Research
January 14, 2026
Total restaurant industry sales
Restaurant sales rose 0.6% in November
Restaurant sales posted a moderate gain in November, bouncing back from a downtick in October.
Eating and drinking places registered total sales of $100.3 billion on a seasonally adjusted basis in November, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Census Bureau. That was up 0.6% from October’s upward-revised sales volume of $99.7 billion.
November represented the 7th sales gain in the last 9 months, with only modest dips in May (-0.2%) and October (-0.1%) interrupting the positive trend.
As a result, eating and drinking place sales stood 4.9% above their year-ago level in November.
Consumer spending was also generally positive in other sectors in November. Sales at non-restaurant retailers rose 0.6% in November, led by solid gains at sporting goods and hobby stores (+1.9%), gas stations (+1.4%), building material and supply stores (+1.3%) and auto dealers (1.0%).
Rising menu prices drove much of the nominal sales gains in recent months, but restaurants also generated positive results on an inflation-adjusted basis. After adjusting for menu price inflation, eating and drinking place sales increased 1.2% between November 2024 and November 2025.
Note: Eating and drinking places are the primary component of the U.S. restaurant and foodservice industry and represent approximately 72% of total restaurant and foodservice sales.
Eating and drinking places registered total sales of $100.3 billion on a seasonally adjusted basis in November, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Census Bureau. That was up 0.6% from October’s upward-revised sales volume of $99.7 billion.
November represented the 7th sales gain in the last 9 months, with only modest dips in May (-0.2%) and October (-0.1%) interrupting the positive trend.
As a result, eating and drinking place sales stood 4.9% above their year-ago level in November.
Consumer spending was also generally positive in other sectors in November. Sales at non-restaurant retailers rose 0.6% in November, led by solid gains at sporting goods and hobby stores (+1.9%), gas stations (+1.4%), building material and supply stores (+1.3%) and auto dealers (1.0%).
Rising menu prices drove much of the nominal sales gains in recent months, but restaurants also generated positive results on an inflation-adjusted basis. After adjusting for menu price inflation, eating and drinking place sales increased 1.2% between November 2024 and November 2025.
Note: Eating and drinking places are the primary component of the U.S. restaurant and foodservice industry and represent approximately 72% of total restaurant and foodservice sales.