The latest statistics published in a special report from Chain Store Guide’s “Chain Restaurant Operators Industry Summary for 2010” point to slow but steady improvement in year over year foodservice sales says this restaurant management expert. Whereas 2009 showed a significant drop over 2008 – 0.5% real growth versus 3.5% – the first half of 2010 is already rising at 2.5% over last year. Most of the restaurants sales growth are in Quick Service Restaurants such as McDonald’s, Pizza Chains such as Pizza Hut, and the Casual segment such as Chili’s Grill & Bar. The three top states for restaurant sales in 2010 are still expected to be in California, Texas and New York. However, the most sales growth is projected to be in Colorado, Idaho and New Jersey this year at 2.9%, 2.8% and 2.7% respectively. American food continues to be the most common menu offered by restaurants in the report. This popular choice is followed by hamburgers, pizza and italian food. On the employment front, the good news is that jobs in the restaurant and foodservice industry are expecting to grow 1,323,000 over the next ten years. However, the majority of this increase will be in the hourly category, which is comprised predominately of minimum wage employees. The highest growth amidst this employment increase is among fast food and counter workers at 14.9% – or approx. 408,000 jobs – between 2010 and 2020. For a complete copy of the report, please visit the Chain Store Guide web site. You can also contact this restaurant management expert (see below) for additional resources to help you with your restaurant business plan and operation.
