NPD Spring 2009 Restaurant Count Shows Units Down by 4,000

There are 4,000 fewer restaurants in the United States this spring than there were last spring, according to The NPD Group, a leading market research company. NPD’s Spring 2009ReCount^®, which is a census of commercial restaurant locations in the United States compiled in the spring and fall each year, shows restaurant industry units down -1 percent, or about 4,000 units, compared to no growth in spring 2008.

According to NPD’s Spring 2009 ReCount, collected from April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009, major chains (500+ units), were up +1 percent. Midsize chains (100-499 units) and all other system sizes including independents declined. In terms of restaurant styles, the family dining segment continues to contract across all system types while the largest quick service restaurant (QSR) segment showed no unit growth overall versus last spring. The fine dining segment saw the sharpest decline in units.

2009 versus 2009 Restaurant Unit Counts Percent Change from Year Ago
		Total Restaurants		QSR		Family Dining		Casual Dining		Fine Dining
TOTAL RESTAURANTS		-1		0		-2		0		-4
MAJOR CHAINS (500+ Units)		1		1		0		2		na
MIDSIZE CHAINS (100-499 Units)		-1		-1		-5		2		6
MINOR CHAINS (50-99 Units)		-2		-1		-6		-2		6
SMALLEST CHAINS (3-49 Units)		-1		-1		-2		0		1
INDEPENDENTS		-2		-2		-2		-1		-7
Source: The NPD Group/ReCount®

“It’s clear that independent restaurants and smaller chains have been most impacted by the slower economy,” said Susan Kleutsch, director, product development-foodservice at NPD. “The recession appears to have weeded out restaurants performing poorly prior to the economic downturn, and this seems most true for independents and smaller chains that are likely having a hard time competing with the resources and marketing power of major chains.”