economy

Financing

Consumers say inflation is causing them to eat out less often

More than eight in 10 consumers say they are cutting back on restaurant visits as evidence of spending shifts continues to grow.

Financing

As fears of recession grow, here’s a look at who may do best, and worst

The Bottom Line: An economic downturn appears likely, which sent stocks tumbling again on Monday. We can find clues about potential winners and losers from the Great Recession.

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

The Bottom Line: The price of fuel hits a key psychological number. Will the consumer start responding?

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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