Foodservice News In Brief…
Due in large part to softer same-store sales and customer traffic results, the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) declined in May. The RPI stood at 100.6 in May, down 0.9 percent from a level of 101.6 in April. “The RPI continued along a choppy trend line in May, with the index bouncing between moderate gains and losses in recent months,” said Hudson Riehle, SVP of research for the NRA. “Much of the May dip came from declines in the same-store sales and customer traffic indicators, which softened from their stronger April performance. In addition, operators’ expectations for future business conditions are at the lowest level in three and a half years,” he said. The index stood at 100.2 in May, down 1.8 percent from April. Despite the decline, it remained above 100, which continues to signify expansion in the current situation indicators.
For the first time in five months, restaurant operators reported a net decline in same-store sales. Forty percent reported a same-store sales gain between May 2015 and May 2016, down from 58 percent who reported higher sales in April. Meanwhile, 42 percent of operators reported a same-store sales decline in May, up from 27 percent…
Ruby Tuesday is opening a series of Tesla Supercharger Stations, with the first station already in operation at the restaurant chain’s Miner, Missouri, location. Additional stations at other Ruby Tuesdays are currently in the planning stages or under construction. “We’re thrilled to partner with Tesla Motors to offer our guests a place where they can charge their Tesla vehicle while enjoying a delicious meal,” said David Skena, Ruby Tuesday’s CMO. “Expanding the Supercharger network to include Ruby Tuesday is good for both Tesla owners and our restaurants alike.” Meanwhile, Tesla and convenience store operator Sheetz have been in discussions about the possibility of expanding Tesla’s network of EV chargers…
Wright’s Farm Restaurant in Harrisville, Rhode Island, was deemed to have the “Best Family-Style Chicken” by the editors of Yankee Magazine in its annual Best of New England issue. 2016 marks the fourth time that Wright’s Farm has been included in the Best of New England issue. It also was honored in 2001, 2009 and 2014.
