Buoyed by positive same-store sales and customer traffic results, the Washington, D.C.-based National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) rose in November. The RPI, a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry, stood at 99.9 in November, up 0.5 percent from October. However, November marked the second consecutive month in which the RPI stood below 100.

Chicago-based Technomic Inc.’s Beverage Consumer Trend Report found that beverages sales could help restaurants to boost check averages.

 In the foodservice channel, 46.8 percent of companies are in the quick-service restaurant business, according to the 2012 Chain Restaurant Report published by Chain Store Publishing Corp.  

In its “Breakfast Consumer Trend Report,” Chicago-based research firm Technomic notes that coffee is playing an increasingly important role in consumers’ breakfast purchasing decisions. Thirty-three percent of consumers who drink coffee at breakfast say they are loyal to a coffee brand or restaurant that serves their preferred coffee, which is an increase from 25 percent who reported loyalty in 2009, it states.

The National Restaurant Association (NRA), Washington, D.C., will debut a new Healthier Kids Fare pavilion at its 2012 Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, May 5-8, at Chicago’s McCormick Place.

As restaurant operators continue to recover from the effects of the recession, fast-casual restaurants have received positive marks from analysts. According to Chicago-based Technomic Inc.’s 2011 Top Fast-Casual Chain Restaurant Report, the foodservice segment outpaced the rest of the restaurant industry in 2010, with the top 100 chains growing 6 percent to nearly $18.9 billion. The total units grew 3.9 percent, which was slower than last year, but faster than other dining segments, according to the report.

Carrollton, Texas-based T.G.I. Friday’s developed a new Buy Your Friend A Beer Facebook application to complement its Better with Brew menu. By “liking” the Friday’s fan page and placing an order through the custom tab, Facebook users 21 years and older can buy their Facebook friends as many as five beers. Recipients receive an electronic gift card to redeem in the restaurant. Purchase price is set at $5, regardless of the recipient’s regional location, and is redeemable for any beer of choice, including a selection of regional craft beers; non-alcohol beverage or food item at any local T.G.I. Friday’s.