Is takeout now America’s favorite way to dine?
A recent survey by U.S. Foods, the Rosemont, Illinois-based food service distribution giant, seems to support that conclusion. Their research, presented as “The Diner Dispatch: 2023 American Dining Habits,” suggests that pandemic practices of relying on takeout and delivery seem to have become deeply engrained consumer behavior.
In a survey of more than 1,000 individuals conducted in December 2022, 57% of those polled reported that they prefer ordering takeout over going out to a restaurant. Among the reasons reported for that takeout preference were “the convenience factor,” “the ability to watch TV or movies,” and the option of wearing comfortable clothes rather than having to dress up to go out. Survey respondents reported that they ordered takeout 4.5 times a month, but only dined out in restaurants around three times a month.
