A new study was released today from Chicago-based consulting firm Technomic. It seems the recession is stalling appetizer sales. The study looks at consumer purchases in appetizers, soups and salads. According to the reports, heavy purchasers of salads dropped from 51 percent in 2007 to 33 percent in 2009. Similarly, heavy purchasers of appetizers fell from 40 percent in 2007 to 24 percent in 2009, and heavy purchasers of soups slipped from 25 percent to 15 percent in the same time period.

Because of my job I always order appetizers, but I can say anecdotally--given the amount of time I spend gazing at fellow diners in restaurants--I see fewer appetizers purchased and more shared apps. What can restaurants do to deal with this downward trend?