Americans, Planning on Dining out More, Turn to Savvy Money-Saving Strategies: Doggy Bags, Happy Hours and Value Meals Surge in Popularity

Rhea-AI Summary

A recent survey by Lightspeed Commerce reveals that 81% of Americans are dining out at least once a month, with 39% dining out weekly. Consumers are adopting money-saving strategies, such as using doggy bags (45%), opting for value meals (39%), and taking advantage of happy hour deals (36%).

Despite inflation affecting tipping habits, 58% feel pressured to tip more than they'd like, while 44% say inflation impacts their tipping ability. Moreover, 89% prefer physical menus over QR codes, with older demographics showing stronger resistance to digital menus.

Lightspeed surveyed over 7,500 dining consumers worldwide, including 1,500 U.S. respondents. The survey aims to understand evolving dining trends amid rising costs. Restaurants are encouraged to adapt to these trends to maintain customer satisfaction and repeat visits.

Positive

• 51% of respondents will either continue to dine out at the same rate or increase dining out in the next six months.
• Consumers are finding creative ways to save money, which may lead to increased dining frequency despite rising costs.
• Doggy bag usage (45%) indicates that customers are keen on maximizing value, which can boost customer satisfaction.

Negative

• 69% of diners report higher meal prices.
• 39% observe 'shrinkflation' in their favorite dishes.
• 58% feel pressured to tip more than they prefer due to digital auto-tipping prompts.
• 44% state that inflation has affected their ability to tip.
• 89% of respondents prefer physical menus, indicating resistance to QR code menus.

• 81% of Americans are dining out once a month or more, with 39% dining out once a week or more.
• Money-saving hacks include grabbing a doggy bag (45%), opting for value meals (39%), and taking advantage of happy hour deals (36%).
• Consumers are reaching the tipping point with 58% feeling the pressure to tip, while 44% saying inflation has affected their ability to do so.
• QR menu codes face strong resistance: approximately nine in ten (89%) prefer physical menus, 34% 'hate' QR versions.

MONTREAL, June 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - With dining costs on the rise, Americans are getting creative to save a few bucks when eating out, according to the latest research from Lightspeed Commerce Inc. (NYSE: LSPD) (TSX: LSPD) ("Lightspeed"), the one-stop commerce platform empowering merchants to provide the best omnichannel experiences.

Lightspeed surveyed more than 7,500 dining consumers globally, with 1,500 respondents in the U.S. to better understand how dining trends have evolved in the past year. Some good news for restaurants on the horizon: 51% of respondents said they will either continue to dine out at the same rate, or increase going out in the next six months. That being said, consumers are certainly looking at how best to stretch their dollar, as seven in ten (69%) diners report higher meal prices, and four in ten (39%) notice their favorite dishes are shrinking in size—a phenomenon commonly referred to as 'shrinkflation.'

Dining Out on a Budget

With 81% of respondents dining out at least once a month, and 39% dining out once a week or more, Americans are looking for ways to continue to keep dining fun and affordable, and pulling out all the stops. A savvy 43% are hunting for deals with coupons, 39% are choosing value meals, and 36% are making the most of happy hour specials.

Doggy bags are back in vogue! Nearly half (45%) of respondents are not shy about asking to box up their food to stretch their dining dollars. Interestingly, 53% of women compared to 38% of men are more likely to enjoy a second meal with the leftovers. Older Americans, particularly those aged 55 or older, are similarly inclined, with 53% taking doggy bags home. Diners in Los Angeles appear more conscious about food waste, with 51% requesting leftovers to go.

"Value is certainly top of mind for restaurant diners at the moment," said Dax Dasilva, CEO and Founder of Lightspeed. "Restaurateurs need to adapt to an environment of cost-savings, but also perceived value. Customers don't want to sacrifice the experience of dining out, they still want to feel like they are treating themselves. Keeping this in mind encourages repeat visits, and a better overall customer experience."

The Tipping Point

Tipping continues to be a hot topic in the quest to save money when dining out. A whopping 73% of diners are not fans of auto-tipping prompts on digital screens, with 58% saying they feel pressured to tip more than they'd like—often to avoid appearing stingy or cheap.

