Salad Chains See Foot Traffic Drop Amid Cyclospora Outbreak Fears
15 reported3 unconfirmed
A cyclospora outbreak possibly linked to contaminated lettuce has led to a decline in foot traffic at several salad-heavy restaurant chains, according to data from Placer.ai. On Saturday, July 11, traffic at Chopt fell by 7.1 percent, Panera Bread was down 7.4 percent, and Sweetgreen was down 3.1 percent compared to their average Saturday traffic in 2026. The decline began around July 10, according to Placer.ai, which noted it has only a few days of data. Meanwhile, foot traffic at quick-service chains like McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A, and Wendy’s was up 0.8 percent, while all fast-casual chains saw a 2.4 percent drop. None of the salad chains have been linked to the outbreak, which may have sickened nearly 7,000 people, according to the latest CDC estimates. Federal authorities have not named any ingredient, grower, or supplier as the cause, though Michigan’s Health and Human Services department described lettuce or salad greens as a “potential source.” Sweetgreen shares were down 23.3 percent over the past five days at the time of publication. Taco Bell, which posted notices in some Detroit locations about being unable to sell certain items due to a nationwide recall, saw foot traffic down 5.8 percent on July 11, and its parent company Yum Brands’ shares fell 7.2 percent over five days.
What’s reported
On July 11, foot traffic at Chopt fell 7.1%, Panera Bread fell 7.4%, and Sweetgreen fell 3.1% compared to their average Saturday traffic in 2026.
The decline began around July 10, according to Placer.ai, which has only a few days of data.
Quick-service chains (McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A, Wendy’s) saw foot traffic up 0.8% on July 11.
All fast-casual chains saw foot traffic down 2.4% on July 11.
None of the salad chains have been linked to the outbreak.
The outbreak may have sickened nearly 7,000 people, per latest CDC estimates.
Federal authorities have not named any ingredient, grower, or supplier as the cause.
Michigan’s Health and Human Services department described lettuce or salad greens as a “potential source.”
Sweetgreen shares were down 23.3% over the past five days at publication.
Taco Bell posted notices in some Detroit locations about being unable to sell lettuce, cilantro, onion, pico de gallo, and guacamole due to a nationwide recall.
Taco Bell foot traffic was down 5.8% on July 11; in Michigan, down 11.5%.
Yum Brands shares were down 7.2% over the past five days.
New York has 510 cases in 2026, with over 380 in New York City, a threefold increase over last year.
Two customers outside a Sweetgreen in Manhattan’s Financial District said they had not heard of the outbreak.
Victoria Atweh, outside a Chopt, said she did not think about the outbreak.
Open questions
What specific ingredient, grower, or supplier caused the outbreak.
Whether any salad chain will be linked to the outbreak.
How long the foot traffic decline will last.
Key figures
Victoria Atweh (customer outside a Chopt)
Placer.ai (data provider)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Michigan Health and Human Services department
The Washington Post (reported on Taco Bell investigation)
Sources: Wired
