Restaurant insiders look to the economy for forecasting sales.

In the restaurant industry, the economy can have a major impact on whether or not businesses really see a surge in spending. Restaurant managers need to be really smart about who they hire in order to stay efficient, and also need to make workplace safety a priority in order to keep injury costs low. For example, having rubber mats in the kitchen can help reduce the chances of an employee slipping and falling, while training employees to call out when they’re on the move can prevent an incident such as a collision with hot food.

Although the economy continues to stay steady, Nation’s Restaurant News reports there could be some signs that warrant caution of what’s to come. According to the news provider, people are not spending as much in general this year, and when consumers do choose to go out, they’re not looking to do so at a chain or average restaurant. Instead, people are looking to get more out of their dining experience.

Business Insider also reports that in the past year, people have been spending less at restaurants. Analysts had predicted that spending within the sector would remain flat for the rest of the year, leading many industry insiders to have cause for concern. Smart business practices can help a business stay afloat even when sales are lower.