Restaurant Industry Sales Looking Up in 2011

After three down years for restaurants, things are finally turning around, predicts the National Restaurant Association.

February 03, 2011

WASHINGTON - After a three-year period of negative sales growth, restaurant industry sales are expected to reach $604 billion in sales and postpositive growth, the National Restaurant Association reported earlier this week.

The Association's 2011 Restaurant Industry Forecast estimates an industry sales increase of 3.6 percent over 2010 sales, or 1.1 percent in inflation-adjusted terms. Combined, the total economic impact of the industry exceeds $1.7 trillion, the nation's second-largest private sector employer with 12.8 million employees.

"As the national economy is slowly improving, the restaurant industry is climbing out of its most challenging period in decades to post positive real sales growth in 2011," said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the Research and Knowledge Group for the National Restaurant Association. "As in 2010, restaurant industry job growth is expected to outpace the national economy this year, emphasizing the importance of industry to the nation??s economy ?? While pockets of challenges remain, we are looking forward to a brighter future in 2011."

For individual restaurant segments, NRA predicts the following:

  • QSRs will post sales of $167.7 billion this year, a 3.3 percent jump over 2010.
  • Full service restaurants will reach $194.6 billion in sales, a 3.1 increase over 2010.
  • Hotel and restaurants will post a 5.7 percent sales increase over 2010.

Among states, North Carolina is expected to realize the strongest sales growth at 4.2 percent, followed by Idaho and Virginia, both at 4.0 percent.

Among menu trends this year, local sourcing, sustainability, and nutrition will top the charts, with healthy options in kids' meals, gluten-free items, and smoothies among top QSR trends.

For more details about the Forecast, visit restaurant.org/forecast.

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