Consumers are slowly returning to dining out for their evening meal. Since the 2007 recession, consumers had cut their “dining out” budgets in efforts to add more dollars to their families’ bottom line. More meals eaten at home mean leaner sales for restaurants. Nation’s Restaurant News (6/27/11) reports that dinner visits increased 2% for the first 3 months of 2011. That continues a 3% upwards trend from the last half of 2010. This improvement may reflect some folks going back to work and an increase in consumer confidence. We might also like to think it is the pent-up demand that is bubbling up. The biggest jump is in fine dining (up 5%) compared to quick service restaurants(up 1%). How has your family eating habits changed over the last 3-4 years? Have they changed in the last few months? For me when I ate out, I was more careful of what I ordered and maybe didn’t add that glass of wine (but I’m not whining). Why do you dine out? Convenience, time to bond and have conversation, too busy to cook? All of these are valid reasons to dine out. For me, I just don’t cook. The only reason there is a stove in my house is that it was there when I bought it! However I love to get a deal. With all the coupons, punch cards and deals available be sure to see if there is a way to save at your favorite haunt. Right now there is the Red Lobster’s $15.00 seafood feast. Panchero’s punch card to earn a free burrito. Taco Bell’s daily taco deal. Whatever your stomach is growling for-feed it in an effort to “feed” our economy. It’s dinner time somewhere!
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