Same-store sales

Same-store sales, often called comps or comparable sales, compares a location's sales to the same period a year earlier, counting only units open long enough for a fair comparison (typically 12 to 18 months). By excluding brand-new stores, it isolates the growth of the existing business from the growth that comes merely from opening more doors. It is the truest read on whether a concept is getting healthier or just bigger.

Same-store sales separate real momentum from expansion, which is why investors and multi-unit operators watch it first. It also forces an honest question about the source of any growth: sales can rise because more guests came (traffic) or because each guest paid more (check). With restaurant prices up +4.1% in 2025 while 60%, a positive comp built entirely on price increases can be masking falling traffic, a very different problem from one built on more covers.

Growing comps without opening units means winning back the guests you already have and lifting the check. Retention tools (email, SMS, and loyalty) bring past guests back, review and local-search tools keep new ones finding you, and menu tools raise the check on the traffic you have. See email and SMS marketing and loyalty and retention.