Chains eye expansion amid uptick in consumer spending, demandChains eye expansion amid uptick in consumer spending, demand

Sarah E. Lockyer

Signaling a possible new era of restaurant growth — driven by a slight loosening of tight consumer spending and belief there is a pent-up demand for dining out — some operators are looking to open more restaurants than they close and jump overseas when U.S. plans mature. 


The positivity comes after two consecutive years of negative unit openings for the industry, some massive chain closures and little expansion for even those brands deemed growth chains. 


At a recent investor conference, the ICR XChange held in Miami last month, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. chief executive Jim Morgan said he would be personally disappointed if the chain didn’t reach around 500 units in the United States over the next five years. The chain ...