Food plays a central role in outdoor and vacation activities in the summer time, and new research by the National Restaurant Association shows that more than one-third of Americans plan to dine out or use restaurant takeout or delivery for a picnic, cookout or other outdoor event this Labor Day weekend.
In addition, one in five consumers have ordered restaurant takeout or delivery for an outdoor dining occasion during the summer months, and two-thirds went on a summer vacation or trip during which they visited a restaurant.
"The fact that one in five have used restaurant services for their outdoor dining activities, and that two-thirds enjoyed restaurant meals on summer vacations speaks to the essential role the nation's nearly one million restaurants play in Americans' lifestyles," said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the Research and Knowledge Group for the National Restaurant Association.
"This Labor Day weekend is shaping up to be a busy one for restaurants, as more than one-third of Americans plan to dine out or order takeout. This is especially good news for restaurants located at destinations along the Eastern seaboard that are eager to welcome guests after Hurricane Irene," Riehle added.
For the upcoming Labor Day weekend, 25 percent of consumers plan to dine at a restaurant, 15 percent plan to order takeout or delivery from a restaurant for a cookout or picnic, and 5 percent plan to both dine out and order takeout for their holiday celebration.
The National Restaurant Association's new consumer survey also asked consumers how they chose a restaurant for summer dining, as well as which factor was most important when selecting a restaurant while on a summer vacation or trip.
The majority (57 percent) said they selected an eatery during the summer based on food and service, just like at any other time of year, while 17 percent preferred to dine inside a restaurant to get out of the heat.
Sixty-six percent of consumers said they took a vacation or trip this summer and ate at restaurants while they traveled. Of those, about one-quarter selected a restaurant that was convenient to where they were staying, and roughly one-fifth each visited restaurants they hadn't been to before or that were recommended to them.
The National Restaurant Association surveyed 1,004 American adults August 25-27, 2011, about summer dining and their plans for Labor Day weekend.
For more details on the National Restaurant Association's summer dining survey, read our news release.
