However, despite all the discouraging news, the state of the industry isn’t as grim as it sounds, according to Brad Ludington, a restaurant securities analyst at KeyBanc Capital Markets.
In a research note this week, he outlined five reasons why things are looking up for restaurant operators this year:
1. Consumers are coming back to restaurants.
2. Social media marketing is working.
3. There are still opportunities for growth.
4. Restaurants can work around inflated commodity costs.
5. Consumers are still spending.
