Restaurant spending slows in June to $666.1 billion

The most recent reading on restaurant and food-service spending shows monthly growth of just 0.24% in June, up to 666.1 billion from 664.4 billion in May, with a forecast for only a 1.32% rise in July to 674.8 billion. That is a far cry from the stronger bursts of growth seen earlier in the cycle, when monthly gains were running at 5% to 10% and more.

The backdrop is a labor market that remains intact, with unemployment at 4.2% in June and seen easing to 4.18% in July, but a consumer that is clearly more cautious. Adalytica’s Consumer Confidence Recession Sentiment gauge sits at 25, or “Fear,” while its Retail Goods Spending Sentiment is at 4, or “Extreme Fear,” a sign that shoppers are prioritizing necessities and trimming discretionary purchases.

For restaurants, that mix is awkward. It is enough demand to keep traffic flowing, but not enough pricing power to fully offset higher costs or weaker check sizes. That puts pressure on full-service and premium casual chains in particular, while value-focused operators are better positioned to capture trade-down spending.

The market is already reflecting that divide. McDonald’s shares are trading below their 200-day moving average after a sharp pullback from February highs, with the stock at $268.34 on Aug. 4 versus $336.88 in late February. Chipotle has also been volatile, slipping to $33.82 on Aug. 4 after a strong July rally, while Domino’s has outperformed, closing at $367.63 on Aug. 4, close to its recent highs and above both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages.

The broader message is that restaurant earnings this season are less about a simple recovery in demand and more about a split consumer. Chains that can win value-conscious diners, protect margins and keep traffic from sliding are likely to fare best, while operators dependent on robust discretionary spending may find the next few quarters harder to manage.

With July spending still only expected to show modest growth and consumer confidence sentiment deeply subdued, investors will be watching upcoming earnings, menu pricing and traffic trends for signs that cautious dining behavior is becoming the new normal.