There is always excitement at the beginning of a new year, with renewed hopes of health, wealth, and happiness. It’s no different in the limited-service industry, where brands are studying up on potential trends for the next 12 months to ensure a prosperous 2014.

For now, operators are feeling cautiously optimistic about the next year. The National Restaurant Association’s (NRA) most recent Restaurant Performance Index, a measure that tracks the industry’s health and outlook, was on the upswing after a late-2013 swoon.

Potentially faster economic growth this year will be a positive for restaurants, observers say, and consumers are already growing more confident thanks to an improving jobs picture.

Fast Food Restaurant Trends To Make Big Impact In Next Year | QSR magazine.