The National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index rose +0.4% MoM to 99.8 in October 2025, marking a modest improvement but still signaling industry contraction for a fourth straight month.

• The Current Situation Index increased +0.5% MoM to 99.6, supported by better same-store sales even as customer traffic declined for the ninth consecutive month.

• Same-store sales strengthened, with 48% of operators reporting YoY gains (Sep: 45%), while 35% reported declines (Sep: 44%), indicating a firmer sales backdrop.

• Customer traffic remained weak, with 33% of operators citing YoY increases and 48% citing declines, reflecting continued softness in guest counts.

• The Expectations Index rose +0.3% MoM to 100.0, showing operators’ slightly improved six-month outlook for sales, staffing, and capital spending.

• Sales expectations softened: 30% expect higher sales in six months (Sep: 34%), while 24% expect declines, showing mixed sentiment.

• Economic expectations improved modestly: 22% foresee better conditions in six months (Sep: 11%), though 46% still expect worsening conditions.

• Capital spending remained solid, with 51% of operators investing over the past three months and 54% planning spending in the next six months, marking the seventh straight month above the 50% threshold.