July 13, 2026
Key takeaways
- Fast Casual sales grew +3.21% year-over-year in June 2026 (trailing 28-day average)
- Full Service sales grew +2.71% year-over-year in June 2026 (trailing 28-day average)
- Food costs averaged 30% of sales, a slight increase from May 2026
- Avocados were June's biggest price mover, up +53% month-over-month
- Fresh tomatoes dropped the most, down -44% month-over-month — the second straight month tomato prices declined
- The Northeast was the top-performing region, up +18%
This report is based on aggregated, anonymized sales and invoice data from 12,000+ restaurants across the country using the MarginEdge platform, covering the period of June 1–30, 2026.
What was restaurant sales growth in June 2026?
The trailing 4-week (28-day) average of year-over-year (YoY) sales growth for June 2026 came in at:
| Segment | YoY Sales Growth (28-day avg.) |
|---|---|
| Fast Casual | +3.21% |
| Full Service | +2.71% |
Looking at the 7-day moving average, both segments posted positive growth for most of the month. Growth peaked around Father's Day and Juneteenth weekend, when Fast Casual hit +3% and Full Service reached +8% — the strongest single-week performance of the month for both segments.
Food costs in June 2026
Food costs averaged 30% of sales in June 2026, a slight increase from May. This continues a pattern operators should watch heading into the back half of the summer, when produce volatility tends to be highest.
Wine cost averaged 32% of sales, while beer cost averaged 23% of sales and liquor cost averaged 16% of sales in June 2026.
| Purchase category | Average cost as a percentage of sales |
|---|---|
| Food | 30% |
| Beer | 23% |
| Wine | 32% |
| Liquor | 16% |
Which food prices changed the most in June 2026?
Biggest price increases
| Item | Change vs. May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Fresh avocados | +53% |
| Romaine lettuce | +19% |
| Romaine hearts | +18% |
| Butter croissants | +16% |
| Yukon potatoes | +14% |
Biggest price decreases
| Item | Change vs. May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Fresh tomatoes | -44% |
| Pita bread | -41% |
| Roma tomatoes | -37% |
| Fresh broccoli | -32% |
| Fresh asparagus | -29% |
Notably, this is the second consecutive month tomato varieties have topped the Droppers list — welcome news for operators managing produce-heavy menus.
Regional performance: June 2026
The Northeast led all regions for the second straight month, posting +18% growth. Regional performance continues to vary meaningfully by market, underscoring the value of comparing your own numbers against your specific region rather than the national average alone.
| REGION | YoY Sales Growth (28-day avg.) |
|---|---|
| Northeast | +18% |
| South | +2% |
| West | +6% |
| Midwest | +2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the average restaurant sales growth rate in June 2026? Fast Casual restaurants averaged +3.21% YoY sales growth and Full Service restaurants averaged +2.71% YoY, based on the trailing 28-day average through the end of June 2026.
What percentage of restaurant sales went to food costs in June 2026? Food costs averaged 30% of sales in June 2026, a slight increase from May 2026.
Which food prices increased the most in June 2026? Fresh avocados saw the largest increase, up 53% compared to May 2026, followed by romaine lettuce, up 19%.
Which food prices decreased the most in June 2026? Fresh tomatoes dropped 44%, the largest decrease of any item tracked, followed by pita bread (-41%) and Roma tomatoes (-37%).
Which region had the strongest restaurant sales performance in June 2026? The Northeast led all U.S. regions in June 2026, with sales up 18% — its second consecutive month at the top.
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Methodology: Data is aggregated and anonymized from 12,000+ restaurants using the MarginEdge platform across the United States and Canada. Sales figures reflect trailing 28-day and 7-day year-over-year averages by segment (Fast Casual, Full Service). Price movement figures reflect month-over-month change in average invoiced cost per unit for tracked ingredients. Regional figures reflect trailing 28-day year-over-year sales growth by U.S. Census region.
