Research & Insights

The National Restaurant Association’s Director of Nutrition & Healthy Living Joy Dubost, Ph.D., R.D., provides regular commentary on the NRA News blog. Her latest tips focus on the importance of a healthful breakfast.

Breakfast is important to everyone's overall health and performance. It is a morning refueling stop that your body needs to replenish its glucose, also called blood sugar, the main energy source for the brain.

Research has found that breakfast consumption:

In his latest commentary, the National Restaurant Association's chief economist Bruce Grindy breaks down the January jobs report.  The economy added nearly a quarter-million jobs in January, and the jobless rate fell to a three-year low.  In addition, the restaurant industry continued its steady growth, adding more than 300,000 jobs in the last 12 months. 

The national economy got off to a solid start in 2012, according to the latest employment report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  The economy added 243,000 jobs in January, the third consecutive monthly acceleration and strongest gain since April 2011. 

The private sector continued to drive growth with an increase of 257,000 jobs in January, the 23rd consecutive gain and strongest performance in nine months.  In contrast, the public sector remained a modest drag on the economy, shedding 14,000 jobs in January.

Despite sluggish recovery by the nation’s economy, the restaurant industry is projected to expand in 2012, according to the National Restaurant Association’s 2012 Restaurant Industry Forecast released today.

Total restaurant industry sales are expected to reach a record high of $632 billion in 2012 – a 3.5 percent increase over 2011. In addition, overall restaurant industry employment will reach 12.9 million in 2012, representing 10 percent of the total U.S. workforce.

“As our nation slowly recovers from the economic downturn, restaurants continue to be a vital part of American lifestyles and our nation’s economy,” said Dawn Sweeney, president and CEO of the National Restaurant Association.

Technology is finding its place at the restaurant table, according to the National Restaurant Association's 2012 Restaurant Industry Forecast, released today. Although high-tech items such as wireless payment and iPad menus aren’t commonplace just yet, there is strong consumer interest in such options.

Nearly 4 in 10 consumers say they’d be likely to use an electronic ordering system and menus on tablet computers at tableservice restaurants. About half said they would use at-table electronic payment options and a restaurant’s smartphone app to view menus and make reservations. 

At quickservice restaurants, about 4 out of 10 consumers say they would place online orders for takeout, use in-store self-service ordering kiosks, and use smartphone apps to look at menus and order delivery.

Watch the National Restaurant Association's Senior Vice President of the Research and Knowledge Group Hudson Riehle summarize the 2012 Restaurant Industry Forecast. The annual Forecast provides details on economic, workforce and consumer trends expected in the year ahead.

Also, read our blog posts on top economic and consumer trends in 2012.

In her latest blog post, the National Restaurant Association’s Director of Nutrition & Healthy Living Joy Dubost, Ph.D., R.D., helps you come up with a nutrition game plan for watching the professional football championship game this Sunday.

Whether cheering for New England or New York this Sunday, the nutrition game-plan is the same - to balance the enjoyment of the food with a healthier approach while watching the two teams battle it out on the field. Many of us plan to watch the event at home, at a friend or family member's house, or at a restaurant or bar. No matter where we are, food and beverages are likely to be part of the event and it's a good idea to plan ahead so you can better manage your choices.

Recent research by the National Restaurant Association shows that salsa, dips and spreads top the list of must-have food items on game day, followed by chicken wings, and pizza. Somewhat surprisingly, healthful options and salads were also cited as must-haves by more than 4 out of 10 people who plan to watch the big game. This is very encouraging to me as a dietitian, and reminds us that food can and should be both delicious and nutritious even at special occasions.

Fueled by solid same-store sales and traffic results and a bullish outlook among restaurant operators, the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) rose sharply in December. 

The RPI stood at 102.2 in December, up 1.6 percent from November and its highest level in nearly six years.  In addition, December represented the third time in the last four months that the RPI stood above 100, which signifies expansion in the index of key industry indicators.

“Aided by favorable weather conditions in many parts of the country, a solid majority of restaurant operators reported higher same-store sales and customer traffic levels in December,” said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the Research and Knowledge Group for the Association.  “In addition, restaurant operators are solidly optimistic about sales growth in the months ahead, and their outlook for the economy is at its strongest point in nearly a year.”

Watch our latest industry update video, where the National Restaurant Association's SVP of the Research & Knowledge Group Hudson Riehle summarizes the December Restaurant Performance Index.

For previous industry update videos, visit our Research & Insights section.

The National Restaurant Association estimates that 48 million Americans will order takeout or delivery food from a restaurant while watching the professional football championship game on Super Bowl Sunday, February 5. In addition, 12 million are expected to visit a restaurant or bar to watch the big game.

New National Restaurant Association research also shows that salsa/dips/spreads, chicken wings and pizza are considered must-have foods on game day.

“Sporting events and great food go hand in hand, so it is no surprise that millions of Americans will incorporate restaurants into their plans for watching the professional football championship game this year,” said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the Research and Knowledge Group for the National Restaurant Association.

In her latest Ask the Nutritionist commentary, the National Restaurant Association’s Director of Nutrition & Healthy Living Joy Dubost, Ph.D., R.D., offers up helpful tips to maintain New Year's resolutions.

Many of us set goals for ourselves around each new year, but it’s all too easy to lose sight of those goals as we resume our busy lives after the holidays. Some of the most common New Year’s resolutions focus on weight loss or becoming more physically active. Making small changes in your diet or exercise routine can eventually add up to big success. It’s important to initially focus on the behavior change, which will eventually lead to positive results. Remember, health and wellness is a life-long commitment, not just for a year or even month. 

Below are a few strategies to keep in mind to make your life healthier for 2012: