Here’s your Hot Topic Sizzle: The Nation’s Restaurant News, (NRN) reports, “August was the best month for the restaurant industry in terms of sales growth since February 2012, and the industry is poised to achieve two consecutive quarters of positive growth for the first time since the second half of 2012″….
I believe they’re talking about casual dining and fast food. Not a good thing.
In July, another report came out claiming a healthier economy is driving the increase:
“Larry Miller, founder and chief executive of the monthly MillerPulse report, said the sales gains were most likely the result of McDonald’s shedding market share, but the healthier U.S. economy also helped”.
But I don’t really think that’s the case. I think we have a beautiful example of people creating press for themselves.
WHY CHEF?
Well, every summer people travel, right? And do 90% go to The Four Seasons? No… they go camping, or take cross country trips. And when you’re on the road? What do you do?
WHAT CHEF?
Well, most people go fast food to fast food restaurant to go to the bathroom, to eat, and to do all of this quickly so they can get to their destination. And what’s right off the freeway? You bet. Fast food restaurants and gas.
I remember going cross country several times with the family, in the car. By the second time? I was researching great restaurants, and insisting we map our way cross country great restaurant to great restaurant! lol
I know. I’m not the average joe (or jane).
So let’s see what happens with the industry this month and next. It is my contention that sales will either go back to normal or drop.
People often ask me why I don’t have my own restaurant. Well, it’s a tough industry. Haven’t you seen so many places go in and then out? And most people invest their life savings. So that’s heartbreaking…
I am personally seeing people in my life eat out less. I know of two in particular, that I have started cooking for. In my testimonials you can meet them. These are two successful busy business people that have substituted my dinners for the fast on the go one’s they had been eating, and both say they’re loosing weight!
I think that’s the wave of the future. Either following recipes and creating your own meals (to be sure you know what’s in them), or hiring a personal chef like me, to give you great food and great flavor. Clean and green at least at dinner time. I’m not saying people won’t enjoy good food out. I don’t see True Food in the Fashion Valley Mall closing any time soon (because the food is healthy and fabulous).
But it does look like the trend is healthier here in California, that people want to customize and eat healthier and the chains will suffer for it. My friend says some fast food restaurants have great salads. Do we know that they’re great? Some of the ingredients are good, others not. And I sure hope they don’t do the ‘chemical thing’ to make things last longer…..
I don’t think people are settling for Mickey D’s as much as they have in the past. It’s more of a choice of last resort.
What do you think?
Happy Eating,
Chef Marian