Restaurant Performance Index increased 0.4% in October
The National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) posted a moderate increase in October, driven in part by an improvement in same-store sales. The RPI – a monthly composite index that tracks the health of the U.S. restaurant industry – stood at 99.8 in October, up 0.4% from September. Despite the gain, the RPI remained below 100 in contraction territory for the fourth consecutive month.
Although restaurant operators reported a net increase in same-store sales in October, they reported lower customer traffic for the 9th consecutive month. Restaurant operators have a mixed outlook for sales, but nearly half expect overall economic conditions to deteriorate during the next six months.
The Current Situation Index, which measures current trends in four industry indicators, stood at 99.6 in October – up 0.5% from a level of 99.2 in September. October represented the fourth consecutive month in contraction territory.
The Expectations Index, which measures restaurant operators’ six-month outlook for four industry indicators, stood at 100.0, up 0.3% from the previous month. Restaurant operators have a net positive six-month outlook for sales, staffing levels and capital spending, but they do not expect overall economic conditions to improve.
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 11/26/2025