Recent data confirms that rising U.S. gasoline prices—driven largely by heightened U.S.–Iran tensions—have reduced consumer spending on dining out, leading to weaker sales across major restaurant chains.

1. US Restaurant Sales Are Declining Due to High Gas Prices

Several major U.S. restaurant chains have reported slower‑than‑expected sales, explicitly linking the decline to rising fuel costs.

• Wingstop

  • Same‑store sales fell 8.7%.
  • CEO Michael Skipworth stated that higher gas prices strained household budgets and reduced restaurant visits. Fox Business

• Domino’s Pizza

  • U.S. same‑store sales grew only 0.9%, below expectations.
  • CEO Russell Weiner noted that consumers were strained by rising energy prices, contributing to weaker performance. Fox Business

2. Gas Prices Have Risen Sharply

According to AAA data, average U.S. gasoline prices increased about 41% year‑over‑year, reaching $4.45 per gallon, with some states like California exceeding $6 per gallon.
This surge is directly linked to the war involving Iran, which disrupted global oil markets. Fox Business

3. How Gas Prices Affect Dining Behavior

Restaurant analytics firm Revenue Management Solutions found:

• At $4.20/gal, restaurant visits drop ~1.5%.
• At $5.10+/gal, fast‑food traffic drops ~3%.
• A $1 increase in gas prices causes a typical drive‑through restaurant to lose 6 customers per day, or ~$22,000 in annual sales. Fox Business

These findings confirm that fuel costs directly reduce discretionary spending, including dining out.

4. Additional Industry Commentary

Wingstop also reported that surging March gas prices were a major external pressure contributing to declining sales in early 2026. QSR magazine

---

Conclusion

Yes—U.S. restaurant spending has genuinely decreased due to rising gasoline prices, and this trend is well‑documented by multiple industry sources.
The Korean news article you referenced accurately reflects the situation.

 

We are really happy that we can help restaurants overcome their challenges. With MenuOnePOS, it’s easier to cut down on POS operating costs, manage online orders more efficiently, and even reduce the number of staff needed — making day‑to‑day operations smoother and more affordable.

 

 

---

---

We are really happy that we can help restaurants overcome their challenges. With MenuOnePOS, it’s easier to cut down on POS operating costs, manage online orders more efficiently, and even reduce the number of staff needed — making day‑to‑day operations smoother and more affordable.