What Consumers Love About Dining Out

There’s no doubt that dining out is a huge part of people’s lives, especially those who love food. According to the National Restaurant Association, Americans spend about $709.2 billion dollars a year in restaurants. Even people enrolled in cooking schools online love going out to eat. When it’s so much cheaper to cook a meal at home, why do so many consumers love eating at restaurants?

It’s an indulgence
Whether you’re taking someone out on a date, celebrating a promotion or just spending a night on the town, the first place you’ll go is probably an exciting new restaurant – or an old favorite. There’s a mentality telling you, “you deserve it!” You had a tough week at work? Splurge on the lobster at that fancy new seafood restaurant. You stuck to your diet all week? Order the tiramisu at your favorite Italian joint. Dining out makes eating, a human necessity, an occasion.

It’s an opportunity to try something new
According to Statista, there are over 600 thousand restaurants in the U.S. Try to imagine a type of cuisine that isn’t served. Since America is such a diverse nation, there are plenty of authentic ethnic restaurants to check out, especially if you live near a big city. The possibilities are endless when it comes to trying new restaurants, meaning you never actually have to go to the same place twice.

The restaurant scene is happening
Restaurants aren’t just places that you get your food from and leave. The restaurant scene is hugely popular, with gourmet chefs serving custom meals that can’t be found anywhere else. Restaurant openings are on par with club openings, with booked reservations and two-hour wait times. Food blogs are some of the most highly trafficked blogs, and new restaurants are dying to get good reviews so they can be one of those exclusive hot spots.

It’s a social affair
While everyone likes a nice, home-cooked meal, it can also be pleasant to just relax and socialize with your friends, family or partner during a meal. It’s a reason to get out of the house, try something new, and spend time with someone you care about. Many restaurants are adopting the “communal table” set up, seating multiple parties at the same table and allowing patrons to get to know each other.

It’s just easy
Simply put, dining at a restaurant is simple. Sure, it may cost more money than cooking, but after a busy day at work, a lot of people just may not feel like stopping at the grocery store on the way home or having to prepare a meal. And that’s OK. According the United States Healthful Food Council, the average American patronizes a restaurant 5.8 times per week. This is just enough to break up the monotony of cooking dinner every night and eating leftovers at work every day. Eating is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Try new things, enjoy it.

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