Uncertain outlook has analysts on the fence about ’09 forecasts

NEW YORK —Typically, this time of year is filled with brisk holiday-related sales and upbeat forecasts for the year ahead. Given the difficult and uncertain economic environment, however, many restaurant analysts and operators have begged off making any bold predictions for 2009.

As securities analyst Larry Miller at RBC Capital Markets said in a recent research note, an all-encompassing industry forecast “seems like a