Taco Bell and other major chains are taking a hit from the cyclospora outbreak, early foot traffic data shows
Foot traffic data from Placer.ai indicates that restaurant chains like Taco Bell and Panera Bread are experiencing declines in visitors following a cyclospora outbreak linked to a produce supplier. The decline began as news of the parasite spread, affecting consumer confidence in lettuce-heavy menu items.
Why it matters
It demonstrates the immediate economic impact of food safety crises on major retail chains and the role of data analytics in tracking consumer behavior.
Initial data shows declines in foot traffic at restaurant chains, including Taco Bell and Panera Bread, as the cyclospora outbreak grew. Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Some restaurants, including Taco Bell , Panera, and Chopt, saw fewer visitors late last week. Foot traffic began declining on Friday and Saturday, according to Placer.ai data. Lettuce served at some Taco Bell locations has sickened over 1,600 people, the FDA said Thursday. Fewer diners visited Taco Bell and lettuce-heavy restaurants, including Panera, as a cyclospora outbreak grew late last week. Early data from location intelligence firm Placer.ai shows that US foot traffic at some of these chains began to decline in the second half of the week as reports of the diarrhea-causing parasite spread.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in