Recession-sapped diners will splash a little more cash eating out this holiday season, and restaurant chains will cash in by offering special festive flavors to keep consumers coming back for more.
From Starbucks' Christmas blends to egg nog ice cream shakes at Jack in the Box and pumpkin cheesecake at California Pizza Kitchen , restaurants hope diners order drinks, starters, desserts and 'feel good' items that weren't on the dollar menus they chose the last two years.
Companies across the board will be looking for a festive fillip after same-store sales dropped significantly in the past two years, said KeyBanc Capital Markets analyst Brad Ludington.
"Consumer spending on restaurants, whether its fast food or full service, is probably going to rise 4-5 percent this holiday season from last year," said IBIS World analyst Nima Samadi.
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