Glistening ham, perfectly charred candied yams, and a metric ton of fragrant stuffing have long been among the standard home-cooked fare of the holidays. But our holiday habits are evolving, and while you might still take out the good China, it could end up sharing the table with some take-out containers.
No matter the generation, Americans are changing their habits and routines around holiday dining. In this deep dive into holiday dining statistics, we discover just how rapidly those changes are occurring and where they might go next. Let’s explore!
More People Plan to Eat Out or Order In for the Holidays Than Ever Before
There’s no denying that preparing a large meal for your extended family is a lot of work. Planning ahead and shopping while stores are crowded, let alone the prep work to prepare mashed potatoes, desserts, and stuffing for 14 people, can be a burden and a huge expense.
In response, many people are mixing up their former family traditions and choosing a different path. Consumer surveys from the National Restaurant Association in 2022 showed that just over half of people planned to outsource some or all of their holiday cooking.
But it’s not just about bringing precooked food home. A surprising 57% of those consumers surveyed said they planned to eat out at a restaurant for their main holiday meal.
US Foods, a national foodservice distributor, reports that Americans eat out at restaurants on average three times per month, and order takeout delivery 4.5 times per month. And over 65% of Americans say they eat out at least once per week.
Interestingly, those National Restaurant Association consumer surveys also indicate that your likelihood of ordering out during the holidays may be influenced by your age. Gen Z’ers and Millenials are less likely to be attached to the traditional sit-down homemade meal than their Gen X or Baby Boomer counterparts.
Fifty-two percent of Baby Boomers, 54% of Gen X’ers, 59% of millennials, and 63% of Gen Z’ers plan to order their whole holiday meal as dine-in or takeout.
Dining or Ordering out for the Holidays by Generation
| Generation | % Dining or Ordering Out |
|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | 52% |
| Generation X (1965-1980) | 54% |
| Millennials (1981-1996) | 59% |
| Gen Z (1997-2012) | 63% |
(source)
What Holiday Dishes Do People Want to Avoid Preparing?
So, when it comes to holiday dining, what exactly do people want to outsource?
Well, more than half of the people surveyed said they would prefer to order out everything from main courses (89%) to the whole meal (66%). Eighty-six percent said they would rather order out for side dishes, 74% for appetizers, and 63% for desserts, like pies.
Holiday Dishes US Consumers Would Prefer to Order Out:
| The main course | 89% |
| Side dishes | 86% |
| Appetizers | 74% |
| A whole meal | 66% |
| Desserts | 63% |
(source)
Though more than half would like help with dessert, it’s still the smallest number on this list; it looks like many people still prefer traditional family dessert recipes over store-bought versions!
Consumers believe that eating out at a restaurant during the holidays would reduce the stress of food prep and clean up so they can spend more time with loved ones.
Why Do People Choose Dining Out During the Holidays?
It’s not hard to guess why people might want to eat in a restaurant or rely on catering services or takeout during the holidays. Preparing a lot of food, especially if you’re not comfortable in the kitchen, can be a lot of work. But there are other reasons people choose to forgo preparing a feast at home.
Reasons People Choose to Dine Out During the Holidays
| Want to support local businesses | 88% |
| Reduce stress | 82% |
| More time to connect with family and friends/less time on dishes | 72% |
(source)
One of the most surprising reasons cited in a National Restaurant Association survey was that people wanted to support local businesses during the holidays (88%).
Allowing a restaurant to handle the holiday meal lets people spend more time connecting with their guests.
Besides these obvious benefits, another reason people choose dining out for holiday meals like Thanksgiving or New Year’s included food costs. The USDA reported that most foods and ingredients increased in price in 2022-23, including everything from poultry (+2%) to fats and oils (+8.5%). Though restaurants are also feeling the pressure of increased food supply prices, they may offer discounts and meal packages during the holiday season that still make it a better deal to eat out than to cook for your family.
Other reasons people expressed a desire to eat out for the holidays included reducing the overall workload for the holidays and having a neutral place for family to gather.
How Much Do People Plan to Spend on Holiday Meals Out?
According to U.S. Foods, Americans spend an average of $166 per person per month dining out at restaurants. Fifty percent of people only spend $10-$20 each time they eat out, while 24% spend $21-$30, 11% spend $31-$40, and 15% spend $41 and up. How does this compare to what people are willing to spend on holiday meals at restaurants?
Despite food costs being a reason people may choose to have a restaurant or caterer handle their holiday meal, of people surveyed in September 2024 about their holiday dining preferences, 27% of respondents said they would be willing to spend 25%-49% more for their meal. An even larger percentage of respondents said they would be willing to spend 10%-24% more.
Average US Consumer Dining Out Expenditure per Month
| $10-$20 | 50% |
| $21-$30 | 24% |
| $31-$40 | 11% |
| $41 and up | 15% |
(source)
If most people are generally spending $11-$30 per person on a meal out, this means they would be willing to spend anywhere from $12-$45 per person on a special holiday meal.
How Much More Money Do Restaurants Make During the Holidays?
With consumers generally willing to splurge on holiday meals, restaurants can generally expect a slight increase in sales and profit between November 1 and December 25. For example, at the end of 2023, MasterCard reported that restaurants had an increase of 7.8% in sales compared to the previous year. This can come from holiday meals, catering, gift certificates, and sale of goodies, like desserts, sauces, or side dishes.
Which Holiday Foods are Consumer Favorites?
