I don't think the economy is a driver and I would not agree that franchises are being put on hold. uWink is just being patient. The economy is just a factor we all have to put up with.
Commuters spend less on food, movies and clothes because of gasoline costs, survey finds
July 10, 2008
Almost half of Americans who drive to work are spending less on dining out, going to the movies or buying clothes because of higher gasoline costs, according to a survey by CareerBuilder, the largest U.S. jobs website.
Among the 47% who said they've sacrificed something for higher gasoline costs, 35% are eating out less, while 31% have cut back on entertainment, said Chicago-based CareerBuilder, citing a survey of 8,700 workers completed in June. Of more than 8,700 workers queried overall, 89% said they drive to work.
Twenty-seven percent of those who have cut back said they're buying cheaper groceries, and 24% reported shopping less for clothing. Twenty-one percent skipped vacation, while 11% canceled services such as cable television or magazine subscriptions.
The survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive from May 22 through June 13.