Webinar/Podcast
State of the Restaurant Industry & Economic Outlook
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Restaurant operators face mounting challenges as rising costs and more cautious consumers put pressure on profitability. Meanwhile, the broader economy and consumer spending reflect a mix of resilience and uncertainty. This session delivers a data-driven analysis of current trends shaping the restaurant and foodservice industry and explores what lies ahead for the rest of 2026 and 2027—helping operators anticipate opportunities and prepare for potential risks in a rapidly evolving market.
Key Takeaways
- Understand the current state of the restaurant sector, as well as the economic outlook
- Learn about sales and traffic trends for the industry.
- Gain insights into relevant challenges—as well as signs of resilience—in the restaurant sector.
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About the Presenter:
Chad Moutray
Senior Vice President, Industry Research And Knowledge, and Chief Economist
National Restaurant Association
Chad Moutray is chief economist and senior vice president for industry research and knowledge and chief economist at the National Restaurant Association. Previously, he served as chief economist at the National Association of Manufacturers (2011–2024) and at the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy (2002–2010). He began his career as dean of the School of Business Administration at Robert Morris College in Chicago. Dr. Moutray holds a Ph.D. in economics from Southern Illinois University and bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Eastern Illinois University. In addition to his role at the NRA, Dr. Moutray is an adjunct professor at George Washington University, where he teaches econometrics in the M.S. in the applied economics program.
Registration Details:
| Date: | Wednesday, October 14th, 2026 |
| Duration: | 60 minutes |
| Time: | 1:00pm Pacific, 3:00pm Central, 4:00pm Eastern |
| Registration Link: | https://www.restaurantowner.com/snip/597.htm |
