industry news

The National Restaurant Association’s 2026 Summer Tourism & Dining Report highlights strong opportunities for restaurants as summer travelers prioritize dining out, seeking both value and unique local experiences. Digital channels are playing a growing role in restaurant discovery, while word-of-mouth remains the most powerful driver of new customer visits, creating opportunities to capitalize on peak travel demand and major events such as the World Cup. Meanwhile, the Restaurant Performance Index rose 0.2% to 100.1 in May, returning to expansion territory for the first time in three months, though customer traffic remained soft and current business conditions continue to be challenging for many operators. Operators are cautiously optimistic about the months ahead, with expectations improving alongside broader economic sentiment….

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…

Consumers present a mixed outlook: roughly two-thirds report feeling financially stable and restaurant engagement remains solid, even as broader sentiment softens. Financial pressures are mounting among younger and lower-income households, many of whom report spending beyond their means. In response, consumers are becoming more value-conscious, paring back add-ons and trading down to lower-cost options. This dynamic underscores a continued “K-shaped” environment, with higher-income and employed households driving much of the sector’s resilience…

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…