It’s been a rough ride, but restaurant industry insiders say that 2011 is looking up for those operators who have held on through the turbulence of the past few years.


While the business environment is still fraught with challenges, a variety of economic indicators, from unemployment and income to consumer confidence and sales data, were picking up toward the end of 2010, foreshadowing some improvement for an industry battered by the recession and the painfully slow recovery.


Food and beverage industry executives expect to see improved revenue and profitability this year and next, but continue to feel hamstrung by unemployment conditions and slow consumer spending, according to a new survey from KPMG LLP, an audit, tax and advisory firm.

Driving improvements in the industry, the survey said, will be product innovations and new marketing efforts, especially those using online and mobile technologies.