Americans Are Eating Out Less — And Cooking More At Home

Across the U.S., fewer people are eating out. Whether it’s the cost of dining, health preferences, or simply rediscovering the comfort of home-cooked meals, Americans are turning away from restaurants and back to their kitchens. 

Dining Out Less Frequently 

Restaurant dining is becoming more of an occasional treat rather than an everyday convenience. According to data shared by several major food companies, many households—especially those with middle and lower incomes—are cutting back on eating out altogether. 

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, roughly 87% of meals were prepared at home. While that figure dropped slightly after lockdowns ended, it still remains high — around 86% today. 
The key driver? Cost. 

Restaurant meals are now 4.3x more expensive than eating at home — up from 3.7x in 2019. Grocery inflation has slowed to around 3.6%, while restaurant prices have climbed over 8% in the last two years. 

Kroger, the nation’s largest supermarket chain, recently noted that customers are “feeling stressed about the economy” and choosing to eat more meals at home. The same pattern is being seen by companies like Campbell’s and General Mills, which have reported increased sales of home staples like soups, broths, and pasta sauces.