Feb. Restaurant Index Highest Since Nov. 2007

"Driven by a solid improvement in restaurant operators' outlook, the National Restaurant Association's comprehensive index of restaurant activity rose to its highest level in 27 months in February (see chart above). The Association's Restaurant Performance Index (RPI), a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry stood at 99.0 in February, up 0.7 percent from January and its strongest level since November 2007.

However, despite the solid improvement, the RPI remained below 100 for the 28th consecutive month, which signifies contraction in the index of key industry indicators. The RPI's strong gain in February was the result of broadbased improvements among the forward-looking indicators. Restaurant operators' optimism for sales growth stood at its strongest level in 29 months, with capital spending plans also rising to a two-year high."