Restaurant Performance Index Declined in September
Same-store sales and customer traffic results were mixed; Restaurant operators remain unimpressed by the economy
As a result of softer customer traffic levels and a somewhat dampened outlook among restaurant operators, the National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) registered a moderate decline in September. The RPI – a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry – stood at 101.0 in September, down 0.9 percent from its August level. Despite the decline, the RPI remained above 100 for the 19th consecutive month, which signifies expansion in the index of key industry indicators.