U.S. foodservice growth is expected to be stagnant this year overall, but a few companies have been able to realize sales success or pursue expansion plans in an otherwise sluggish industry.
Restaurant chain Chili’s continues to outperform its casual restaurant dining competitors, and in the second fiscal quarter of 2026, Chili’s comparable restaurant sales increased 8.6 percent, according to the chain’s Dallas, Texas, U.S.A.-based parent company Brinker International.
"Chili's delivered another strong quarter with industry-leading growth of 9 percent, rolling the industry-leading growth from last year for a two-year comp sales growth of 43 percent," Brinker President and CEO Kevin Hochman said. "With 19 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth, Chili's turnaround, led by guest experience improvements, is sustaining over the long term.”
Chili’s has successfully established and maintained a clear value proposition, which consumers have prioritized as an affordable sit-down dining option, foot traffic research firm Placer.ai said in a recent report.
“Menu enhancements and competitive pricing, coupled with ongoing advertising initiatives, continue to strengthen the company's value proposition and attract new guests, while improved restaurant operations remain a driver of repeat visits,” Brinker said.
Elsewhere, Dallas-based chain TGI Friday’s has announced significant global growth plans.
After filing for bankruptcy protection in late 2024, the company, which operates 400 restaurants, is now on a firm turnaround path, with plans to reach more than 1,000 restaurants and USD 2 billion (EUR 1.7 billion) in revenue by 2030.
"TGI Friday’s pioneered the casual bar and grill category and continues to introduce Americana culture to millions around the world," TGI Friday’s CEO Ray Blanchette said. "Our focus as we accelerate our growth is to resonate with the next generation of consumers while preserving the classic Americana feel and signature experience that has made the brand beloved in more than 40 countries.”
The company plans to open new restaurants in the U.S. and U.K., as well as emerging markets such as Southeast Asia, the Balkans, and Africa. Blanchette said there is strong demand for TGI Friday’s around the world, including countries with an emerging middle class, like Thailand, Vietnam, and India.
With casual dining chains like Chili’s continuing its positive performance and TGI Friday’s experiencing a turnaround and pursuing expansion plans, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.-based Sysco, which is the country’s largest foodservice distributor, has been able to maintain steady sales growth. The company reported an overall sales increase of 3 percent in the second fiscal quarter of 2026. Sysco’s gross profit also inclined 3.9 percent to USD 3.9 billion (EUR 3.3 billion), and adjusted net earnings grew 3.9 percent to USD 476 million (EUR 400 million).
“Our performance was driven by increased local case growth and gross margin expansion,” Sysco Board Chair and CEO Kevin Hourican said.
The second fiscal quarter represented its third consecutive quarter of sequentially improving local case growth, and U.S. foodservice local case volume is now positive, according to Hourican.
The company expects to deliver at least 2.5 percent local case growth in the second half of the fiscal year.
“Given the progress we are making, we now expect our full year adjusted earnings per share to be at the high end of our previously provided guidance range of USD 4.50 [EUR 3.78] to USD 4.60 [EUR 3.86],” Hourican said.
Despite some of the larger foodservice companies and chains in the country finding success, the overall sector is largely stagnating.
At the 2026 Global Seafood Market Conference, which took place in Hollywood, Florida, U.S.A., from 18 to 22 January, Circana Vice President of Perimeter Melissa Rodriguez said “the new normal is flat,” as Circana projects overall foodservice sales to grow a mere .03 percent from 2025 to 2027.
Consumer sentiment remains low amid ongoing worries about current economic conditions, Rodriguez explained. Foodservice costs 4.3 times more away from home than for at-home occasions, and only 14 percent of meal occasions were sourced away from home in 2025 compared to 65 percent sourced at home.
Total seafood servings have declined in restaurants, too, driven by a shellfish servings decline of 5.9 percent last year. Sales by volume of seafood to restaurants fell 3.3 percent in 2025, compared to an overall foodservice volume decline of 1.6 percent.
