Holiday restaurant sales uncertain, but not doomed

As restaurant chains begin rolling out holiday promotions, researchers project a challenging season for sales.

However, some say slightly lower unemployment rates and gas prices may lift budgetary pressures for consumers in higher income brackets — which could give restaurants a slight boost in November and December.

Last week the National Retail Federation, or NRF, projected that retail industry sales for the months of November and December will increase 2.8 percent to $4