With this report, we update our data-driven Kalinowski Restaurant Industry Index for Q3 2026 to +1.1%. This is a step back — about a percentage point sequentially lower than the Q2 2026 results. The weak Q3 was caused in part by food-safety issues, but also reflective of the challenges the restaurant industry continues to face in attracting business from folks who live in lower-income and middle-income households.

With this report, we update our data-driven Kalinowski Quick-Service Pizza Index for Q3 to -1.8%. Comparing to Q3 2019 levels — a pre-pandemic basis — the Kalinowski Quick-Service Pizza Index for Q3 2026 is at +24.0%. Our -1.8% figure is based on our latest proprietary checks/data as regards same-store sales performance for this segment during July, August, and September.

With this report, we update our data-driven Kalinowski Family Dining Index for Q3 to up by +1.5%. Comparing to Q3 2019 levels — a pre-pandemic basis — the Kalinowski Family Dining Index for Q3 2026 is at +13.7%. This is the lowest such number of any major U.S. restaurant industry segment. Our latest numbers are based on our latest proprietary checks/data as regards same-store sales performance for this segment during July, August, and early-to-mid September.