No More Lunches Out?

Americans ate lunch at restaurants 433 million fewer times last year.

May 31, 2017

CHICAGO – Lunch out is dying a slow, painful death. Last year, Americans went to restaurants at lunchtime 433 million fewer times—the lowest lunch traffic level in at least 40 years, according to NPD Group. The 2% drop from 2015 in lunchtime meals has significantly impacted the U.S. restaurant industry, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Part of the problem is shifting consumer focus from taking an hour out of the office to eating at their desks to be more productive. Another factor is the widening gap between the cost of a restaurant meal and brown bagging it. But that’s not to say workers are forgoing restaurant meals—many have switched to ordering takeout. Also contributing is the continued popularity of online shopping, which means less foot traffic at malls—and fewer lunches out while shopping.

Hardest hit have been casual sit-down chains, like Applebee’s and Ruby Tuesday. Even suppliers are feeling the pinch. “Consumers are buying fresh foods, from supermarkets, and eating them at home as a replacement for eating out,” said Tom Hayes, CEO of Tyson Foods.

Restaurants have begun offering delivery, quicker service and scaling down portions in attempts to woo back customers. Some restaurant chains also have begun touting lunch specials, which can often be less than quick service meals, such as Chili’s Grill & Bar’s lunches for $6 and Olive Garden’s $6.99 specials.

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