Gas prices prompting restaurant business slowdown?

[Robin Garr]

Interesting report, based on nationwide stats focused on 13 restaurant "brands" (chains). How about locally? I've been hearing very good things about restaurant traffic bouncing back with an apparently improved economy. Are folks beginning to see a drop - particularly in, say, suburbanites coming in to urban destinations, because of $4-a-gallon gas? I recall this happening during the gas-price spike in 2008, and some blamed gas prices, at least in part, for the closing of places like Primo.

Report: Restaurant sales and traffic drop in March
Nation's Restaurant News
April 19, 2012 | By Charlie Duerr

Continued concern over high gas prices contributed to a disappointing March for restaurants as both same-store sales and guest traffic were negative, according to the most recent Restaurant Industry Snapshot from Black Box Intelligence.

The monthly report is garnered from the tracking of 73 distinct restaurant brands and more than 12,000 units that are clients of Black Box Intelligence, a financial and market data sister company to People Report, the Dallas-based workforce data, analytics and consulting firm.

Read more: http://nrn.com/article/report-restauran ... 99&YM_RID=`email`&YM_MID=`mmid`#ixzz1sahCRjg6

I had the best March since I opened in 2004. I have also had a pretty good April so far, so, no, the gas prices have not affected me at all.

As far as I can tell, I don't think that it has slowed down business out in the Hurstbourne area where I live, based upon driving by and looking at the full parking lots of the "chain gang" out there. Every place seems as busy as they always have been. Louisvillians like to eat out!

However, I' certain I can safely assume that check averages are probably dropping off a little. People tend to lean toward ordering water and splitting entrees when money gets a little tight.

No effect out here in Charlestown, busiest first quarter since we opened in 2007