Restaurant Performance Index rose 0.2% in November
The National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) registered a modest increase in November, as restaurant operators became somewhat more optimistic about sales growth in the months ahead. The RPI – a monthly composite index that tracks the health of the U.S. restaurant industry – stood at 100.0 in November, up 0.2% from a level of 99.8 in October. November represented the second consecutive monthly gain and the highest level since June.
November’s RPI increase was driven by an uptick in the outlook for sales: 41% of operators expect their sales will be higher in 6 months – the highest reading since February. At the same time, sales and traffic levels remained dampened in November, which illustrates the continuation of challenging business conditions for restaurants.
The Current Situation Index, which measures current trends in four industry indicators, stood at 99.2 in November – down 0.4% from a level of 99.6 in October. November represented the fifth consecutive month in which the current situation component stood below 100 in contraction territory.
The Expectations Index, which measures restaurant operators’ six-month outlook for four industry indicators, stood at 100.8, up 0.8% from the previous month. That represented the highest reading in 10 months.
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 12/30/2025