CHICAGO — U.S. foodservice traffic decreased slightly in 2025, reflecting ongoing economic pressure on consumers even as spending per visit continued to increase, according to new data from Circana.
Circana’s analysis shows that U.S. foodservice traffic dropped by 0.3% year over year, compared to a small 0.2% increase globally. Despite the decline in traffic, overall foodservice spending increased as consumers paid more per visit, emphasizing the importance of pricing and menu mix in maintaining industry revenue.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, spending continued to rise, with average spend per visit up 3%, helping to offset limited traffic growth across the sector.
Quick-service restaurants (QSRs) remained the most resilient segment of the industry. Globally, QSRs accounted for about half of all foodservice visits and saw 0.8% growth in traffic, underscoring the category’s importance as consumers seek value and convenience amid economic uncertainty.
Other segments showed mixed results. Full-service restaurants saw a modest 0.6% increase, while non-commercial and retail foodservice segments saw traffic declines throughout the year.
Circana also noted that traffic slightly improved later in the year, with fourth-quarter gains seen in the United States and several other key markets, indicating that consumer demand might stabilize as we move into 2026.
“For operators seeking diversified growth, international markets provide an attractive opportunity,” said David Portalatin, senior vice president and food industry advisor for Circana. He added that companies expanding internationally must customize strategies to suit local market conditions and consumer preferences.
The findings are based on Circana’s CREST data covering the three months ending December 2025 across 12 global markets.
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