May 2025 National Restaurant Sales Metrics

April 2025 national restaurant sales metrics are in!

The trailing 4-week (28-day) average of year-over-year (YOY) sales for Fast Casual came in at +2.25% and Full Service at +0.51% at the end of May compared to 2024 sales.

Across the 7-day moving average chart, we saw positive sales throughout the month for Fast Casual, and a +5% bump on Mother's Day weekend for Full Service. 

Food costs averaged 27% of sales last month, reflecting a 1% drop from April's average.

Live lobster and plain cheesecake topped our Droppers list with prices -39% and -29%, respectively, lower on average than in April, followed by avocados (down -15%). For our Movers chart, Brussels sprout prices had a +31% increase compared to April prices, followed by chicken legs (+21%) and boneless chicken thighs (+13%).

Regionally, all parts of the US ended the month with positive growth, led by the South and the West at +3% growth.  

We'll see you in July!