A Big Mac meal at McDonald’s. Photo: Shutterstock
Restaurants have had a steep climb back from the pandemic. After a post-Covid rebound, growth of same-store sales slowed across the industry in 2023, with high costs and changed eating habits keeping many customers home. Fast food—the most prevalent dining option across the US—has seen profit margins improve compared with those at sit-down, non-chain eateries, despite its price increases outpacing those of table service. For creative restaurateurs, the landscape isn’t exactly appetizing.
What’s on the Menu
Most common restaurant type by county
Source: US restaurant data by county compiled by Steve Pickering, 2024
Employees of US Food and Drinking Places
Seasonally adjusted
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics
Change in US Consumer Price Index
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics
Change in the Price of a Big Mac
2019 to 2023
Source: Economist Big Mac Index compiled by Bloomberg
US Same-Store Sales
Month-over-month
Source: Black Box Intelligence compiled by Bloomberg