High energy costs will hurt restaurants

Dow Jones: Oil - the kind that's burned as fuel, not used for cooking or poured on a salad - will be a major ingredient in fourth-quarter restaurant earnings. High energy costs are pinching profits at both quick-service and casual-dining chain operators, as well as the wallets of their customers. Although gasoline prices are down somewhat from third-quarter highs, costs of natural gas and other heating fuels are soaring.

Read more...