Diners Have Spoken: OpenTable Announces the Top 100 Restaurants for 2022

This year, restaurants became much more than just a place to grab a meal – but instead, the perfect backdrop for socializing, a way to connect with the local community and an escape from too much time spent at home. OpenTable is revealing diners' most beloved spots to do just that via the Top 100 Restaurants in America for 2022, curated for diners, by diners, from over 13 million reviews.

The list comes as OpenTable data for 2022 shows diners are willing to spend on memorable dining experiences... 

ezCater Survey Reveals Free Meals Help Retain Hard-Working Employees During the Busy Holiday Season

The holiday season is here, and 4 out of 5 (84%) onsite workers at stores, warehouses, factories, call centers, and transit hubs anticipate working overtime this holiday season, according to a recent survey by ezCater. The National Retail Federation expects retailers will hire between 450,000 and 600,000 seasonal workers in 2022. With the unemployment rate hovering around a 50-year low, the competition for talent is fierce.

ezCater, the most trusted provider of corporate food solutions, recently surveyed over 1,100 onsite workers across a variety...

Farm Bureau: Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Up 20%

Farm Bureau's 37th annual survey reveals the average cost of this year's classic Thanksgiving feast for 10 is $64.05, less than $6.50 per person. This is a $10.74 or 20% increase from last year's average of $53.31.

The centerpiece on most Thanksgiving tables – the turkey – costs more than last year, at $28.96 for a 16-pound bird. That's $1.81 per pound, up 21% from last year, due to several factors beyond general inflation. Farm Bureau "volunteer shoppers" checked prices Oct. 18-31, before most grocery store chains... 

In-N-Out Burger Wins Consumer Favor in Market Force Information's New Study

In-N-Out Burger has topped the competition for best burger experience in a Quick Serve Restaurant (QSR) according to Market Force Information's new 2022 QSR / Fast Casual Study.

Market Force surveyed 5,173 consumers about their most recent restaurant experience to understand how 53 of America's top brands performed when it comes to customer satisfaction and why.

The study ranks restaurants on a variety of factors and then compares brands across categories of cuisines.

"This year, In-N-Out Burger ranked supreme in the burger category..."

Canadians Unwilling to Give up Dining out, Vacation, & Streaming TV Service Despite Strong Inflation

A new Service Line Warranties of Canada (SLWC) survey of Canadian homeowners examined the impact inflation is having on the Canadian home with almost 90% of respondents reporting that inflation is impacting their household budget. More than 60% said that the higher prices that have resulted from inflation has caused them to put off home repairs, renovations or upgrades.

The survey also looked at what Canadians are most willing to give up – or conversely, least willing – to help balance their budgets. Dining out, vacation, and streaming...

Consumers Plan to Do More Holiday Shopping In Stores Than Online, Reports NPD

Consumers have relied more on e-commerce since the pandemic began, but that’s changing this year

The number of consumers planning to shop online for the holidays fell from 85% last year to 80% this year, which is the largest ever shift favoring stores, according to the annual holiday purchase intentions survey from The NPD Group. This is also the first year, since before the pandemic, that consumers expect to make more of their holiday purchases in stores (46%) than online (45%). Checkout receipt-based insights from...

HelloFresh Launches The Pass Master

While 91% of Americans are looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving with loved ones this year*, some look at the holiday as a time to stir up more than cranberry sauce at the dinner table. To help with the unavoidable political debate from your uncle or the not-so-discreet questions about marriage or children from your nana, HelloFresh, the world’s leading meal kit company, is launching a limited-edition product – The Pass Master by HelloFresh.

The Pass Master by HelloFresh

This one-of-a-kind centerpiece features a working conveyor belt and two “pass buttons”...

New Survey Reveals How TikTok Has Influence on Restaurant Visits

While millennials are especially inspired by the social media platform, 38% of TikTok users across all generations — or approximately 51.8 million diners — have visited or ordered food from a restaurant after seeing a TikTok video about it

MGH, a full-service marketing communications agency that specializes in restaurant franchises and more, today released the results of a new national survey of TikTok users about the social media platform's influence on their dining behaviors. The survey revealed that more than half (53%) of TikTok's millennial users in the U.S. have visited...

#FairKitchens Helps "ELEVATE" Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Restaurant & Foodservice Industry

The Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance (MFHA) announced today that #FairKitchens, a campaign created by Unilever Food Solutions, has contributed $50,000 to support MFHA's new DEI Initiative ELEVATE – a Menu for Change. ELEVATE provides restaurant, foodservice and hospitality operators with guidance on how to develop a best-in-class culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

ELEVATE was launched this summer with a landmark DEI survey conducted by MFHA, the National Restaurant Association, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), and Cornell University Nolan School of Hotel Administration...

