• Nation's Restaurant News, Tuesday, June 22, 2010 9:45 AM

Morning meal traffic was up about 2% per year at restaurants during the past five years, according to NPD Group, accounting for nearly 60% of the industry's traffic growth.

"Breakfast has been and is projected to continue to be a bright spot for the restaurant industry," says Bonnie Riggs, NPD's restaurant industry analyst. Benefits include convenience and price compared to other restaurant meals, she says.

In recent months, several fast-food chains -- Subway, Wendy's and Burger King are notable -- have either added breakfast service or expanded their options, Lisa Jennings reports. One reason for this, NPD says, is that consumers who visit a chain for more than one daypart tend to be more loyal, more likely to recommend the chain to others, visit more frequently and contribute more volume.

Read the whole story at Nation's Restaurant News »