That 1.8% growth is a modest improvement over the 1.3% real gain posted in 2002, a challenging year economically.
The year will benefit from an improving economy, as well as continuing growth in disposable personal income. On a typical 2003 day, the National Restaurant Association notes, the industry as a whole will post average sales approaching $1.2 billion. Despite the economy's upswing, the industry's gain will be short of growth rates posted between 1992 and 2000.