Pull up a chair! We asked National Consumer Panel members about their dining habits, from favorite restaurants and must-have appetizers to special occasion splurges and sweet treats. Take a look at what’s on the menu and see how your dining style compares!

How often do you dine out at a restaurant?
– Sometimes 45%
– Rarely 34%
– Frequently 17%
– Never 4%

Which meal do you usually eat out?
– Dinner 57%
– Lunch 24%
– Breakfast 13%
– Brunch 6%

On which days do you most often dine out?
– Saturday 33%
– Friday 22%
– Thursday 13%
– Wednesday 12%
– Sunday 11%
– Other 9%

What type of cuisine is your go-to?
– American 28%
– Mexican 18%
– Steakhouse 15%
– Italian 12%
– Seafood 10%
– Other (Asian, Mediterranean, BBQ, vegetarian 17%

What matters most when choosing a restaurant?
– Great food 68%
– Good prices 26%
– Service 4%
– Atmosphere 2%

What most influences your choice?
– Recommendations 37%
– Budget 25%
– Location 21%
– Passing by 9%
– Reviews 7%
– Other 1%

When you dine out, how do you pick your meal?
– Whatever looks good 40%
– A favorite dish 39%
– Something new 9%
– Signature dish 7%
– Chef’s special 5%

What’s the hardest thing to resist at a restaurant?
– Bread & chips 44%
– Appetizers 25%
– Desserts 23%
– Drinks 8%

How often do you order appetizers?
– Rarely 40%
– Sometimes 36%
– Most times 13%
– Never 7%
– Always 4%

How often do you order dessert?
– Rarely 52%
– Sometimes 25%
– Never 16%
– Most times 5%
– Always 2%

Where do you usually celebrate special occasions?
– Casual, sit-down restaurants 52%
– Local restaurant 21%
– Fine dining restaurant 20%
– Buffet 7%

Why do you choose not to dine out more often?
– Too expensive 42%
– Prefer homemade meals 24%
– Takeout instead 12%
– Dietary needs 11%
– Don’t enjoy it 7%
– Not convenient 4%

That’s it for this edition of In The Know! What do you think of the survey results from our panel members? I’d love to hear about your dining habits, leave me a comment and let me know how your habits compare!

Regards,
Taylor

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