Letter to Journalist Jeff Yeager, "The Ultimate Cheapskate," Regarding Detrimental Advice

April 9, 2009

Dear Mr. Yeager,

During your recent appearance on NBC's "Today," you advised viewers to stop dining out at restaurants in order to save money – one of several major life changes suggested to limit expenses during this challenging economy. On behalf of the restaurant industry, we find your advice to be troubling and would like to take this opportunity to share some information about America's restaurants and how this advice could have serious unintended consequences in local communities.

Even in today’s struggling economy, restaurants are major providers of jobs and careers, employing 13 million individuals in 945,000 restaurant-and-foodservice outlets nationwide. Restaurants not only provide opportunities for first time employment, but also are important employers for those who have recently lost their jobs. In addition, restaurants have a tremendous impact on the nation’s economy. Every dollar spent in restaurants generates an additional two dollars in sales for other industries in the economy, according to the U.S. Commerce Department.

Using the figures provided in the "Today" segment, if the approximately 5.5 million viewers of "Today" did not patronize restaurants, the economic impact would be detrimental. In just one year, 465,000 jobs would be lost and would result in not only a significant decline in restaurant industry sales, but also a $28.2 billion loss for other industries.

Many restaurants are offering specials and promotions that make dining out even more affordable than ever before. In an age when time is money, dining out delivers superior value. A family can enjoy a delicious meal around the dinner table without the time and hassle of going to the grocery store, shopping for food, cooking the meal and cleaning up the dishes.

During this difficult economic period, we urge you to reconsider your advice and not encourage action that could cost jobs and hurt many of the very recession-pinched Americans that you seek to help.

Sincerely,

Dawn Sweeney
President and CEO
National Restaurant Association