Inflation has affected the amount diners are willing to tip, according to 44% of survey respondents and more than half (55%) in the 18-34 age group. That being said, the majority of restaurant-goers remain generous tippers. 38% said they prefer to tip between 16-20%, with 34% opting for 10-15% and 13% tipping 21% and above.

Interestingly, for scenarios outside of the normal tipping etiquette, survey respondents were overwhelmingly supportive of tipping delivery drivers (61%), while coffee shops (28%) and ordering at the counter (19%) fell short.

QR Codes and Menus Don't Mix

The backlash against QR code menus is palpable. While 20% of respondents appreciate their hygiene benefits, nearly nine in ten (89%) would rather flip through a physical menu, especially at fine dining spots where this jumps to 94%. Some 34% say they downright 'hate' QR code menus, and a quarter (25%) grumble that the text on digital menus is just too tiny to read.

The disdain for QR codes is more pronounced among the older generation, with 62% of those aged 65 and above requesting a paper or printed menu when presented with a QR code by a server. Additionally, 32% admit to not being tech-savvy enough to navigate QR code menus.

"Technology on its own, does not necessarily provide a better customer experience," said Dasilva. "Restaurants should think holistically about how best to integrate customer preference and technological innovation to create a unique dining experience. The use of QR codes is not inherently negative. They can be extremely useful in the case of at table payments, or quick ordering; it's more about understanding the use cases that work than applying a catch-all solution. By staying adaptable and responsive to changing consumer preferences, restaurants can not only survive but also thrive in the current landscape."

To learn more about lightspeed, visit www.lightspeedhq.com.

Methodology

Lightspeed initiated a consumer survey throughout May 2024 using third party survey vendor Medallia. Over 7,500 responses were collected globally, distributed amongst the following countries: Canada (1,500 respondents), United States (1,500 respondents), United Kingdom (1,000 respondents), Germany (1,000 respondents), France (1,000 respondents), Netherlands (1,000 respondents) and Belgium (1,000 respondents). Respondents were required to be over the age of 18, and have attended a sit-down restaurant within the last six months. All responses collected were anonymously.

About Lightspeed

Powering the businesses that are the backbone of the global economy, Lightspeed's one-stop commerce platform helps merchants innovate to simplify, scale, and provide exceptional omnichannel customer experiences. Our cloud commerce solution transforms and unifies online and physical operations, multichannel sales, expansion to new locations, global payments, financial solutions, and connection to supplier networks.

Founded in Montréal, Canada in 2005, Lightspeed is dual-listed on the New York Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange (NYSE: LSPD) (TSX: LSPD). With teams across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, the company serves retail, hospitality, and golf businesses in over 100 countries.

For more information, see www.lightspeedhq.com.

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Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may include forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions and are identified by words such as "will", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates" or similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Such statements are based on current expectations of Lightspeed's management and inherently involve numerous risks and uncertainties, known and unknown, including economic factors. A number of risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this news release, including, among other factors, those risk factors identified in our most recent Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, under "Risk Factors" in our most recent Annual Information Form, and in our other filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, all of which are available under our profiles on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned to consider these and other factors carefully when making decisions with respect to Lightspeed's subordinate voting shares and not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are not guarantees of future performance and, while forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions that Lightspeed considers reasonable, actual events and results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements made by Lightspeed. Except as may be expressly required by applicable law, Lightspeed does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE Lightspeed Commerce Inc.

FAQ

How often are Americans dining out according to the Lightspeed survey?

81% of Americans are dining out at least once a month, with 39% dining out weekly.

What money-saving strategies are Americans using when dining out?

Consumers are using doggy bags (45%), opting for value meals (39%), and taking advantage of happy hour deals (36%).

How has inflation affected tipping habits in the U.S.?

44% of diners say inflation has affected their ability to tip, and 58% feel pressured to tip more due to digital auto-tipping prompts.

What are the preferences of diners regarding QR code menus?

89% of respondents prefer physical menus over QR code menus, with stronger resistance among older demographics.

What percentage of respondents reported higher meal prices?

69% of diners report that meal prices have increased.

What is 'shrinkflation' and how many diners have noticed it?

Shrinkflation refers to the reduction in size of dishes, and 39% of diners have noticed this phenomenon.