Independent Bar Traffic Outpaced Full-Service Restaurants During the World Series, ADVAN Data Shows

According to Thomas Paulson, Head of Market Insights at ADVAN Research, independent bars experienced a stronger traffic lift than full-service restaurants (FSR) during the World Series. Independent bar traffic's 7-day trend accelerated by more than 8.5 percentage points versus the 2025 baseline.

In short

• ADVAN Research observed nationwide bar (independent) traffic accelerate by more than 8.5ppts against its 2025 baseline during the World Series, a stronger lift than full-service restaurants (FSR).
• Nationwide bar traffic over the World Series' first weekend rose +7.4% versus the average of the prior four weekends, and +11.1% from the prior weekend in 2025, ADVAN observed.
• The lift in bar traffic in the host states and cities, Wisconsin and Florida, Milwaukee and Tampa, was smaller than the nationwide gain.
• Full-service restaurant independents also enjoyed a nice sequential and year-over-year lift of their own, particularly in the host cities.
• Sequentially, Tampa Bay bars underperformed the nation, Florida and Milwaukee.

Independent Bars captured more of the World Series lift than full-service restaurants

ADVAN Research's data shows independent bar traffic's 7-day trend accelerating by more than 8.5ppts against the 2025 baseline during the World Series. The prior weekend's League Series had already brought people out to bars nationwide, setting the stage for World Series excitement.

Nationwide Bar Traffic Increased 7.4% During the World Series' First Weekend

This is versus the average of the prior 4 weekends and +11.1% from the prior weekend in 2025. The lift (vs. the prior 4-weekend average) was less in both Wisconsin and Florida, and Milwaukee and Tampa. Full-service restaurant independents in those host cities posted a sequential and year-over-year lift of their own, ADVAN observed.

Sequentially, Tampa Bay bars vastly underperformed the nation, Florida, and Milwaukee.

World Series Excitement

We suspect the lift in the host states and cities was smaller because people there also went to a wider set of venues, including full-service restaurants, to watch the games, which "spread the excitement around." We saw FSR-chains really grab ahold of World Cup fans to drive a nice lift in traffic and hours during the Cup matches; in the host-markets, FSRs are playing that play again. (See our WC story here.) By contrast, we suspect that it isn’t worth the bet by FSR-chains in non-host states and cities to make a big promotion around the World Series, create special menus, and add staffing.