Popmenu Study: US Consumers Adjust Dining Habits to Stretch Dollars
American consumers are employing new strategies to manage restaurant spending amid financial pressures, according to a recent Popmenu study. These shifts include opting for tap water and ordering children's meals for adults.
U.S. consumers are actively changing their dining habits to navigate financial constraints, with weekly restaurant spending averaging $100, up from $90 in February but still below the $115 seen in June 2025. Two-thirds of consumers report spending less on restaurants compared to last year, as they seek ways to dine out while adhering to their budgets.
Cost-saving tactics include reducing alcohol purchases, choosing takeout over delivery, dining earlier, and drinking tap water. Some consumers are also ordering children's meals for adults and more frequently patronizing quick-service, fast-casual, and casual dining establishments. A significant trend is the reduction in tipping, which is impacting the restaurant sector.
Additionally, the study found that 60% of consumers are open to restaurants utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance service, from customer interaction to food preparation. Consumers also prioritize digital presence, with 80% using search engines to find restaurants and 94% preferring to order directly from a restaurant's website.
Popmenu, a restaurant technology provider serving over 12,000 restaurants globally, based its findings on three national surveys conducted in February, May, and July 2026, involving 3,000 U.S. consumers. The research highlights a consumer demand for value and convenience, suggesting that restaurants may need to focus on competitive pricing and enhanced digital experiences to maintain customer loyalty.