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economy

Financing

Restaurants deal with yet another round of uncertainty

 By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 10, 2022

The Bottom Line: With the omicron surge subsiding and local regulations easing, consumers were feeling increasingly comfortable dining out. The Ukraine invasion changed all that.

Financing

Menu price inflation hit a 41-year high in February

 By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 10, 2022

Limited-service menu prices rose 8% while full-service prices increased 7.5%, but overall inflation was just as bad.

Financing

Fast food restaurants are taking a lot of price, and executives are OK with that

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 25, 2022

The Bottom Line: Operators are raising prices at levels not seen in decades. They say consumers are paying them. But that may only last so long.

Financing

Russian invasion of Ukraine leads to fears of more inflation

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 24, 2022

Oil and corn prices soared, leading to inflationary concerns. But stocks had a roller-coaster day. And operators don’t fear more supply disruptions, at least yet.

Financing

More evidence of a faltering restaurant recovery

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 17, 2022

Industry sales declined for the third time in four months in January, according to new federal data. And the slowdown appeared to accelerate.

Financing

Restaurant menu price inflation highest in 40 years

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 10, 2022

Both limited-service and full-service restaurants raised prices at least 7% over the past year as their own costs rose. But grocery prices are soaring, too.

Financing

Restaurant sales were flat in August, even as coronavirus surged

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 16, 2021

Industry sales growth slowed but did not decline last month, as consumers still flexed their spending muscle.

Financing

Restaurants cut jobs last month as the coronavirus surges again

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 03, 2021

The industry lost 41,500 jobs in August, ending a long period of growth, as the delta variant strikes around the country.

Financing

Consumer confidence sinks, but industry sales remain stable

By Jonathan Maze on Aug. 31, 2021

The index hit its lowest level since February as the delta variant spreads. Other data show reluctance to visit restaurants. But Black Box data remains strong.

Financing

How long will the restaurant sales boom last?

By Jonathan Maze on Aug. 18, 2021

This week’s episode of the RB podcast “A Deeper Dive” features Michael Swanson, Wells Fargo economist, talking about the state of the industry.

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