Falling oil prices have caused many economic woes for West Texas. But the news isn’t all bleak, reports Nation’s Restaurant News.According to the National Restaurant Association’s 2016 Forecast, this year Texas restaurateurs should expect to see a 3.8-percent increase in sales. That will bring total revenue up over $52 billion for the year.
Last year Texas ranked second in total restaurant sales behind California, and that ranking isn’t expected to change. Some restaurant chains are looking to expand in the Lone Star State. Colorado-based burger chain Red Robin, for example, is expecting to acquire 13 more franchised restaurants in Texas.
The state’s unemployment rate still remains below the national average. And job growth was positive in 2015 despite oil industry job losses. Consumer confidence and home-price increases in Texas also remain above national levels.