Skyrocketing food prices over the past few years, have influenced consumer behavior, as revealed by
a poll conducted by Givex last April, involving 1,000 American respondents. Mo Chaar, the Chief Commercial Officer of the Canada-based analytics company, remarked that the results indicated that the prevailing economic challenges have understandably changed the American people’s dining-out behavior.

The changes noted based on the results of the survey, nearly half (47%) of the respondents said that in the past year, they went out to eat at restaurants less frequently than they did in the previous year. Forty-five percent (45%) said they have also cut back on ordering food delivery.

Majority (78%) of the Americans who responded to the survey said that menu prices have been significantly higher than they were last year. As dining out has become increasingly more challenging, about 60% of the poll respondents said they are now into cooking meals and dining at home.

Price Sensitivity Increased Consumer Appreciation for Restaurant with Promotional Offers

Mo Chaar also remarked that because of the resulting price-sensitivity among consumers, a large percentage of the Americans who responded say that when deciding to dine out, they seek out restaurants with offers of promotional discounts, deals and loyalty programs. Actually, 86% said that they are overwhelmingly attracted to promotions like Buy 1 Get 1 (BOGO).

Eighty-one (81%) said they are attracted to restaurants that offer coupons and discounts, while 65% are motivated by the incentives offered by those with loyalty programs. Actually, 87% of the total respondents said that they have become a member of at least one loyalty program, citing the loyalty programs offered by grocery chains and supermarkets as the most important affiliation,