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economy

Consumer Trends

The forecast looks sunny for a strong summer dining-out season

 By Patricia Cobe on Jun. 09, 2022

Data from Amex Trendex shows that consumers are eager to visit restaurants in the next few months.

Financing

Restaurants continued adding jobs in May

 By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 03, 2022

The industry added another 46,100 jobs last month, according to new federal data, but remain 700,000 short of pre-pandemic levels.

Financing

Inflation taking its toll on some consumers, but not others

By Jonathan Maze on May 26, 2022

The Bottom Line: On Thursday, Macy’s said its consumers were fine, while Burlington said its consumers were not, showing that inflation is first taking its toll on lower-income customers.

Financing

A recession is looking a lot more likely

By Jonathan Maze on May 19, 2022

A growing number of analysts and executives expect the economy to slow down or contract as the U.S. Federal Reserve raises rates. Here’s what it means for restaurants.

Marketing

Full-service restaurants are moving value to the center of the plate

By Patricia Cobe on May 12, 2022

Operators take a cue from QSRs, promoting early evening specials, breakfast and dinner bargains, and other inflation-fighting deals.

Financing

Menu price inflation at full-service restaurants hit a record in April

By Jonathan Maze on May 11, 2022

Prices at table-service locations increased 8.7% year over year last month, and food-away-from-home inflation rose 7.2%. But grocery prices increased even more.

Financing

Stocks enter bear territory and restaurants go right with it

By Jonathan Maze on May 09, 2022

Shares of restaurant companies have lost nearly a quarter of their value so far this year amid higher interest rates and recession fears. Winners remain few.

Financing

Restaurants continued to add jobs in April

By Jonathan Maze on May 06, 2022

The industry added 43,800 workers last month, continuing its gradual recovery from post-pandemic job losses. But the rate of growth is slowing.

Financing

At McDonald’s, low-income customers show signs of weakness

By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 29, 2022

The Bottom Line: Tucked in the company’s earnings are signs that some consumers are cutting back. The burger giant’s executives believe they need to have some value to keep them coming.

Financing

High gas prices may be keeping customers from making longer trips to visit restaurants

By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 27, 2022

The Bottom Line: A Placer.ai analysis found customers are less willing to drive long distances to visit Sonic or The Cheesecake Factory, suggesting a quiet impact of inflation on dining habits.

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