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Dayton-area restaurants seeing solid signs of recovery
Dayton-area restaurants and their counterparts nationwide are showing solid signs of resurgence that promises to help them shake off a recession that hit the industry hard.
Data released this morning, April 30, by the National Restaurant Association shows the organization’s Restaurant Performance Index, a closely watched barometer of restaurant activity, rose sharply in March to its strongest level since September 2007. And first-quarter financial reports released this week from public restaurant companies such as McDonald’s, Chipotle and The Cheesecake Factory showed increased customer traffic, improvements in same-store sales and increased bottom lines, according to Nation’s Restaurant News. Those are encouraging signs for a sector of the economy that employs one of every 10 Ohioans.
“Tables are beginning to fill again,” said James Shipley, chef of Artisans Cafe in Clayton. “Diners are coming out and spending more, and they’re staying for dessert. It isn’t yet like before the recession, but people are beginning to relax and enjoy a little time out.”
Pine Club owner David Hulme sees several encouraging signs: Customers’ average check totals at his Dayton steakouse are rising, his usually slow Monday- and Tuesday-night business has sprung to life, and he’s seeing his regular customers more frequently.
“After being in the restaurant business in Dayton for 35 years, all of these indicators taken as a whole tell me that there is growing confidence in our community — and the Dayton restaurant industry is beginning to feel that confidence,” Hulme said.
The National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) — a monthly barometer that tracks the health of and outlook for the country’s restaurant industry — jumped 1.4 percent from February, rising above 100 for the first time in 29 months, a level that signifies expansion in the index of key industry indicators.
“The RPI’s solid performance in March was driven by improvements among both the current situation and forward-looking indicators,” said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the Research and Knowledge Group for the Association. “Restaurant operators reported net gains in both same-store sales and customer traffic in March, the first time in 31 months that both indicators stood in positive territory.”
The enthusiasm isn’t unanimous, and the recession inflicted plenty of pain both locally and nationally through restaurant closings and job losses. The most recent victim is Barbie’s Bistro in Kettering, which is scheduled to close on Monday, May 3 for what owner Barbie Marks said is lack of business. Chains such as Fuddrucker’s and Ruby Tuesday closed Dayton-area locations, although in yet another sign of renewal, Osaka Japanese Restaurant opened last week in a former Fuddrucker’s at 2476 Commons Blvd. near the Mall at Fairfield Commons in Beavercreek, and another Japanese steakhouse has signed a lease to open in a former Ruby Tuesday in Huber Heights.
Pam Heintz, co-owner of Artisans Cafe, shared Hulme’s positive outlook. Customers who had cut back on their visits to once a month or so are now coming in more frequently — some once a week, Heintz said.
But customers are still looking for value, or for something a little different from the regular dining experience, Heintz said. Artisans Cafe has launched a fine-dining Tuesday special, gourmet pizza Wednesdays, monthly beer-and-cheese tastings and other special events to keep customer traffic flowing, the restaurant owner said.
Miami Valley Restaurant Association President Amy Haverstick has seen business improve at the restaurant she co-owns and manages — Jay’s in Dayton’s Oregon Historic District. She agreed that diners’ expectations have changed. “They’re still looking for that great deal,” she said.
Miami Valley restaurant owners have another reason to smile: They’re gearing up for the busiest dining-out holiday of the year — Mother’s Day on May 9.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Local restaurant news, Restaurant industry news
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By tera
April 30, 2010 6:46 PM | Link to this
Barbies Bistro was never open every time I drove past it/ Would have loved to tried it.
By null
April 30, 2010 12:03 PM | Link to this
No consolation to Barbie’s Bistro, but places close in the best of times, too.