Soaring Gas Prices Lower Consumer Restaurant Spending
Higher gasoline prices have reduced consumer discretionary spending, forcing major restaurant chains to lower sales expectations for coming quarters.
- Wingstop and Domino reported weaker-than-expected sales growth in the latest quarter, as soaring gasoline prices forced customers to cut back on spending.
- Global oil supply disruptions, related to the ongoing Israeli and Iran conflict, drove average gasoline prices to $4.43 per gallon.
- Industry leaders describe the macro environment as "extremely difficult" to predict, leading many restaurant chains, including Wingstop, to maintain cautious outlooks.
- Some chains reported flat annual growth, with one competitor posting better-than-expected same-store sales growth of 0.5% despite broader industry challenges.
- Beginning earlier this year, the disruption is expected to persist as high pump prices continue to squeeze consumer budgets throughout the remainder of the year.
12 Articles
12 Articles
The Billings Gazette
High gas prices curb restaurant spending
Several U.S. restaurant chains, including Wingstop and Domino's, reported weaker-than-expected sales growth in the latest quarter, saying soaring gasoline prices caused by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran have forced their customers to cut back on other spending.
Soaring gas prices lower consumer restaurant spending
Several U.S. restaurant chains, including Wingstop and Domino's, reported weaker-than-expected sales growth in the latest quarter, saying soaring gasoline prices caused by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran have forced their customers to cut back on other spending.
U.S. restaurant sales drop as Iran war pushes gasoline prices higher
NEW YORK, NY (May 6, 2026) — Several U.S. restaurant chains including Wingstop and Domino’s reported weaker-than-expected sales growth in the latest quarter, saying that soaring gasoline prices caused by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran have forced their customers to cut back on other spending. Many don’t expect consumers to feel relief anytime soon. Analysts expect other restaurant chains also will show declining sales growth in upcoming earnings i…
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