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Andrew Gombert / EPA
Chain restaurants are faring better than indepdendents lately.
Think of the last time you went out to eat, and be honest: Did you chow down at a favorite locally owned haunt, or opt for the familiarity of a chain restaurant?
A new report from market researchers NPD Group finds that overall, Americans are eating out less than few years ago, as the weak economy has caused people to cut back on such splurges. Total restaurant visits have fallen every year since 2008, from 62.7 billion restaurant visits that year to 60.6 billion in 2011.
The cutbacks have hit mom-and-pop restaurants much harder than chains. The NPD Group data shows that independent restaurants now account for 27 percent of restaurant visits, down from 28 percent in 2008.
When business falls, closures are inevitable. Although the number of independent restaurants increased slightly between 2008 and 2009, many independent restaurateurs have since had to throw in the towel.
In the past two years, NPD reports that the number of independent restaurants in the U.S. has fallen by 8,652. In that same two-year period, the number of chain restaurants has increased by 1,750.
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Go out to eat? Heck, you can't even get out of Wendy's with a family of four for less than $30. McDonald's combo meals now only include two items, so it costs even more to eat there. As for casual chains and local restaurants, you're looking at $40 or more, easily.
@dman1115: Dollar menus are you friend. When I travel for business, I get a per diem, usually on the order of ~$50-60 per day for meals and incidentals, but by eating from the dollar menu and drinking water, I can eat for $10 or less per day.
I haven't eaten at a fast food restaurant in many years. I've found that going to the independent restaurants the healthier way to go. Additionally, I've found that many organizations like the VFW, American Legion, Elks, etc., often have dinners open to the public that are inexpensive and most times quite good. Many of those also may have entertainment during or right after dinner. There is a lot of options for eating out and they do not have to be expensive.
well around me, it's the opposite. The McD's burger will have less calorie's and be healthier than Mom and Pops.
I think some of you are confusing chain with fast-food. I'm pretty sure by chain restaurants they mean places like Olive Garden, TGIF, Applebee's, Red Lobster, etc....fast food is McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King, Taco Bell...please know the difference!
We eat out regularly (1-2 times per week), but try to avoid fast food places. No point paying for worse food than we can make ourselves. Fortunately we are both employed and and 80-100$ extra per week for a good restaurant is still well within our budget.
Thanks to Obama's recovery summer, I eat out less, drive less and have cancelled HBO. We can't afford another 4 years of this yokel and his free spending wife who, oddly enough, has had to sacrifice NOTHING when it comes to blowing our hard earned dollars.
EAT OUT? i just want to be able to eat.
I try to eat at mom & pop restaurants, but it's hard some times. Last week, I stopped at a family-owned Mexican restaurant in West Jefferson , NC. After being seated, I waited for 25 minutes and the waiter never returned to take my order, and I walked out. I don't think the restaurant will stay in business long.
This data seems wrong. Chains here in Florida are more expensive than local food. We went to Carrabas (am I allowed to name them here?) the other day and it was 50 bucks for 2 people! What the frack?? We only went because we had a gift certificate but still....