Restaurant Operators Remain Optimistic About Growth Despite Challenging Energy Environment (2/2)

Although operators have a relatively positive sales outlook, they remain less than optimistic about the direction of the overall economy. Thirty percent of restaurant operators expect economic conditions to worsen in six months, while just 26 percent of operators expect economic conditions to be stronger in six months. Forty-four percent of operators expect economic conditions in six months to be about the same as they are now.

A positive development this month was an improved outlook for capital expenditure activity in the restaurant industry. Fifty-eight percent of restaurant operators plan to make a capital expenditure for equipment, expansion or remodeling in the next six months, up from 51 percent who reported similarly last month.

Source: National Restaurant Association