Set Table (photo by Kevin Rosseel, courtesy of morguefile.com)

As customers across the country sought to reduce their spending on meals outside the home, many restaurants saw their revenues decline in 2008. About 40% expect 2009 to be an even more difficult year for the industry, according to a survey reported by Restaurant News. More than two-thirds of those surveyed said reduced customer traffic will be the biggest impediment to profitability.

The survey was performed by the National Restaurant Association. The survey results were garnered from an NRN online questionnaire sent to readers in December. There were 123 responses.

The Restaurant News article said, “Some relief could be found, however, in more favorable real estate and lease trends, more stable commodity costs, and the recalculation of more operator-friendly supplier contracts,” but, “new menu offerings and continued cost cutting” will be employed by many in a fight to keep their doors open in 2009.

If you’d like to read the Restaurant News article cited above go to: Battered restaurateurs looking for relief in 2009

To purchase the entire results of the survey go to: RetailNet