guestXM – by Black Box Intelligence

Out of the Box Insights

Overall Traffic Declining, Sales Propped Up by Average Check Value but Unit Ratings and Reviews Critical to Success

Restaurant performance based on same-store sales and traffic growth softened during May compared to the previous month. But of the two, it was traffic growth that experienced the biggest deceleration in its year-over-year performance.

Read More

April’s Sales Gains Driven by Check Growth, but Value-Centric Restaurants Lead in Traffic Growth

Although the US has managed to avoid a recession so far, and employment numbers remain robust, consumers are still insecure about the economy. If brands have no choice but to raise prices, their focus should shift to delivering other parts of the value equation.

Read More

With Sales & Traffic Relatively Soft, Value May Be the Key to Success for Restaurants

With March 2024 seeing modest sales growth and declining traffic, the key to restaurant success lies in understanding consumer behaviors amidst inflation, emphasizing the importance of value offerings and customer experience for sustained growth.

Read More

February 2024 Restaurant Insights: Declining Sales and Cleanliness Imperatives

Discover the latest insights into the restaurant industry's February 2024 performance, revealing a concerning decline in sales alongside the critical importance of maintaining cleanliness for positive customer ratings.

Read More

Navigating Industry Performance Amidst Weather and Economic Challenges

January offered little clarity in terms of the current health of the restaurant industry from a year-over-year growth perspective.

Read More

Promising Start to 2024: The Restaurant Industry Ended 2023 on a High Note

December saw a 2.3% YoY increase in restaurant sales, amid weather-related nuances, while the industry anticipates leveraging a stabilized labor market for growth in 2024.

Read More

Accelerated Sales & Traffic Growth Bring Optimism to Restaurants

In November, the restaurant industry saw accelerated same-store sales and traffic growth, marking the strongest traffic performance in almost two years.

Read More

Q4 Restaurant Sales & Traffic Trends Reveal Positive Trajectory

Unlock key insights into October's restaurant sales and traffic trends, revealing a positive trajectory for the industry, while delving into the implications of California's minimum wage hike and examining Q3's top performers based on net sentiment.

Read More

Restaurant Sales and Traffic Growth Continue to Decline

Restaurant sales experienced a notable decline in September 2023, with a dip in same-store sales growth and traffic. As inflation continues to shape the industry, focusing on hospitality becomes a key strategy to enhance the dining experience.

Read More

Slowdown in Restaurant Sales & Traffic Growth Becomes Reality

Starting with June, every ensuing month has experienced softer year-over-year (YoY) same-store sales and traffic growth than the one preceding it.

Read More

July’s Mixed Outlook: Optimism and Caution for the Year Ahead

Restaurant sales and traffic growth slowed down during July but remained stronger than the growth rates posted by the industry back in April and May.

Read More

June Saw Upswing in Restaurant Sales and Traffic

June was a relatively good month for restaurants. Same-store sales and traffic growth reached their highest levels since March, with each of the last two months posting stronger year-over-year (YoY) results than the previous month.

Read More