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Americans Eat Out Despite Rough Times

Americans Enjoying Eating Out
Despite the current economic downturn, the vast majority of Americans are still spending their money eating out. A recent article from USA Today explains that between 2007 and 2008 there was no change in the amount of people purchasing meals outside of the home. According to NPD Group, a marketing research firm, Americans bought 1% more meals at a restaurant in November of 2008 than November 2007.

As NPD vice president Harry Balzar states: "There hasn't been a recession in eating. We may postpone a car purchase or a new coat, but we won't postpone eating." The survey USA Today refers to deals with all kinds of eating out, whether it's at a three-star Michelin restaurant or McDonald's. I'd be curious to know how certain categories of restaurants are holding up through this economic decline. The article does point out that people are trying to save money and time, and, as a result, they are turning to "inexpensive takeout options."

Check out the poll below to let us know if your eating habits have changed.

Do you eat out less often due to the current economic situation?
Yes231 (43.7%)
No. I eat out more.24 (4.5%)
No. I eat out the same amount as I did before.274 (51.8%)

Filed Under: Business, Trends, Newspapers, Stores & Shopping, Food News, Chefs & Restaurants, Restaurants
Tags: eating out, EatingOut, food business, FoodBusiness, restaurantbusiness, restaurants, spending, stores-and-shopping

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

tracyschwab

1-10-2009 @4:19PM tracyschwab said... I had to answer "No, I eat out the same as I did before", but I have to qualify that...we rarely eat dinner out, but I do usually pick up a salad from the grocery store salad bar for lunch. Does that count?
Reply

Lisa

1-10-2009 @4:49PM Lisa said... Most people are being particular about what they spend their money on in department stores. these days. Most of the sales are bad because the stores are not restocking or have anything WORTH buying. That's what happened during the holidays, people WERE out looking. Food is food. A restaurant cant try to sell us last years lamb chop ( at least I hope not lol )
Reply

Rt

1-10-2009 @5:25PM Rt said... I'm with Tracy, the amount is the same - almost none. I learned to cook a long time ago. The sad part is I like what I cook MUCH better than what I am served (as a rule).

When I do eat out I prefer a local eatery, certainly not a chain. They can at least kick my butt cooking-wise.
Reply

Andi

1-10-2009 @7:11PM Andi said... My guess is that they eat out and then proceed to completely stiff the waiter/waitress on the tip.
Reply

John Tanaka

1-10-2009 @8:49PM John Tanaka said... I don't think those guys are American... especially the one on the right!
Reply

Dixon Gorged

1-11-2009 @1:53AM Dixon Gorged said... The guy on the left just pretends he's American. If he were American, though, it would probably skew the data by 5-6% upward.
Reply

Amanda

1-12-2009 @6:53AM Amanda said... Yeah, my sister is a waitress in a big city. She says at her 2 restaurants, things have been busier actually, but people are not tipping like they used to.

I guess forget your fellow man's economic problems in lieu of your own.
Reply

doodoolemonque

1-12-2009 @7:47AM doodoolemonque said... many, like David Hasselhoff are ordering burgers out and taking them home. Though I can afford to eat out, I am doing so less, other than the occasional meeting up with a regular Friday night dinner group. I am simply trying to keep more in the bank.
Reply

Astin

1-12-2009 @9:59AM Astin said... "There hasn't been a recession in eating. We may postpone a car purchase or a new coat, but we won't postpone eating."

Quotes like this have a tendency to come back to bite people in the ass. Sure, people need to eat, but that doesn't mean they're going to eat out.

Anyway, things need to be broken down more. Grabbing a double cheesburger combo isn't anywhere near the same as sitting down for filet and lobster tail. People are looking to cut costs, so fast food is seeing a gain, but I imagine mid-high price restaurants are feeling a bit of a squeeze. This means less tips, less premium food being bought from farmers, etc.. Overall, a 1% increase due to an increase in people frequenting chains does far less for local economies than local restaurants staying steady.
Reply

Karen

1-12-2009 @10:18PM Karen said... I thought several long standing restaurant chains were going out of business because people were not eating out as much.

At least that is what the last article said.


Reply

10 Comments / 1 Pages

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