By Klaudia Weissmuller
Source: funancial.news, July 2022

Consumers share what expenses they’ll deduct before restaurants

ATLANTA, July 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Amid inflation, rising energy and food costs, and talk of a potential recession, restaurant food remains a staple in consumer diets. On average, 40% of individual or family food budgets are spent on restaurants each month, according to PopMenu’s nationwide survey of 1,002 consumers in May 2022. When ordering online, a third (33%) of consumers spend $50 or more per order, on average.

Despite concerns about the pandemic, more consumers are transitioning from delivery or takeout to only on-premises dining: 45% of consumers eat in restaurant dining rooms at least twice a week.

What will be the first thing consumers give up to meet the budget?

As budgets tighten, consumers said they were more likely to pull back on other purchases such as new clothing, travel and gym memberships before reducing their restaurant spending:

  • New clothes – 44% of consumers
  • Travel – 42%
  • Gym membership – 33%
  • Ride Services (Uber, Lyft, Taxi, etc.) – 33%
  • Streaming subscriptions (Netflix, Peacock, Hulu, Prime Video, etc.) – 30%
  • Other entertainment (movies, sporting events, concerts) – 29%
  • Personal grooming (hair/nail salon) – 27%

Is restaurant food easier on the wallet?

While the convenience and taste of professionally cooked dishes certainly affect a restaurant’s reliance on food, cost is also a factor. In a Q1 2022 study of 1,000 US consumers, PopMenu found that 29% of consumers said it was cheaper to order from a restaurant than to buy all the items needed to cook a meal; 27% said it cost almost as much as…without any work.

Do life moments factor into food choices?

Another reason consumers enjoy dining at restaurants are the special moments that happen frequently, whether planned or unplanned. In PopMenu’s May 2022 survey, consumers reported experiencing the following at restaurants:

  • Reunited with family and friends – 47%
  • Made a new friend – 36%
  • Met a spouse or significant other – 26%
  • Viewed favorite team won the national championship – 25%
  • Landed a job – 20%
  • Signed a business deal – 18%

“From creating food to making memories, restaurants play a vital role in everyday life,” said Brendan Sweeney, CEO and co-founder of PopMenu. “While consumers are keeping a close eye on economic trends and their overall spending, restaurant food accounts for a significant portion of their food budget each month. Where they ultimately choose to spend their dollars is partly influenced by how much they spend. The restaurant engages consumers through digital outreach and how frictionless the overall experience is both online and on-premises. Quality, convenience and value are top of mind.”

survey method

PopMenu conducted a nationwide, anonymous survey of 1002 US consumers aged 18 years and older from May 20 to May 21, 2022.

About PopMenu

PopMenu specializes in transformational online and on-premises technologies that help restaurants increase brand visibility, guest engagement, revenue and profitability. The company is a leading innovator in digital marketing and ordering technology, working with over 10,000 independent restaurant and hospitality groups. For more information about PopMenu, visit get.popmenu.com,

media Contact:
jennifer graszow
Head of Communications, PopMenu
[email protected]

source popmenu