As inflation hits restaurants, consumers are looking for deals more often

Consumers aren’t sacrificing dining out, even as prices rise — but they are getting smarter about managing those bills.

The majority of Americans surveyed, 81%, said they were dining out once a month or more, and 31% say they dine out once a week or more, according to new research from the e-commerce provider Lightspeed Trading Company.

Although inflation has slowed down significantly The report found that since the peak of the pandemic, consumers still feeling financially strained are opting for takeout, value meals and happy hour deals.

Consumer price index, measure how fast prices are changing in the US economy, showing that food prices at restaurants have grow faster than grocery store items — but financial experts have tips to help you save money.

“While Americans are still dining out, they are also looking for ways to keep dining fun and affordable amid changing economic conditions. It’s all about value for diners – they want to enjoy eating out but at a reasonable price,” said Lightspeed’s CEO. Dax Dasilva said.

In May, Lightspeed surveyed 1,500 Americans as part of an international survey that included 7,500 responses overall.

Diners in the US noticed price increases as servers reduced their bills, with 69% in a Lightspeed survey saying meals were more expensive. Some people say they are seeing “shrinkage“In fact, 39% saw their favorite dishes shrink even though prices remained the same or increased.

Even if prices increase, about half of respondents said they would continue to eat out at the same price or increase the frequency of restaurant visits.

Ted Jenkin, certified financial planner and chief executive officer of oXYGen Financial Inc. in Atlanta, said consumer dining trends could be a lingering impact from the pandemic’s aftermath.

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“It started with revenge travel, and then it became revenge shopping. And now I think it’s just the way people are living their lives with the mentality of ‘I’m going to enjoy my life today, because I don’t know what tomorrow will bring,'” Jenkin said., Who is a member of CNBC Advisory Council. “And I think that’s long-term.”

According to Lightspeed, nearly half of U.S. diners, 45%, are saving more by ordering takeout boxes to enjoy leftovers later. Meanwhile, 43% are hunting for coupon deals, 39% are choosing value meals, and 36% are taking advantage of happy hour deals.

“I think as times get better, you’ll definitely see more people becoming comfortable tipping with an iPad,” said Winnie Sun, co-founder and managing director of Sun Group Wealth Partners, based in Irvine, California. She is also a member of CNBC Advisory Council.

“Today, consumers are fed up of having to tip in places where they wouldn’t normally tip,” she added.

When considering situations outside of restaurants, consumers are more likely to tip delivery drivers (61%) than baristas at coffee shops (28%) or employees working behind the counter (19%).

“People have passed the tipping tipping tipping tipping tipping tipping tipping tipping tipping when they go to a restaurant that is truly service-oriented, I think,” Jenkin said. “The days of going in and paying $7 for a cup of coffee and leaving a $2 tip, I think, are getting shorter and shorter as consumers feel the pinch on their wallets.”

• Join free loyalty clubs that restaurants offer to receive free perks.
• Go out to dinner on Monday or Tuesday when restaurants tend to be slower and may offer more deals.
• Choose two appetizers and one main dish, instead of one appetizer and two main dishes. Jenkin says this can shave $20 to $30 off your bill, and the main dishes are often big enough to split.
• Look for discounted restaurant gift cards on secondary market sites like CardCash, Raise or Ebay.com.
• When ordering on websites such as Dash Door or UberEatsChoose pickup instead of delivery to cut down on fees.
• Research the menu and plan ahead to see what dishes fit your budget.