The National Restaurant Association newly reported that eating and drinking establishments added a net 38,000 jobs for the month of December, making the month the second strongest of 2012. StockCall has posted the technical analysis report for Starbucks Coffee Company and Panera Bread Co.

Additionally, the national economy added a net 155,000 jobs in December. This also bodes well for the industry and companies such as Starbucks Coffee and Panera Bread, as customers are less likely to pinch pennies. Low gas prices and an improving housing market are also working in favor of the industry.

With the economy on the road to recovery, several companies have been actively expanding their operations at home. Panera Bread is a good example of this, as it is currently in the process of opening a number of new locations in the US. The company has been performing well of late, and interested investors will be able to take a closer look at the company's latest financials when it releases its fiscal fourth quarter results on Feb. 5.

A number of companies have also seen success abroad, as emerging markets offer superb growth potential. Starbucks is well known for its international presence, and recently announced that it plans to add Vietnam to its geographical footprint. The company is scheduled to open its first store in Ho Chi Minh City next month. Investors wanting to see how Starbucks has been doing would not have to wait long, as the company will release its first quarter fiscal year 2013 results after the market closes today on Jan. 24, 2013.