Dining Out Looks Different as U.S. Consumers Get Creative with Stretching Dollars, Popmenu Study Finds

• Consumers currently spend $100 on restaurants per week, up from $90 in February, but still down from $115 in June 2025
• Tap water, children's meals for grown-ups, and appetizers instead of entrees are among ways consumers are reducing check totals
• 60% are ok with restaurants using AI to enhance service
• 40% are cutting back on tips with restaurants impacted the most

ATLANTA, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On average, consumers today spend $100 per week on restaurants, an improvement from earlier this year, but still trailing June 2025 by $15. Two-thirds (67%) are spending less on restaurants than last year as they look for ways to dine out while sticking to their budgets. Cutting alcohol, skipping delivery, dining earlier, drinking free water and ordering kids' meals for adults are among tactics being used. Many are also tipping less and choosing quick service (ex: McDonald's), fast casual (ex: Panera) and casual (ex: Chili's) restaurants more often.

This is according to a new report by Popmenu, a restaurant technology leader that serves over 12,000 restaurants globally. The report draws on six months of national research on 3,000 U.S. consumers to uncover how dining habits are changing, what guests value most and what this means for restaurant operators. Surveys ran in February, May and July 2026. See the full report here.

"Around 30% of monthly food budgets go to restaurants today, down from a high of 40% in 2022," said Brendan Sweeney, CEO and Co-founder of Popmenu. "What that tells us is consumers are spending intentionally, not reluctantly. Restaurants have pushed menu prices about as far as they can go. Consumers are looking for value and incentives to come back. They're also looking for the whole experience to be easy, and that starts with the restaurant's digital storefront."

How are budget pressures reshaping dining behavior?

When asked how they are keeping restaurant dining affordable, consumers pointed to the following:

• 52% - drinking water instead of purchasing a beverage
• 50% - picking up orders more frequently than ordering delivery
• 48% - using coupons or rewards points
• 47% - choosing less expensive restaurants
• 29% - ordering an appetizer instead of a meal
• 28% - decreasing alcohol purchases
• 16% - ordering kids' meals for adults

Which restaurant meals are consumers cutting back on most?

A majority (60%) of consumers are dining out less frequently. Dinner is taking the biggest hit, with 46% cutting back, followed by lunch at 37%, breakfast at 28%, and late-night snacking at 24%.

What do consumers want from restaurants?

When asked what makes them choose one restaurant over another, three factors emerged: visibility, affordability, and being easy to do business with.

• SEO and AEO are table stakes. 80% use Google and other search engines to find restaurants; 27% use AI tools such as ChatGPT. Restaurants that rank high are chosen more often.
• Visuals close the deal: 80% are more likely to choose a menu with photos, videos and reviews.
• Direct ordering is preferred: 94% would rather order from a restaurant's own website vs. ordering from a thirty party where fees tend to be higher.
• Value drives spending: 62% prefer restaurants with affordable meal options and special deals; 58% will spend more if there's a discount.
• A little VIP treatment goes a long way: 46% are more likely to choose restaurants with loyalty programs; 70% are willing to join a restaurant's mailing list and 79% would download a restaurant's app.
• AI is enhancing hospitality: 60% are ok with restaurants using AI to provide better, faster service, from answering phones and taking orders to preparing and serving food.

How much are consumers tipping at restaurants?

As belts tighten, 40% of consumers say they are tipping less this year. Of these consumers, 78% say they are cutting back on tips for restaurants and bars. The following shows how much consumers tip, on average, by restaurant type:

Survey Methodology

Popmenu conducted three anonymous nationwide surveys of U.S. consumers ages 18 and older. Each survey had 1,000 participants. They were conducted February 4 to February 5, 2026, May 8 to May 9, 2026 and July 22 to July 23, 2026.

About Popmenu

As a leader in restaurant technology, Popmenu is on a mission to make profitable growth easy for all restaurants. Digital marketing, online ordering, and on-premise technologies headline a powerful product suite infused with artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and deep data on guest preferences. The company consolidates tools needed to engage guests, serving as a digital control center for more than 12,000 independent restaurants and hospitality groups in the US, UK, Canada and Mexico. For more information, visit popmenu.com.

Media Contact
Jennifer Grasz
VP of Marketing, Popmenu
[email protected] 

SOURCE Popmenu Inc.