Hospitality Insight

According to the National Restaurant Association, the U.S. restaurant industry should expect a gradual recovery this year, as consumers ease recession-era spending cuts. Adjusted for inflation, the report calls for sales to be essentially flat in 2010, up from a 2.9% drop last year. “The past two years have been a very challenging time for our industry,” said NRA President and CEO Dawn Sweeney. “While there are still substantial challenges ahead, we are encouraged that the outlook is improving.”

Restaurants will continue to be strong contributors to the recovery of the nation’s economy, with industry sales representing 4 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product and employees comprising 9 percent of the U.S. workforce.

Cornell students have access to restaurant performance data from the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Industry Operations Report, available in the library.

The National Restaurant Association Show concluded recently in Chicago. The 2009 show drew attendees and exhibitors from across the globe. Despite the troubled economic times, more than 54,000 industry professionals attended, and the International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event experienced a 13% increase in attendance over last year.

Many of the educational sessions and speakers focused on what restaurant operators can do as the economy works toward recovery, and the show floor offered an abundance of new products and old favorites that illustrate upcoming culinary and restaurant trends. Attendees got to experience global fare at the International Cuisine Pavilion, the hottest trends in restaurant innovation at the Technology Pavilion, and a host of trendy food and beverage items at the Organic and Natural Pavilion.

For more highlights from the 2009 NRA Show, visit these sites:

Fastcasual.com: Five hot new products on the show floor.

Blue Kitchen blog: Top show trends.

Floored!: official blog of the 2009 NRA Show.