Americans holding on to extra savings overall, but spending more at franchise restaurants

Low gas prices are giving Americans a boost to their bank accounts, but that doesn't mean consumers are willing to spend their extra savings willy-nilly.

Fortunately for restaurant owners, food is one area where consumers aren't shy about making purchases

Food-services sales, such as those at Back Yard Burgers chains across the country, experienced a monthly increase of 0.8 percent during January, as well as 11.3 percent from the same time last year, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

This is in comparison to a relatively paltry 3.3 percent annual increase in sales across all retailers.

Citing data from AAA, The Wall Street Journal reported that as of Thursday, Feb. 12, U.S. gas prices had fallen to an average of $2.23 a gallon, down from $3.32 during the previous year. If this trend continues, it could result in further sales boosts for restaurant chains throughout the U.S.

Even if many consumers are wary of spending too freely at most retailers, sometimes there's just no arguing with the taste of a juicy cheeseburger.