MRM Research Roundup: Mid-June 2019 Edition

This edition of Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine's Research Roundup features a sharp fall for  the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index, how Pride Month impacts the hospitality industry,  the state of specialty food and the best wine restaurants in the United States.

Restaurant Performance Index FallsAs a result of softer readings in both the current situation and forward-looking indicators, the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) fell sharply in April. The RPI – a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry – stood at 100.1 in April, down 1.8 percent from a level of 101.9 in March. 

April’s RPI decline was the result of broad-based softening in both the current situation and expectations indicators. Although same-store sales readings were slightly positive in April, customer traffic turned negative. In addition, restaurant operators are less…