NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—Foodservice consultancy Technomic revised its 2009 U.S. foodservice industry nominal growth forecast downward to -2.2 percent. The firm expects 2009 will be the worst year for foodservice since it began tracking performance in 1972.
The revision is the result of contraction in the economy, a continuing slowdown in consumer spending and accelerating job losses.
During its Foodservice Planning Program meeting, Technomic acknowledged that lower commodity prices will help operators reduce the need to take price increases in this tough economic environment.
“However, even if the economy were to improve quickly in the second half of 2009, real growth is expected to remain negative,” said Joe Pawlak, Technomic vice president.
