Navigating Summer Travel: Restaurant Opportunities and Consumer Behavior Trends

Summer has traditionally been a powerful economic driver for restaurants, hospitality, and destination-based businesses. In 2026, however, operators are entering the season amid a more complex landscape amid economic uncertainties, tighter discretionary spending, and evolving travel patterns. At the same time, the U.S. economy remains resilient, and many consumers plan to travel this summer, with dining out seen as a top activity for summer travelers.  

In addition, global and national events—including the FIFA World Cup™ and America 250 celebrations—are expected to generate travel demand and consumer excitement across many U.S. markets. For restaurant operators, the key question is not just whether demand will materialize, but how to position their businesses to capture it effectively.

This webinar, presented by the National Restaurant Association and moderated by Dr. Chad Moutray, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of Research, will explore insights from the Association’s latest summer travel and tourism research while bringing together industry experts, restaurant operators, and tourism leaders. The discussion will focus on where opportunities emerge, how consumer travel behavior is evolving, and what restaurants can do to drive traffic, manage costs, and remain competitive in a more uncertain environment.

Participants will come away with a clearer understanding of where growth is likely to occur—and how to align operations, marketing, and staffing strategies to take advantage of it.

What attendees will learn:

• Key trends shaping summer travel demand and consumer behavior
• The potential impact of FIFA World Cup™ and America 250–driven travel
• Strategies to capture both visitor traffic and local demand
• How restaurants can differentiate through experience, value, and engagement
• Approaches to managing labor, pricing, and inventory in a volatile environment
• Data-driven insights to better forecast demand and allocate resources 

• Capture incremental sales during peak travel and event-driven periods
• Build flexible staffing and operating models to match demand shifts
• Develop marketing strategies that resonate with both travelers and local guests
• Strengthen customer loyalty and frequency during softer spending cycles
• Identify and act on emerging opportunities within changing travel patterns

The bottom line:

Opportunities still exist—but capturing them will require agility, insight, and smart execution. Whether you operate a single unit or a multi-location brand, this webinar will help you navigate the evolving summer travel landscape and position your business for success.