Restaurant operators continue to see industry sales growth, but growth alone will not solve the industry’s margin problem. The National Restaurant Association forecasted that restaurant and foodservice sales could reach $1.55 trillion in 2026, but more recent data showed a tougher reality: 49% of restaurant operators reported lower customer traffic in April, and the industry recorded its 14th net traffic decline in 15 months. While the market is growing, many brands struggle against softer…