Restaurant Industry Still Came Up Short Versus 2019 Sec-ond Quarter, Says NPD; Portalatin On Consumer Behavior Changes

The NPD Group CREST consumer panel data reports that consumers began returning to restaurants during 2Q-21, with restaurants posting significant gains in sales and traffic versus the pandemic depressed 2Q-20. But the recovery still came up short versus 2Q-19. Consumer spending on restaurants was 32% higher versus a year ago and flat with 2019. Restaurant…