Restaurant sales predicted to increase in 2005

Experts predict 2005 will bring strong growth to the restaurant industry.  According to the National Restaurant Association’s 2005 Restaurant Industry Forecast, sales should increase by about 4.9 percent to hit $476 billion.

The report predicts the Mountain region will have the highest growth rate with 6.5 percent. Other report highlights include:

• Sales at full-service restaurants are expected to increase by 5 percent.
• Sales at quick-service restaurants are expected to increase by 4.7 percent.
• The U.S. restaurant industry will add about 1.8 million new jobs during the next 10 years.

The anticipated increase in restaurant sales should translate into improved dairy consumption, too.

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