Do Good Chicken Reports 10 Million Pounds of Food Surplus Saved From Landfills in First Six Months 

Do Good Chicken™, the first chicken brand that fights food waste and combats climate change, reports it has diverted more than 10 million pounds of healthy surplus grocery food from landfills, after community donations are made, to upcycle into nutritious chicken feed. The milestone comes just six months since Do Good Chicken's spring 2022 retail launch and equates to saving surplus grocery food weighing approximately three times the weight of the Statue of Liberty, preventing an estimated 950 metric tons of greenhouse...

Findings Show that the Hamburger and Hot Dog Still Reign Supreme at Football Tailgates

In Honor of National Tailgating Month, Hormel Foods Releases Surprising Data Around U.S. Tailgating Choices and Etiquette; From Onsite "Jobs" and What to Bring, When to Arrive and Grilling Methods; Hormel Foods Unearths National Tailgating Habits, State-by-State

Today, Hormel Foods Corporation, a Fortune 500 global branded food company, shared the results of its latest national consumer survey about tailgating preferences and etiquette. The anticipation and excitement of tailgating are reaching a fevered height, as consumers return to their favorite pre-pandemic routines. The nationwide...

New Report Showcases Consumer Priorities to Future-Proof the Hospitality Industry

A new research report by me&u, a global hospitality at-table ordering solution, has revealed new feedback addressing consumer expectations across demographics for hospitality venues of the future. In partnership with YouGov, Red Havas and Havas Labs, this report provides an in-depth look into the changes from the customer perspective and explores new predictions that operators within the hospitality industry will adopt throughout the next decade. These findings spur from a combination of expert interviews and analysis through detailed industry reporting and media. The survey was then...

New Research: 3 in 5 Americans Wish They Ate More Meals with Their Families

According to a new study about today's mealtime, 3 in 5 Americans are craving more family meals – 49% of respondents said having a family dinner is an "important way to connect," followed by making memories (46%), learning more about family in general (46%) and continuing family traditions (45%). The Honey Baked Ham Company is helping families spend more time together at the table with tasty and convenient New Family Meals in a variety of sizes and price points to fit any family occasion.

"Our research shows..."

Consumers Spend 40 Percent of Monthly Food Budgets on Restaurants on Average

In the midst of inflation, soaring energy and food costs and talks of a potential recession, restaurant meals remain a staple in consumer diets. On average, 40% of individual or family food budgets is spent on restaurants each month, according to Popmenu's nationwide survey of 1,002 consumers in May 2022. When ordering online, one-third (33%) of consumers spend $50 or more per order, on average.

Despite lingering concerns around the pandemic, more consumers are transitioning from delivery or takeout only to on-premise dining...

Nationwide Survey Reveals 81% of Americans Want Clearer Product Labeling of Plant-Based ‘Chicken’

The National Chicken Council (NCC) today announced findings from a recent national survey* of Americans regarding consumer attitudes about chicken and plant-based ‘chicken’ alternatives. Survey participants included individuals who consume meat and animal products, along with flexitarians, vegetarians and vegans. The results indicate the majority of Americans want clearer product labeling and separate shopping sections for plant-based products.

“When shopping for chicken to grill this Fourth of July weekend, people shouldn’t have to waste time at the grocery store dissecting whether they’re about to..."

Survey: More Than Half of Consumers Are Supporting Local Restaurants Over Chains

More than two years after the initial COVID-19 lockdown measures, many small business restaurants are getting back to business as usual with in-person dining in full swing. According to a new survey by NEXT Insurance, a leading digital insurtech company transforming small business insurance, consumers are eager to cast their delivery apps aside in support of local Main Street restaurants: data shows 64% of consumers have gone out of their way to support local restaurants over larger chain restaurants during the pandemic. Additionally, 29% of consumers...

New Acosta Report Finds 40% of Shoppers Buy Plant-Based Products

Acosta, a global integrated sales and marketing services provider in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, today released its latest research report, Plant-Based Eating: Trend or Fad? The report explores consumers' increased interest in purchasing plant-based meat and dairy alternatives. According to Acosta's research, 40% of today's shoppers buy plant-based meat and/or dairy products, citing health as their key motivating factor.

"Consumers' focus on healthy living increased significantly since the onset of COVID-19," said Kathy Risch, Senior Vice...

Americans Plan to Go Big for Mother's Day this Year: OpenTable Data Shows Reservations are Up 39%

After two years of canceled celebrations and plans, Mother's Day dining is back in full force. Data from OpenTable shows that Mother's Day reservations are up 39% compared to pre-pandemic 2019 and 13% compared to 2021. Americans are feeling the excitement: according to a recent survey, 45% of those celebrating Mother's Day are planning to make up for lost time by "going big" for their mom or a mom-like figure this year.

But some things never change...

More Consumers Hunting for Bargains this Easter

Consumers plan to spend an average $169.79 this year on Easter-related items, according to results of the annual survey released today by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. A total of 80 percent of Americans will celebrate the holiday and spend a collective $20.8 billion, down slightly from last year's forecast of $21.6 billion.

“Consumers are eager to return to their pre-pandemic holiday traditions, particularly as it relates to purchasing food and gifts for in-person celebrations this Easter,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay...