NRA’s Performance Index Flat Again in August

The slightest possible gain in the National Restaurant Association’s Performance Index couldn’t mask the fact that the restaurant industry continues to struggle. The index rose only 0.1 point to 99.5. It’s the fourth consecutive month the index remained under the 100 level that signals the difference between contraction and expansion. Both capital expenditure measures were down.

Both the Current Situation Index and the Expectations Index also rose 0.1 point. In the CSI, same-store sales were flat while traffic rose 0.5 point. The labor component and the marker tracking capital expenditures during the past three months both fell 0.2 point.

In the Expectations Index, the outlook for same-store sales rose 0.3 point while the staffing outlook was up 0.2 point. The outlook for business conditions was off 0.1 point while the component tracking capital spending plans during the next six month fell 0.2 point.