Fast Food and Big Box See Gains

Dear Client:Despite economic hardships in 2008, traffic in U.S. restaurants grew slightly - 0.2% to $61.5 billion - in the year ended November. It is the weakest showing since the recession of 2002-2003, according to market research company NPD. The group’s chief food industry analyst, Harry Balzer, said strong promotional activity at restaurant chains and growth in breakfast and lunch visits to quick-service restaurants contributed to the slight gains last year. Fast-food restaurants saw more traffic than full-service restaurants although