Food and Beverage
 
Restaurant Traffic: Results Mixed
 
Steady growth has eluded quick-service and casual-dining restaurants lately, a pattern that’s repeated itself in recent months. Traffic essentially was flat and fell 0.1% (the third consecutive drop), according to a MillerPulse survey. Although the two-year trend indicates 4.9% growth, and same-store sales increased 3.3%, the industry may find it tough going compared to 2014, when low gas prices drove restaurant traffic. However, a sharp drop in food inflation over the next six months should boost profits. Overall, casual dining sales have improved for 12 straight months ...