Restaurant Sciences LLC, an independent firm that closely tracks food and beverage product sales throughout the foodservice industry in North America, reports that nationwide on-premise lager sales are down 7 percent from Q3 2012 to Q3 2013. Ale sales are up slightly, rising 2 percent from Q3 2012 to Q3 2013, while Cider showed significant growth, 39 percent, from Q3 2012 to Q3 2013.
"Cider sales continue to gain ground against lager sales in Q3 2013, although they remain a small percentage of on-premise sales," says Chuck Ellis, CEO and president of Restaurant Sciences LLC. "Regionally in Q3 2013, cider sales were stronger in the Midwest and Northeast, while ale sales were stronger in the West and lager was preferred in the Southwest and Southeast."
Restaurant Sciences' sample set was more than 16 million guest checks in US restaurants, bars and hotels of all types. Restaurant Sciences compared guest checks during the timeframe of July 1, 2012 thru September 30, 2012 and July 1, 2013 thru September 30, 2013.
