Restaurant Sales Nationwide Expected to Decline in 2009

The National Restaurant Association projects that industry sales across the country will decline by 1 percent in 2009, adjusting for inflation.

"Within the overall industry, eating and drinking places sales are projected to reach a record $395 billion in 2009, up 2.2 percent from 2008's sales volume of $386.5 billion, and a decline of 1.3 percent in real terms," the NRA's 2009 Restaurant Industry Forecast reads in part.

The NRA says the decline would mark the second consecutive year of real sales declines for the industry, "the first such occurrence in the nearly 40 years that the association has tracked industry sales."

The group says the tough sales environment offers restaurateurs a chance to streamline and strengthen operations. "Every business move that operators make to enhance their competitive edge will matter, whether it's cutting costs, rethinking menu pricing or implementing new marketing efforts," the report says.

Credit: CityBusiness Staff