Episode 11: U.S. Consumer — Dining Out or Dining In?
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America’s restaurant industry has endured dramatic change in recent years. Covid forced many restaurants to shut down, and the survivors had to adapt their operating models for a world of social distancing. Coming out of the pandemic, stimulus benefits, higher wages and asset prices, and steady employment brought a wave of discretionary spending that benefited restaurants. But since late 2023, cracks have appeared in the form of a bifurcation in the marketplace between high- and low-income consumers, with the latter in particular feeling the impact of inflation on discretionary spend. Meanwhile, changing attitudes toward health and wellness are starting to impact menu options. Join Rob Rowe, U.S. Regional Director of Research, and Jon Tower, U.S. Restaurant Analyst, as they discuss how the industry and its customers are responding to the shifting landscape, and how restaurants are likely to fare over the coming year.
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Rob Rowe is Head of the Global Strategy and Macro Group (GSMG) as well as the U.S. Regional Director of Research. GSMG unites all of Citi's economists with fixed income, FX, equity and commodities strategists to create a common team providing research on the world's major economies and asset classes. Rob has been with Citi for 30 years serving in various capacities. He originally joined Smith Barney Harris Upham & Company in 1989, working in investment banking, fixed income sales and research. In addition to his managerial responsibilities, he continues to provide portfolio strategy for select clients as part of his previous role overseeing the Global Bond Portfolio Analysis team. He has written numerous articles and publications on fixed income and portfolio strategy
Jon M. Tower is a Director at Citi Research covering the Restaurant sector. Jon has covered the restaurant industry on both the sell-side and the buy-side for the majority of his career. Prior to joining Citi in January 2022, Jon worked at Wells Fargo for over five years, Surveyor Capital for over three years, Morgan Stanley for over four years and CIBC World Markets for over two years. Jon holds a BS degree in Biochemistry from Union College (2001). He is a CFA Charterholder
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