US private employers added an average of 25,500 jobs per week for the four weeks ending May 30, 2026, down from 29,000 the prior week, according to the ADP National Employment Report (NER) Pulse. This decline continues a trend of moderation in hiring activity, reflecting a cooling labor market. The preliminary data is seasonally adjusted and based on a four-week moving average derived from ADP's high-frequency data.

The NER Pulse serves as a weekly estimate of week-over-week employment changes, utilizing a two-week lag to ensure accuracy. The report is produced by ADP Research in collaboration with the Stanford Digital Economy Lab.

Employment Trends

The table below details the four-week moving average of seasonally adjusted employment changes over recent weeks, highlighting the broader trajectory in private sector hiring:

The data highlights notable volatility in the labor market, with peak growth observed in late March and early April before a general moderation began. The estimates are subject to revision as new data is incorporated.

Data Availability

The NER Pulse publishes every Tuesday at 8:15 a.m. ET, excluding weeks when the monthly National Employment Report is released. The next scheduled release is June 16, 2026. The full report and historical data are available on the ADP Research website and in the ADP Media Center.

Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) meals remain less than half the price of casual dining at the menu level, though delivery markups, platform fees, and tips can erase that advantage, according to a new analysis from Revenue Management Solutions (RMS). The widening price gap between the two segments highlights the impact of inflationary pressures and changing consumer ordering habits on the restaurant industry.

RMS analyzed pricing across 61,000 restaurants representing 21 U.S. chains from April 2023 through May 2026 using its Competitor Price Intelligence solution. The study found that the average casual dining visit, consisting of an entree and non-alcoholic beverage, rose from $20.31 to $22.97. Meanwhile, the average QSR combo increased from $9.46 to $10.29. While both segments raised prices, QSR moved at a slower rate, widening the dollar gap from $10.85 to $12.68.

Delivery Impact on Pricing

The delivery channel significantly alters the cost structure for consumers. RMS found that a $10.29 QSR combo on a delivery app can reach $27.37 after in-app price markups, delivery fees, platform charges, and tips are factored in. This total cost is nearly the same as a casual dine-in visit with gratuity, effectively nullifying the inherent value advantage of QSR.

Consumer Behavior Shifts

Consumers appear to be responding to these cost dynamics. RMS' Q1 2026 Consumer Report indicates that delivery trails all other ordering channels in frequency. Only 52% of consumers report ordering delivery at least once a week, compared to 75% for both drive-thru and dine-in.

Delivery usage reflects ongoing consumer concern over restaurant affordability. Food-away-from-home prices rose 3.5% over the past year, compared with 2.7% for food at home, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For the first time since RMS began tracking consumer perception, more respondents (72%) believe restaurant prices are rising, compared to 68% who say the same about grocery prices.