NPD: Fast-casual, breakfast fuel rise in Q2 traffic

Customer traffic at U.S. restaurants in Q2 was up 1% over the year-earlier level thanks in large part to increases in QSR breakfast and fast-casual traffic.

The latest data from The NPD Group/CREST counts 15.7 billion customer visits for the April-May-June quarter, returning the U.S. foodservice business to its 2009 level. In addition to the traffic increase, consumer restaurant spending rose by 3%, driven by a higher check average.

Quick-service restaurants (78% of total industry customer traffic) saw a 1% increase for the second quarter. That included a 3% increase in morning-meal traffic and an 8% jump in customer traffic at fast-casual restaurants (included in the QSR total). QSR traffic at lunch and dinner was flat; PM Snack customer counts were 1% higher than a year ago.

Traffic at midscale restaurants (10%) was steady at 2% below year-earlier traffic for the fourth consecutive month. Casual dining (10%) was flat after at least eight consecutive quarters of negative comparisons. Fine dining (1% of total traffic) was 6% ahead of last year’s Q2.