WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 15, 2014 – Restaurant industry sales will jump 3.6 percent in 2014 to a record $683.4 billion, as the economy improves and consumers release some pent-up demand, according to a National Restaurant Association forecast.

Adjusted for inflation, sales are projected to grow 1.2 percent, marking the fifth straight year of real growth.  Still, the gains remain below what would be expected during a normal post-recession period, the association said in a posting on its website.

The industry will employ about 13.5 million people in 2014 and holds its position as the nation’s second-largest private sector employer, according to the group.

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