Sandwiches were the most expensive category, averaging $6.74 in the Northeast in 2012, while Mexican food was the least expensive.

While the restaurant scene appears to be a booming one, it is not without its pitfalls,

Families with kids made 1 billion fewer visits to U.S. restaurants over the past six years.

Among consumers, 63% say they are more likely to visit a foodservice operation they view as socially conscious.

Industry sales are projected to exceed $683 billion in 2014, up 3.6% from 2013's sales volume of $659.3 billion.

About 3,000 of the annual cases of foodborne illness are fatal.

Per capita yogurt consumption has more than doubled over the decade, and now nearly one in three individuals eats yogurt.

Just 20% of consumers report eating breakfast away from home more often than they did a year ago.

Those counts did not seem to have any impact on what consumers ordered and how often they frequented the restaurant.

Technomic has identified five key trends expected to play a big role in the coming year.