More U.S. Consumers Opt for Restaurant Meals This Thanksgiving
Over half of U.S. consumers plan to order from or dine at restaurants for Thanksgiving, while many intend to reduce spending due to economic concerns.
A recent study indicates a growing trend among U.S. consumers to rely on restaurants for Thanksgiving meals, with 53% planning to order takeout or delivery, an increase from 37% in 2024 and 32% in 2023. Additionally, 5% of consumers expect to dine in at restaurants, consistent with the previous year. The study, conducted by Popmenu from November 16 to November 17, 2025, surveyed 1,000 U.S. consumers aged 18 and older.
The shift towards restaurant-prepared meals is attributed to several factors. A significant portion of respondents, 63%, expressed a desire to enjoy the holiday without the burden of cooking. Meanwhile, 40% believe that purchasing ingredients and cooking at home is either more expensive or comparable in cost to ordering from a restaurant. Other reasons include avoiding the hassle of meal preparation (35%), preferring a professionally cooked meal (26%), and being too busy to prepare a meal (19%).
Despite the inclination towards restaurant meals, 59% of consumers plan to reduce their overall Thanksgiving spending compared to 2024. The average anticipated Thanksgiving expenditure this year is $165. The primary reasons for this reduction include rising grocery costs (69%), tighter household budgets (58%), and economic concerns such as inflation (31%).
To manage expenses, consumers are adopting various strategies. These include reducing the number of side dishes and desserts (39%), celebrating with fewer people (33%), purchasing less expensive brands (31%), asking guests to contribute a dish (29%), choosing recipes with fewer or cheaper ingredients (26%), and opting for a less expensive main dish (19%).
Certain traditional dishes are being omitted to cut costs. The survey found that 31% of respondents plan to eliminate mac 'n cheese, while 28% will forgo cranberries, 26% sweet potatoes, 23% pumpkin pie, 22% corn, 19% green beans, and 15% turkey.
Nevertheless, turkey remains the most popular dish, with 84% of consumers planning to serve it. Other main dishes include ham (46%) and chicken (19%). Additionally, some consumers are incorporating non-traditional items such as lasagna or other pasta dishes (15%), pizza, tacos, and even fast food, with 19% expecting to include a fast food dish.
The survey highlights a trend towards convenience and cost management during the Thanksgiving holiday, as consumers balance traditional celebrations with economic realities.
