industry news

The U.S. economy continues to demonstrate resilient but uneven growth, with solid job gains and rising wages supporting consumer spending, even as the labor market cools and confidence weakens amid elevated gasoline prices and ongoing financial strain. For restaurants, this translates to a cautiously optimistic outlook. Demand is buoyed by higher-income consumers and strong asset values, but rising costs, softer sentiment, and persistent inflation pose meaningful risks to traffic and margins. As the summer season approaches, travel and tourism will be a critical factor. International arrivals are projected to reach 70.5 million in 2026—an increase of more than 2 million from 2025.

According to a recent consumer survey conducted by the National Restaurant Association, roughly one in eight adults are currently taking some form of GLP-1 medication, and that is expected to rise significantly in the months and years ahead. However, the survey results point to a more nuanced reality. Consumers taking GLP-1 medications are more engaged with restaurants than those who are not.

With the U.S. Treasury ending penny production in 2025, some businesses may begin rounding cash transactions to the nearest nickel due to limited penny circulation…

The National Restaurant Association conducts research that identifies current and future restaurant industry trends, covering everything from menu trends to technology changes.

Welcome to OpenTable’s most comprehensive look at the state of the industry and the dining trends…

A new McKinsey & Company analysis shows how changing budgets, tastes, and dining habits are reshaping the US restaurant industry…