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NEW YORK--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Slow economic growth and continued high unemployment have limited the recovery in discretionary consumer spending, but steady improvement for the restaurant sector should continue according to [ Bob Bielinski ], Managing Director and Head of the Restaurant Industry Practice at [ CIT Group Inc ], (NYSE: CIT) [ cit.com ], a leading provider of financing to small businesses and middle market companies. This topic is one of many discussed in the [ U.S. Restaurant Industry Outlook ]([ cit.com/vodcastbielinski ]), the latest in a series of in-depth executive video Q&As featured in the award winning [ CIT Executive Insights ] video series [ (cit.com/executiveinsights). ]

"Large and middle market restaurant companies, as well as franchisees of larger chains, have accessed the debt markets to finance growth, whether itas acquisitions, new units or remodels"

Financing Available for Large Operators

Like consumers, lenders stepped away from the market during the downturn; however, they have returned, along with some new entrants. aLarge and middle market restaurant companies, as well as franchisees of larger chains, have accessed the debt markets to finance growth, whether itas acquisitions, new units or remodels,a says Bielinski. aHowever, if youare a smaller company or a franchisee of a smaller chain, youare probably still finding it difficult to get financing.a

IPO Markets Strong, M&A Steady

Earlier this year the market saw a steady flow of mergers and acquisitions transactions, including deals for Yard House, P.F. Changas, OaCharleyas and Benihana. Bielinski comments, aThere have also been a significant number of franchisee transactions driven by the sales recovery and by the potential increase in taxes in 2013. Itas a great time to sell a business because valuation multiples are very high and the debt markets are strong, so buyers can get financing. However, the restaurant companies that were sold in 2010 and 2011 have new owners that arenat ready to sell.a

The initial public offering market in 2012 has been strong for restaurant companies. Burger King and Bloomina Brands, the parent of the Outback Steakhouse chain, are formerly public companies that had gone private and are once again public. The public market has also welcomed smaller companies, including Ignite Restaurant Group, Chuyas and Del Frisco. Bielinski adds, aThe exciting news is the access these smaller companies now have. In the past the market wouldnat have been accepting of companies that small.a

Social Mediaas Impacta"Juryas Out on Daily Deal Sites

Social media continues to have an impact on the restaurant industry, as Twitter and Facebook allow companies to communicate with their customers and customers to communicate with each other. Bielinski says, however, aThe jury is still out on daily deal sites like Groupon. Thereas a debate among restaurateurs as to the benefit of these sites. If Groupon customers simply chase deals and never become permanent customersathereas not much benefit to the restaurateur.a

Steady Improvement for the Sector in Sight

According to Bielinski, while consumers are still spending, unemployment needs to come down for the sector to see meaningful increases in restaurant sales. He comments, aConsumers have a tremendous amount of choice in the restaurant industry. The strong operators, especially the fast casual players, are going to see continued solid sales and theyare going to continue to add units. In the aggregate I think weare going to see steady but slow improvement in the sector.a

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About CIT
Founded in 1908, CIT (NYSE: CIT) is a bank holding company with more than $33 billion in finance and leasing assets. A member of the Fortune 500, it provides financing and leasing capital to its small business and middle market clients and their customers across more than 30 industries. CIT maintains leadership positions in [ small business ] and [ middle market lending ], [ factoring ], [ retail finance ], [ aerospace ], equipment and [ rail leasing ], and [ global vendor finance ]. CIT also operates CIT Bank (Member FDIC), [ BankOnCIT.com ], its primary bank subsidiary, which offers a suite of savings options designed to help customers achieve a range of financial goals. [ cit.com ]

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