Research firm: 5,200 restaurants closed in the U.S. this spring

By Jeremiah McWilliams

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

More than 5,200 restaurants closed in the U.S. this spring, dropping the total number in operation by 1 percent, according to market research by The NPD Group. The firm's census showed that independent restaurant closings contributed to most of the decline, while chain units remained relatively stable.

The number of fast food restaurants declined 1 percent, by about 2,500 units. The number of full service restaurants also fell 1 percent, by 2,683 units. That data came from a survey conducted from April 2009 to the end of March 2010.

The closings came as diners pulled back their spending and ate at home more often. Visits to U.S. restaurants fell 3 percent in the year ending May 2010, and consumer spending at restaurants fell 1 percent. That was the first decline in dollars NPD has reported since it began tracking the industry 34 years ago.

“It’s been a difficult time for the restaurant industry with customer traffic down over the past year,” said Greg Starzynski, director of product development-foodservice at NPD. “The unit losses we’re seeing in our latest census are a reflection of the weakness in the industry with the greatest impact on the independent restaurant operators.”

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