Though you might think that whole turkeys are the preferred holiday food, the giant birds aren’t the very top favorite. According to a 2020 survey by YouGov, it turns out that roasted potatoes (76%) or mashed potatoes (75%) are the most popular, ahead of roasted turkey (73%) at slot number three.
Many people plan to order just some of their holiday meal as take out, such as a main dish or a dessert.
These top three are followed by bread or rolls, stuffing, and then prime rib, roast beef, steak, chicken, pork, and ham.
What Types of Restaurants Do US Diners Prefer?
When it comes to choosing where to eat on the holidays, the type of restaurant or cuisine is less important than location and a pre-existing relationship. Ninety-four of people surveyed who planned to go out to eat for the holidays said they would choose a restaurant that was close to home. And for a special holiday meal, 81% plan to eat at a restaurant they normally eat at. This suggests that as a restaurant owner, you should spend your holiday advertising dollars close to home.
Holiday Travel and Dining Trends
It’s certainly common to travel during the holidays to visit family. But an increasing percentage of US consumers also plan to travel during the holidays to explore unique culinary experiences. Thirty-eight percent of survey respondents told MMGY, a luxury travel brand, that they planned to travel during the holiday season.
According to Google, the top five travel destinations for Thanksgiving are Orlando, Cancun, New York, Tokyo, and London, while the top five for Christmas and New Year’s are Tokyo, Orlando, Cancun, Miami, and New York.
Top 5 Travel Destinations for US Consumers for Thanksgiving and Christmas
| Thanksgiving | Christmas |
|---|---|
| Orlando | Tokyo |
| Cancun | Orlando |
| New York | Cancun |
| Tokyo | Miami |
| London | New York |
(source)
No matter where you travel, if you want a traditional holiday dinner, you can certainly find one. But you can also explore local cuisine and do something different for a change.
How Big Will Your Holiday Dining-Out Party Be?
Of course, a variety of factors will influence how many of your family might join you for a dinner out for Thanksgiving or other special holiday meal. The size of your family, how many family members live close or plan to travel to be with you, or what kind of budget you have to spend on your holiday meal can all factor into how big your party will be. But a 2023 survey indicates that 37% of people will have parties of 6-10 people, while another 39% expect to have parties of 3-5 people. Just under 10% of people expect to have parties of 10 or more.
Expected Party Size While Dining Out for the Holidays
| 1-2 People | 10% |
| 3-5 People | 39% |
| 6-10 People | 37% |
| More than 10 People | 9% |
(source)
What Do These Holiday Dining Statistics Mean for Restaurants?
If you’re a restaurant owner or caterer, it can really pay off to prepare for the holiday season. With a little forethought, you can find creative ways to meet your customers’ needs in ways that provide them with extra convenience or luxury.
For example, if there’s something your restaurant already makes that could be a good addition to a holiday meal, like a gravy, sauce, or side dish, package it up for sale.
If your restaurant already has a specialty sauce or easily packaged item, like gravy, consider selling it during the holidays.
Does your restaurant normally do catering alongside your regular service menu? Reach out to local offices to let them know that you can cater their holiday parties.
Another important way to ensure your business can take advantage of the holidays is to make sure your customers know about your holiday offers. Turn up the dial on your holiday advertising in local newspapers, free papers, and radio. Offer clearcut deals and menus for holiday planning. September isn’t too early to start planning! You want to make sure your advertising reaches your customers before and during the time they’re planning their menu.
And of course, don’t forget to decorate. Add lights, sparkles, greenery, and music. A festive décor helps people who are dining out feel like your establishment is worth the cost. You could even hire carol singers, or other live musicians to further enhance the vibes.
How Should Diners Best Take Advantage of Holiday Dining?
On the other hand, if you’re one of the fifty-two to sixty-three percent of people who plan to dine out for the holidays, here are some tips to keep in mind when making your holiday dining decisions.
Make a Reservation Early
Many restaurants don’t stay open during the holidays, especially on specific holidays, like Christmas Eve or New Year’s Day. This means there is more pressure on the restaurants that are actually open. If you make your reservations well in advance, you have a better chance at getting a spot at your preferred restaurant.
Manage Your Expectations
Restaurants may offer a special or prix fixe menu for their holiday meals, or may run out of things during their holiday rush times. Make sure you know what they’re offering and don’t be disappointed if they aren’t offering your regular dish.
Realize that the restaurant may be extra busy during holiday mealtimes. Expect slower than usual service, and be sure and tip your waitstaff generously. Restaurants may charge a premium above their normal prices to handle extra costs during special holiday meals, so be sure to ask about pricing when you make your reservation so you’re not surprised.
Be Especially Kind to Your Host and Waitstaff
Any business that serves customers during the holidays is busier than usual. This means employees of most service jobs, including restaurants, are under more stress than usual. You can help create a positive environment by being punctual for your reservation. This helps the restaurant be able to fulfill the promises they’ve made to you and other patrons.
Stress levels can run high during the holidays. Make sure to be kind to your waitperson.
Also, be aware that anything, from the menu, your preferred table, or availability of ingredients may change at a moment’s notice. Do your best to be flexible with the restaurant staff, and trust they are doing their best to serve you during a busy time. And don’t forget to leave an extra generous tip if you can for the people serving you, as they are working on a holiday.
Find Your Role in the Restaurant Industry
If providing holiday dishes for worn-out family cooks sounds like an interesting career choice for you, consider exploring how a degree or diploma from Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts can help you find your food service niche.
Our programs in Food Entrepreneurship or Hospitality and Restaurant Operations Management could provide you with the skills and experience you need to begin working in catering kitchens, or even open your own business.
