuing an upward trend that has been in place for the last five months. The RPI – a monthly index that tracks the health of the U.S. restaurant industry – stood at 100.7 in September, up 0.1% from August and highest reading since February.
Restaurant operators continued to report higher same-store sales in September, despite mixed customer traffic readings. Looking ahead, four in 10 restaurant operators expect their sales to be higher in six months. That was well above the 20% of operators who expect overall economic conditions to improve during the next six months.
The Current Situation Index, which measures current trends in four industry indicators, stood at 100.7 in September – up 0.1% from a level of 100.6 in August. September represented the fourth consecutive month that the current situation component stood above 100 in expansion territory – the first such occurrence since early-2023.
The Expectations Index, which measures restaurant operators’ six-month outlook for four industry indicators, rose 0.1% to a level of 100.7. Restaurant operators continue to have a generally positive outlook for sales, yet they remain uncertain about the direction of the 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 10/30/2026