MAFSI Barometer Tracks 12th Quarter of ‘Muted Growth’ 

Overall sales for the second quarter of 2026 grew by 2.0%, according to the Q2/26 MAFSI Business Barometer, exceeding the 1.5% growth that was forecasted in the Q1 Barometer.

By product category, sales were 5.2% furniture, 3.0% supply, 1.8% equipment and 0.6% tabletop, with the West region leading with a 4.0% increase. Only the Northeast dipped negative at -0.2%.

As compared to 880 MAFSI’s SpecPath construction projects in Q1, Q2 saw 785 projects—an 11% quarterly decline and a 12% year-over-year drop.

In his summary, Michael R. Posternak, chairman of PBAC 3.0 LLC, notes, “Main Street is being hard hit by fuel prices, vegetable contamination, overall inflation, the return of the tariff scare, the impact of GLP-1 weight loss drugs, saturation of some markets and changing food trends. Restaurants are shortening their operating hours and reducing their menu options.”

Posternak adds that developments to watch include the war with Iran, the US/Canadian tariff showdown and the mid-term elections.

To view the full Q2/26 report, click here.