Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2023
Media Contacts:
New Survey: National Restaurant Association Finds Majority of Adults Plan to Dine Out This Holiday Season
Data highlighted in the NRA’s “Let Restaurants Do the Cooking” campaign shows most adults would rather spend time with friends and family than in the kitchen
Data highlighted in the NRA’s “Let Restaurants Do the Cooking” campaign shows most adults would rather spend time with friends and family than in the kitchen
LANSING, Mich. - Diners are choosing restaurants to fulfill their culinary needs this holiday season, according to new data shared by the National Restaurant Association as part of its “Let Restaurants Do the Cooking” campaign. The NRA’s survey found that 63 percent of adults plan to eat out during the next few weeks, and 48 percent plan to order takeout or delivery.
“The holidays are a wonderful time for Michigan families and friends to gather, celebrate and share a delicious meal from a local restaurant,” said Justin Winslow, President and CEO of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association. “This year’s research further confirms the hospitality industry’s important role in these special experiences by allowing people to spend more time with family and friends, and less time worrying about cooking, cleaning and heading to the grocery store.”
This season, diners recognize the value of letting the country’s hospitality industry elevate their at-home dining experiences. An impressive 66 percent of those choosing to order in will entrust the entire meal to their favorite local establishment. A significant number also rely on these businesses for main courses (89 percent), sides (86 percent), appetizers (74 percent), and desserts (63 percent).
According to the NRA’s 2024 What’s Hot Culinary Forecast, which surveyed 1,500 culinary professionals, diners want to want to try new foods, but in a way that’s recognizable, comforting, and communal. Restaurant owners, operators and chefs should also look to social-media trends when putting together their holiday main courses this year. For millennials planning to order out this holiday season, the majority (91 percent) said they were most likely to purchase the main course from a restaurant.
Why and how consumers choose to dine out this season differs by generation:
· 82 percent of millennials point to the importance of takeout or delivery options when choosing a restaurant as compared to a little more than half 53 percent of baby boomers.
· Millennials are the most likely to use a restaurant over the holidays to avoid grocery shopping during busy times (75 percent), surprisingly beating out Gen Z (65 percent). Baby boomers are the least likely to factor in grocery shopping (57 percent).
· Overall, baby boomers are the least likely to let restaurants do their cooking (72 percent) over the holidays whereas Gen Z (86 percent) are the most likely to go out or order in.
The National Restaurant Association conducted an online survey of 1,010 adults nationwide November 10-12, 2023.
“The holidays are a wonderful time for Michigan families and friends to gather, celebrate and share a delicious meal from a local restaurant,” said Justin Winslow, President and CEO of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association. “This year’s research further confirms the hospitality industry’s important role in these special experiences by allowing people to spend more time with family and friends, and less time worrying about cooking, cleaning and heading to the grocery store.”
This season, diners recognize the value of letting the country’s hospitality industry elevate their at-home dining experiences. An impressive 66 percent of those choosing to order in will entrust the entire meal to their favorite local establishment. A significant number also rely on these businesses for main courses (89 percent), sides (86 percent), appetizers (74 percent), and desserts (63 percent).
According to the NRA’s 2024 What’s Hot Culinary Forecast, which surveyed 1,500 culinary professionals, diners want to want to try new foods, but in a way that’s recognizable, comforting, and communal. Restaurant owners, operators and chefs should also look to social-media trends when putting together their holiday main courses this year. For millennials planning to order out this holiday season, the majority (91 percent) said they were most likely to purchase the main course from a restaurant.
Why and how consumers choose to dine out this season differs by generation:
· 82 percent of millennials point to the importance of takeout or delivery options when choosing a restaurant as compared to a little more than half 53 percent of baby boomers.
· Millennials are the most likely to use a restaurant over the holidays to avoid grocery shopping during busy times (75 percent), surprisingly beating out Gen Z (65 percent). Baby boomers are the least likely to factor in grocery shopping (57 percent).
· Overall, baby boomers are the least likely to let restaurants do their cooking (72 percent) over the holidays whereas Gen Z (86 percent) are the most likely to go out or order in.
The National Restaurant Association conducted an online survey of 1,010 adults nationwide November 10-12, 2023.
About the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice and lodging community. Founded in 1921 as the Michigan Restaurant Association and now known as the MRLA, the Association represents over 5,500 Michigan foodservice and lodging establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 450,000 people and creating nearly $44.6 billion in annual sales. For more information, visit www.mrla.org and www.detroitrla.org.
Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice and lodging community. Founded in 1921 as the Michigan Restaurant Association and now known as the MRLA, the Association represents over 5,500 Michigan foodservice and lodging establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 450,000 people and creating nearly $44.6 billion in annual sales. For more information, visit www.mrla.org and www.detroitrla.org.
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