30 Million Americans to Make Restaurants Part of Their Thanksgiving

The National Restaurant Association estimates that 14 million Americans will visit a restaurant for a Thanksgiving meal this year, and an additional 16 million will use restaurant takeout to supplement a meal at their own or someone else’s home.

In addition, 32 million Americans are expected to dine out while shopping on Black Friday, according to new research by the Association. The new research also shows that convenience is the primary reason for making restaurants part of Thanksgiving celebrations.

“In today’s activity-rich, time-poor society, restaurants play an important role in bringing friends and family together to share a holiday meal for Thanksgiving,” said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the Research and Knowledge Group for the National Restaurant Association.
“Our research clearly shows that the convenience of restaurant meals – not having to shop, cook and clean up – drives consumer behavior and will lead millions of Americans to patronize restaurants this Thanksgiving,” he said.

“In addition, 20 percent of adults say they plan to go shopping on Black Friday, November 25, and of those, nearly seven out of 10 plan to visit a restaurant while on their shopping trip. Savvy diners can also do some holiday shopping while enjoying their restaurant meal by purchasing restaurant gift cards. Our research also shows that restaurant gift certificates top the list of gifts consumers want to receive on special occasions,” Riehle said.

When asked about the top reason for using restaurant services this Thanksgiving, 63 percent of consumers said that the convenience of using restaurant-prepared takeout items for all or part of their Thanksgiving meal allows for more time with family and friends. Thirty-one percent said they plan to dine in a restaurant for a Thanksgiving meal because they prefer to not cook a big meal and deal with the cleanup that goes along with it.