Restaurant Spending Plummets: 67% of Americans Cut Back as QSRs Win Big

U.S. consumers are tightening their belts when it comes to dining out, with a new Popmenu study finding that 67% are spending less at restaurants than they did a year ago and 60% are dining out less frequently. The study, titled "What Restaurant Guests Want Right Now," reports that average weekly restaurant spending has fallen to $100, down from $115 in June 2025, though it remains above the $90 recorded in February.

Rather than abandoning restaurants entirely, diners are changing their habits. Many are opting for quick-service, fast-casual, and casual restaurants, while more than half are drinking water instead of purchasing beverages. Half of consumers are choosing pickup over delivery, 48% are using coupons or rewards, and 47% are selecting less-expensive restaurants. Value is a key driver: 62% prefer restaurants offering affordable meals and special deals, and 58% would spend more if offered a discount. Loyalty programs also matter, with 46% more likely to choose restaurants that offer them. "Around 30% of monthly food budgets go to restaurants today, down from a high of 40% in 2022," said Popmenu CEO Brendan Sweeney. "Restaurants have pushed menu prices about as far as they can go. Consumers are looking for value and incentives to come back."

The findings suggest that restaurants must adapt to a more value-conscious consumer or risk losing traffic to fast-food and fast-casual competitors. Technology may play a role: 60% of consumers are comfortable with restaurants using AI to deliver faster or better service, and 27% already use AI tools like ChatGPT to discover restaurants. As inflation continues to squeeze household budgets, operators that emphasize affordability, rewards, and convenience are likely to capture the shrinking pool of dining dollars.