Winter Bump in Restaurant Traffic Does Not Indicate Recovery

Dear Client: Restaurant industry traffic only rose 1% in the spring quarter of 2012 (March, April, May), leading analysts to believe the winter quarter's (December, January, February) traffic gains were a result of a mild winter and not the beginning of a recovery, according to market research firm The NPD Group. Due to a consumer confidence dip, relatively high unemployment and foodservice traffic stalling, NPD has adjusted its traffic forecast to be flat for the next two years. The firm