• January 4, 2012

50% of U.S. restaurant operators reported a same-store sales gain in November 2011 versus November 2010, and just 28% reported a decline, representing the strongest net positive sales performance since August 2007, according to the latest data from the National Restaurant Association.

In addition, 41% of operators reported higher customer traffic levels in November versus same month 2010, while 32% reported traffic declines. In comparison, in October, 37% reported higher customer traffic, while 39% reported traffic declines. 

The NPD Group's latest CREST data show U.S. restaurant traffic down 0.6% in Q3 2011, but average check amount up by 1.8% (to $6.23), which translates to a gain of 1.3% in total Q3 U.S. restaurant spending. --Karlene Lukovitz