Analysis and Commentary

The longest economic expansion on record will continue in 2020, albeit at a somewhat slower pace, according to Association projections.

Seattle and Washington, DC lead the major metropolitan areas in restaurant spending per capita.

Household expenditures at restaurants rose faster than most other spending categories during the last 5 years, led by consumers in the West.

Labor force growth will be dominated by older adults during the next decade, which will have implications for the restaurant workforce.

One-half of baby boomers want to use takeout and delivery more often.

Six in 10 millennials give the economy negative marks.

The number of households with income above $100,000 jumped 29 percent during the last seven years.

Competition for employees in the restaurant industry remains intense, despite recent decline in job openings.

Consumers are expected to remain in a relatively good financial position, which is positive for restaurants.  

Rising gas prices haven’t crowded out restaurant spending thus far in 2019. 

The restaurant industry added more than 10,000 locations for the third consecutive year. 

Although restaurants will add more than a half-million jobs for the seventh consecutive summer, hiring will be somewhat curtailed in 2019.

Teen restaurant employment is at its highest level since 2007, but long-term projections suggest a downward trend. 

Older adults were the fastest-growing cohort of restaurant employees in recent years.

Millennials are particularly downbeat about their personal economies.  

Four in 10 adults say they are not eating at restaurants as often as they would like.

Nearly half of restaurant job openings in 2018 were filled by either first-time workers or promotions.

The restaurant industry continues to add middle-class jobs at a much stronger rate than the overall economy.

The turnover rate in the restaurants-and-accommodations sector rose to a post-recession high of 74.9 percent in 2018.