Americans Ditch Dining Out: Affordability Crisis Hits Hard

The frequency of Americans dining out has reached an unprecedented low, with only 39% reporting weekly visits in 2026. This figure represents a significant drop from prior years, exacerbated by persistent price increases over the last four years. The trend is particularly pronounced among middle- and upper-income households, who are dining out less often.

Takeout and delivery services are also seeing a decrease in popularity, with weekly orders falling to 31% in 2026, a level not seen since 2018. This indicates that consumers are not simply shifting from dining in to ordering in, but are broadly reducing their spending on restaurant meals. Food safety concerns, such as a recent cyclosporiasis outbreak, may have also contributed to consumer hesitancy.

Restaurants are struggling to adapt, with many facing closures due to rising ingredient costs and reduced customer budgets. While some chains are experimenting with new menu items or value deals, independent and fine dining establishments have limited options for regaining customers amid this challenging economic climate.