Thanksgiving Dining Trends Show Increased Takeout Demand from Restaurants in 2024
As Thanksgiving approaches, many consumers are reconsidering their dining options, opting to let restaurants do the cooking. According to Popmenu's latest annual study on Thanksgiving dining trends, a noticeable shift is occurring this year. While the traditional act of gathering friends and family around a home-cooked meal remains a staple, an increasing number of people are choosing to either order takeout or dine out. In fact, the study revealed that 37% of respondents plan to order takeout, up from 32% last year, while a mere 5% plan to dine in at a restaurant, a significant drop from 17% the previous year.
This trend speaks volumes about the lifestyle changes many consumers are experiencing, especially in light of tightening budgets. The average consumer is anticipated to spend around $170 for Thanksgiving dinner, whether they’re dining out or preparing a meal at home. When asked why they are choosing this route, 75% of participants cited convenience as a significant factor, while 32% noted that it could be comparably priced to buying raw ingredients for home cooking. Other reasons included fatigue from cooking (23%) and the preference for professionally prepared meals (22%).
Not surprisingly, turkey is set to be the main dish for 87% of respondents, while 39% choose ham as an alternative. Popular side dishes include stuffing (68%), mashed potatoes (60%), macaroni and cheese (42%), sweet potatoes (42%), and green beans (41%). Interestingly, a notable portion of consumers, 31%, indicated they have even indulged in fast food for their Thanksgiving meals in the past.
To assist those still undecided about their Thanksgiving plans, Popmenu offers a few practical tips. First, consumers should explore their dining options by checking the websites of their favorite restaurants for menus, special promotions, and customer reviews. Additionally, ordering directly from restaurant websites as early as possible can help ensure that diners secure their orders and preferred pickup times without incurring third-party delivery fees. Staying updated on reservation openings via platforms like OpenTable can also be beneficial.
Brendan Sweeney, CEO and Co-founder of Popmenu, remarked, "Ordering in or dining out for Thanksgiving is becoming a new tradition for consumers who just want to relax and enjoy a meal rather than taking on the responsibility of cooking for the family day." He noted the significant fiscal impact restaurants are seeing, with some reporting pre-orders reaching as high as $50,000, highlighting the economic shift towards convenience this holiday season.
Looking forward, the 2024 holiday season doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Anticipation is growing for Christmas with 28% of consumers expected to order from or dine at restaurants, while 35% plan to do the same for New Year’s Eve. All these insights are derived from an anonymous national survey conducted by Popmenu among 1,000 U.S. consumers aged 18 and older between November 17 and 18, 2024. As the focus shifts toward streamlined solutions for family gatherings, restaurants are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping how consumers celebrate this holiday season.
Popmenu, a leading force in restaurant technology, aims to support the industry's growth by providing tools that enhance digital marketing, streamline online ordering, and optimize in-house technologies enriched with AI and data analytics. With its mission, Popmenu has become an essential hub for over 10,000 independent restaurants and hospitality groups across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. More information can be found at popmenu.com.
This trend speaks volumes about the lifestyle changes many consumers are experiencing, especially in light of tightening budgets. The average consumer is anticipated to spend around $170 for Thanksgiving dinner, whether they’re dining out or preparing a meal at home. When asked why they are choosing this route, 75% of participants cited convenience as a significant factor, while 32% noted that it could be comparably priced to buying raw ingredients for home cooking. Other reasons included fatigue from cooking (23%) and the preference for professionally prepared meals (22%).
Not surprisingly, turkey is set to be the main dish for 87% of respondents, while 39% choose ham as an alternative. Popular side dishes include stuffing (68%), mashed potatoes (60%), macaroni and cheese (42%), sweet potatoes (42%), and green beans (41%). Interestingly, a notable portion of consumers, 31%, indicated they have even indulged in fast food for their Thanksgiving meals in the past.
To assist those still undecided about their Thanksgiving plans, Popmenu offers a few practical tips. First, consumers should explore their dining options by checking the websites of their favorite restaurants for menus, special promotions, and customer reviews. Additionally, ordering directly from restaurant websites as early as possible can help ensure that diners secure their orders and preferred pickup times without incurring third-party delivery fees. Staying updated on reservation openings via platforms like OpenTable can also be beneficial.
Brendan Sweeney, CEO and Co-founder of Popmenu, remarked, "Ordering in or dining out for Thanksgiving is becoming a new tradition for consumers who just want to relax and enjoy a meal rather than taking on the responsibility of cooking for the family day." He noted the significant fiscal impact restaurants are seeing, with some reporting pre-orders reaching as high as $50,000, highlighting the economic shift towards convenience this holiday season.
Looking forward, the 2024 holiday season doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Anticipation is growing for Christmas with 28% of consumers expected to order from or dine at restaurants, while 35% plan to do the same for New Year’s Eve. All these insights are derived from an anonymous national survey conducted by Popmenu among 1,000 U.S. consumers aged 18 and older between November 17 and 18, 2024. As the focus shifts toward streamlined solutions for family gatherings, restaurants are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping how consumers celebrate this holiday season.
Popmenu, a leading force in restaurant technology, aims to support the industry's growth by providing tools that enhance digital marketing, streamline online ordering, and optimize in-house technologies enriched with AI and data analytics. With its mission, Popmenu has become an essential hub for over 10,000 independent restaurants and hospitality groups across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. More information can be found at popmenu.com.
Topics Consumer Products & Retail）
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