Soft sales & traffic levels lead to decline in September RPI
As a result of softer sales and traffic levels and restaurant operators’ dampened outlook for the economy, the National Restaurant Association’sRestaurant Performance Index (RPI) declined for the fourth consecutive month. The RPI – a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry – stood at 100.2 in September, down 0.3 percent from a level of 100.5 in August. Despite the recent declines, the RPI remained above 100 for the seventh consecutive month, which signifies expansion in the index of key industry indicators.
“The RPI’s September decline was due in large part to softer same-store sales and customer traffic readings, which were down from stronger levels in August,” said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the Research and Knowledge Group for the Association.