A three percent drop in independent restaurant unit counts compared to year ago brought the total U.S. restaurant count down by one percent to 630,511 units, according to a census of U.S. commercial restaurant locations compiled in the spring and fall of each year by The NPD Group, a leading global information company. 

The drop in independent restaurants was concentrated in the full service segment, which includes casual dining, midscale/family dining, and fine dining.  Although full service independent units were down 3 percent, quick service independent units did remain stable. “It’s a tough road for independent restaurants particularly in a down or even soft economic climate,” says Greg Starzynski, director of product management at NPD Foodservice.  “Independent operators do not have the resources of a chain to sustain themselves in slower times.” 

The overall decline in restaurant units is a reflection of the stalled traffic growth experienced by the foodservice industry over the past several years.  Independent traffic, quick service hamburger, and full service restaurant visit declines, particularly at midscale dining establishments, are contributing to industry traffic not growing. Visits to total restaurants were flat in the year ending in May 2015 compared to same period prior year, according to NPD’s ongoing foodservice market research, CREST.

Over a five year period, traffic has declined by 3 percent at midscale and family dining restaurants, and by 2 percent at independent restaurants.  Quick service restaurants, which represent 79 percent of total industry traffic, were up 1 percent and casual dining restaurants were flat after several years of decline in the year ending May 2015 period compared to year ago. 
The total restaurant count decrease was offset by a one percent increase in chain restaurant units. Fast casual chain units increased by 7 percent, based on NPD’s Spring 2015 ReCount, which includes restaurants open as of March 31, 2015.