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Restaurant Consumer Trends Shift as the Pandemic Continues

Consumers are returning to restaurants at an increasing rate. Food spending away from home has increased by 23.1% since the start of the pandemic while households are only spending 10.7% more on food at home.

Americans are now reaching into their wallets to treat themselves and support local businesses.
Americans are now reaching into their wallets to treat themselves and support local businesses.

As explained in a previous study from Tetra Pak–COVID-19 and the Consumer Landscape–the pandemic has shifted consumer priorities to reflect the insecurities brought on by COVID-19, such as food insecurity and financial concerns. The pandemic has also changed how consumers interact with the food industry, increasing the demand for e-commerce and touch-free options. A LendingTree study, Americans Increased Spending at Restaurants, on Takeout During Pandemic, adds another layer of consumer interaction with restaurant businesses.

The LendingTree study–based on estimated monthly food spending derived from U.S. Census Bureau data from April 2020 to January 2021–focuses on the evolution of consumer food spending habits over the course of the pandemic. The study shows that despite demographic differences including household size, state of residence, and annual household income, Americans have increased monthly food spending by 13.9% during the pandemic, growing from $1,141 last April to $1,299 this January.

Consumer food spending habits have evolved over the course of the pandemic.Consumer food spending habits have evolved over the course of the pandemic.

Despite demographic differences, Americans have increased monthly food spending by 13.9% during the pandemic, growing from $1,141 last April to $1,299 this January.Despite demographic differences, Americans have increased monthly food spending by 13.9% during the pandemic, growing from $1,141 last April to $1,299 this January.The study further breaks down this finding into food spending away from home–including restaurants and takeout–and spending on food at home. The data suggests that even though restaurants in many states have had to limit capacity or transition to takeout-only service, Americans are now reaching into their wallets to treat themselves and support local businesses.

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