According to leading food service marketing and analytics company CHD Expert, more than 9,400 restaurants have opened around the U.S. in the first half of 2012. The restaurant sector is beginning to see some economic recovery.

Based on its tracking of U.S. restaurant openings, closings and changes in ownership, CHD Expert finds plenty of evidence that traditional restaurants offering value-oriented foods fared better than others during the first six months of 2012.