Understanding key restaurant industry indicators
Our team of economists navigates the often-conflicting signals found in U.S. and industry data, distilling this information to identify trends and provide meaningful insights for restaurant and foodservice operators, as well as the general public.
Blog
Explore the latest from the Association team.
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Research
Restaurants projected to add 450k seasonal jobs this summer
June 24, 2026A decline in the restaurant industry’s prime labor pool may make hiring more challenging this summer. -
Research
New NRA Survey: Restaurants Stay a Priority as Financial Strains Challenge Spending
June 02, 2026This post summarizes the Q2 2026 Quarterly Consumer Insights Survey from the National Restaurant Association, showing both resilience and caution amid economic uncertainties. Thankfully, consumers continue to prioritize going out to eat even as they cut back in other spending categories. -
Research
GLP-1 and Restaurants: Shifting Habits, Not Shrinking Demand
May 20, 2026Restaurants remain deeply embedded in the lifestyles of GLP-1 users -
Research
International tourism is projected to rebound this year after a 2025 decline
May 19, 2026Number of international visitors will remain well below the pre-pandemic peak -
Research
New Association report provides a demographic profile of restaurant owners
April 16, 2026The accessibility of restaurant ownership across demographic groups illustrates the entrepreneurial opportunities in the industry. -
Research
Restaurant and Lodging Business Applications Remain Highly Elevated
April 08, 2026 -
Research
Potential Workers on the Sidelines: Labor Force Participation Continues to Slide
April 07, 2026The labor force participation rate contnues to slide lower. -
Research
Slowing population growth has implications for restaurant sales
March 27, 2026States in the southeast and mountain west are leading the way in population gains. -
Research
New Association report provides a demographic profile of the restaurant workforce
March 25, 2026Restaurant employees tend to be younger and more diverse than the overall U.S. workforce. -
Research
Softer tourism spending is making business conditions more challenging for restaurants
November 14, 2025Travel and tourism typically accounts for 3 in 10 dollars spent at U.S. restaurants.