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economy

Financing

Despite closures and traffic challenges, restaurants keep adding jobs

 By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 10, 2025

The industry added 29,800 jobs in December, according to new federal data released Friday, as hiring and wage growth normalized.

Financing

As restaurants head into 2025, more economic uncertainty abounds

 By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 02, 2025

The operating environment and the economy should provide some tailwinds while the M&A market returns to normal. But tariffs and deportations could create some real headaches.

Financing

Restaurant menu price inflation continues to moderate

By Jonathan Maze on Dec. 11, 2024

Prices at restaurants and bars grew at a slower rate than they did at grocers, continuing a trend toward a more normalized rate of inflation.

Operations

More than 4 in 10 independent restaurants couldn't pay their rent in September

By Lisa Jennings on Oct. 18, 2024

Still, that's slightly better than small business rent delinquencies overall, according to a monthly survey. And, for restaurants, it's an improvement from August.

Financing

Restaurant sales accelerated last month

By Jonathan Maze on Oct. 17, 2024

Sales at restaurants and bars increased 1% in September, according to new federal retail sales data. And they’ve been outpacing other industries all year despite consumer concern about menu prices.

Financing

Inflation and earnings data show some real hope for restaurants

By Jonathan Maze on Oct. 10, 2024

Wages are rising faster than inflation, which could ultimately ease consumer pressure for lower prices. Meanwhile, grocery prices outpaced menu inflation last month.

Financing

The economy is surprisingly resilient

By Jonathan Maze on Oct. 04, 2024

The Bottom Line: Persistent job growth and other indicators show an economy that has been shockingly resilient despite a host of pressures over the past three years.

Financing

Fast-casual chains win a tough quarter

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 23, 2024

Thanks to strong performances by chains like Wingstop, Cava and Chipotle, the sector outperformed everyone else. And it wasn’t particularly close.

Financing

Gas prices are falling. So what does that mean for restaurants?

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 20, 2024

The Bottom Line: The price of gas has been falling much of the year and is below $3 per gallon in some states. Will that give operators a sales boost?

Financing

The Federal Reserve begins cutting interest rates

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 18, 2024

The agency cut its federal funds rate by a half-point on Wednesday, its first rate cut since 2020, as inflation cools and confidence grows that a recession can be avoided.

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