US Fast-Food turnover declined

The fast-food segment posted a 1 percent year-over-year drop in traffic during the quarter that ended in February – the first venture into negative territory since the same quarter in 2003, according to NPD's Consumer Reports.

Fast-food chains, which have been expanding menus that offer food items for around $1, generally have been the most insulated from the current recession that has forced cash-crunched diners to eat more meals at home and trade down to lower-priced eateries. The overall food service industry suffered a 1.5 percent fall in quarterly traffic – the second consecutive quarter of negative customer counts — as mounting job losses dented weekday lunch and dinner visits. While diners cut back on weekday visits, NPD said they ate out more often during the weekend – reversing a trend seen in prior quarters.