General Discussion

perdita9

(1,299 posts) Sat Aug 30, 2025, 06:26 AM Saturday

The Dining at a Restaurant Index

My husband and I are retired and go out to eat most Friday nights, typically at a family-friendly place. We go early, but have noticed that, no matter the place, it's barely half full.

Not many couples sitting down to eat, fewer large tables of families. The cost of dining out has gone up so that may explain the empty tables but I'm wondering if others have noticed this trend. (We live in eastern Pennsylvania, near the New Jersey border.)

2 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

The Dining at a Restaurant Index (Original Post) perdita9 Saturday OP

Lots of people get restaurant food delivered jmowreader Saturday #1

Am industry, can confirm it's pretty grim. sir pball Saturday #2

jmowreader

(52,642 posts)

1. Lots of people get restaurant food delivered

Reply to perdita9 (Original post)

Sat Aug 30, 2025, 07:33 AM

Saturday

It’s not just restaurants: there’s a convenience store a block from my house that ships via Uber Eats and DoorDash.

sir pball

(5,076 posts)

2. Am industry, can confirm it's pretty grim.

Reply to perdita9 (Original post)

Sat Aug 30, 2025, 08:36 AM

Saturday

I'm currently in DC so it's extra-horrible here, reservations are down by close to 50% vs. the same time last year, but I have colleagues across the country, from NYC to Savannah to Miami to Chicago to Seattle to San Diego, and they're all seeing a significant drop in business as well. It's not quite as bad as 2020 but that's not saying much.

Reply to this discussion