The insight: Restaurant visits have fallen steadily this year as consumers curb spending in response to economic uncertainty.

• Same-store traffic declined 1.5% YoY in April, per Black Box Intelligence data.
• While that was a slight improvement from March’s 2.2% decline, it marked the fifth-straight month of decreasing traffic.

Behind the numbers: With prices rising for grocery staples like coffee and bananas—and with President Donald Trump’s tax bill set to erode lower-income consumers’ buying power—dining out is increasingly becoming an occasional indulgence rather than a regular occurrence.

• That’s reflected in the fact that while sales at fast casual and quick-service restaurants are falling, interest in on-premise dining is on the rise—a sign that consumers are looking to make the most of their increasingly infrequent restaurant meals.
• At the same time, more visits are being concentrated on weekends, according to Technomic data presented at the National Restaurant Association Show, indicating that consumers are saving their visits for times when they can fully enjoy the experience.

Our take: The restaurant industry is particularly exposed to the impact of tariffs and economic volatility, since eating out is one of the first things consumers cut when they’re feeling strained. To keep customers coming, operators must emphasize value—either in the form of deals and limited-time offers, or with an exemplary experience that justifies the cost of dining out.