NPD: U.S. restaurant count up slightly over last year

Chicago -- The U.S. restaurant count increased by less than 1% from a year ago, reaching a total of 633,043 units, according to a recent restaurant census conducted by The NPD Group. Restaurant units increased by 4,179, or 0.7% over last year, based on NPD’s Fall 2013 ReCount, which is a count of commercial restaurant locations in the United States compiled in the spring and fall each year.



Restaurant chains grew counts by 1% to a total of 281,613 units, an increase of 3,171 over last year, according to the report, which includes restaurants open as of September 30, 2013.



The independent restaurant count stood at 351,430, up 1,008 units, compared to the year ago census.



Quick-service restaurant s grew units to 333,970, up 2%, and unit counts for full-service restaurants, which include casual dining, midscale/family dining, and fine dining, declined by 1% to 299,073 units.



Fast casual, which is a restaurant category under the quick-service segment, increased units by 902 for a total of 16,215 in the most recent NPD restaurant census, up 6% from the Fall 2012 ReCount.