Food & Beverage

Consumers rethink dining out as budgets remain tight

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October 1, 2026

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Consumers are finding creative ways to keep restaurants in their budgets, even as overall dining spend remains below last year's levels. A new Popmenu study found Americans are spending an average of $100 per week at restaurants, up from $90 in February but down from $115 in June 2025.

Two-thirds of consumers said they are spending less at restaurants than a year ago, with 60% dining out less frequently. Dinner is taking the biggest hit, while diners also are cutting checks by drinking water, picking up orders instead of paying for delivery, using rewards and coupons, choosing less-expensive restaurants and even ordering appetizers or kids' meals in place of entrees.

The pressure is reaching gratuities as well: 40% said they are tipping less this year, with restaurants and bars most affected.

Still, consumers aren't giving up on restaurants. Instead, Popmenu CEO Brendan Sweeney said in a news release they are becoming more deliberate about where their dollars go.

"What that tells us is consumers are spending intentionally, not reluctantly," Sweeney said in the release. "Consumers are looking for value and incentives to come back."

Technology also is becoming part of the value-and-convenience equation. Sixty percent of consumers said they are comfortable with restaurants using AI to deliver faster or better service, while 27% now use AI tools such as ChatGPT to discover restaurants.

The study, based on three surveys of 1,000 U.S. consumers conducted between February and July, also found diners increasingly expect convenience and value from restaurants. Sixty-two percent favor restaurants offering affordable meals and deals, while 94% prefer ordering directly through a restaurant's website rather than a third-party platform.