What did we learn from the NRA’s 2025 State of the Industry report? What’s the actual cost of brand loyalty? How do restaurant operators see tariffs impacting their businesses? Answers to these questions and more This Week in Foodservice.

Expect the foodservice industry to take a small step forward next year, due to operating conditions and consumers’ ability to spend likely being eerily similar to 2024.

It appears as if the lingering effects of COVID-19 will continue to suppress restaurant industry sales for at least one more year.

After a rough start to the year, sales of foodservice equipment and supplies seem poised for a big comeback, according to the latest data from the Manufacturers Agents’ Association for the Foodservice Industry.

Surging numbers of positive cases continues to stall the restaurant industry’s recovery from the closures aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19.

While it did not take long for most states and municipalities to mandate restaurant restrictions to slow the spread of the coronavirus, reopening is another story, for various reasons.

For the third consecutive week, restaurant industry transactions continued to show signs of life.

Sales among the top 100 foodservice equipment and supplies dealers totaled $11.06 billion in 2019, up 7.9 percent from 2018’s total of $10.25 billion, according to FE&S’ 2020 Distribution Giants study. This year, sales increased for 70 percent of the dealers within the top 100, while 26 percent reported a decline in sales. Four percent of dealers reported no change in sales.

Despite a host of challenges, restaurant industry sales will reach a record high of $863 billion in 2019, per the National Restaurant Association. This marks an increase of 3.6 percent compared with 2018, when the industry posted sales of $833.1 billion. It also marks the tenth consecutive year of industry growth.

Sales among the top 100 foodservice equipment and supplies dealers totaled $10.296 billion in 2018, up 7.82 percent from $9.549 billion in 2017, according to FE&S’ 2019 Distribution Giants study. Sixty-nine percent of the top 100 dealers reported increased sales, up 4 percent from last year. And 22 percent reported a decline in sales, which is 5 percent less compared to last year.

FE&S’ subscribing operators share how they purchase foodservice equipment and supplies, their expectations and more.

Sales among the top 100 foodservice equipment and supplies dealers totaled $9.637 billion in 2017, up 11.37 percent from $8.653 billion in 2016, according to FE&S’ 2018 Distribution Giants study. Sixty-five percent of the top 100 dealers reported increased sales, down 16 percent from last year. And 27 percent reported a decline in sales, which is 12 percent more compared to last year.

At research firm Datassential’s Foodscape conference, experts discussed the increasing prevalence of robotics, automation and even artificial intelligence in chain restaurants and other operations. While these potential technological advancements are suitable for more repetitive jobs like flipping burgers, they open up a need for more tech-savvy employees who feel comfortable working alongside these machines and can also focus on higher level tasks, like menu development and operational management.

Sales among the top 100 foodservice equipment and supplies dealers totaled $9.022 billion in 2016, up 14.85 percent from $7.84 billion in 2015, according to FE&S' 2017 Distribution Giants study. Eighty-one percent of the top 100 dealers reported increased sales. And 14 percent reported a decline in sales.

The industry's longest-running study of the top 100 foodservice equipment and supplies dealers by sales volume.

The industry’s longest running study of the top 100 foodservice equipment and supplies dealers by sales volume.

The Industry's original study of the top 100 foodservice equipment and supplies dealers by sales volume.

FE&S’ annual look at the top 100 foodservice equipment and supplies dealers by sales volume.

Foodservice Equipment and Supplies magazine’s annual proprietary research results in the listing of the top 100 foodservice equipment and supplies dealers by sales volume.

For the second consecutive year, a harsh economic climate took its toll on foodservice equipment and supplies dealers. In 2009, 64 of the top 100 E&S dealers reported a decline in sales, and according to FE&S estimates, 11 dealers were flat or experienced lower sales than in 2008. All told, FE&S projects sales among the top 100 dealers declined by $583 million, or 11.89 percent, in 2009.