Dining habits are becoming increasingly fluid as traditional mealtimes fade, particularly among younger consumers who prioritize convenience and indulgence. During periods of economic uncertainty, more dining occasions shift to the home. However, there are numerous opportunities to effectively reframe and communicate the value that foodservice offers.
Snacking continues to be an opportunity for foodservice, with portable, convenient snack foods and beverages appealing to diners’ motivations. While not every diner prioritizes snacks from foodservice daily, there is strong potential for capturing impulse-driven purchases: four in 10 diners believe that combining snacks can create a satisfying meal, reflecting a shift in how consumers define a “meal.” However, as off-premise dining grows in popularity, maintaining a sense of hospitality presents a challenge. With many diners favoring pickup or delivery over traditional dine-in experiences, operators must rethink how to convey warmth and care in these non-traditional formats.
What remains constant is diners’ desire for convenience paired with a touch of indulgence. These core pillars provide a solid foundation for foodservice operators to focus on as they navigate changing dining habits.
This report looks at the following areas:
- How restaurant ordering frequency changes throughout the day
- Key factors influencing diners’ breakfast, lunch, and dinner orders
- Relationship between dining dayparts and ordering methods
- Factors diners most value when treating themselves
- Dining behaviors and attitudes toward foodservice across dayparts
As dayparts blur, meeting the core, consistent need for convenient yet special dining experiences will help operators stay relevant and versatile.
Varchasvi, Research Analyst
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Executive Summary
- What you need to know
- Market predictions
- What consumers want & why
- Opportunities
- Capture morning sales through consistent, strategic promotions
- Quick, memorable dining is key to success
- Promise speed and convenience in snack offerings
- Graph 1: preferred ordering methods by daypart – non traditional dayparts, 2025
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MARKET DYNAMICS
- Market context
- Consumer sentiment falls for the fifth consecutive month
- Graph 2: consumer sentiment index, 2022-25
- AFH dining continues to get pricier
- Graph 3: consumer expenditures for food, AH and AFH, 2024-25
- Market drivers
- Higher-income remote workers are a key market to watch
- Graph 4: high-frequency diners, by daypart, employment and work from home status, 2025
- Flexible pricing strategies still have a place in the industry
- Off-premise dining leads due to convenience and cost
- Graph 5: foodservice ordering in the past three months, by ordering method, 2025
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Consumer Insights
- Consumer fast facts
- Ordering frequency by daypart
- Diners treat themselves with dinner, skip breakfast costs
- Graph 6: ordering frequency by daypart, 2025
- Lifestyles, accessibility drive frequency
- Graph 7: high-frequency diners, by various demographics, 2025
- Ordering motivators per daypart
- Dining priorities shift throughout the day
- Graph 8: ordering motivators by daypart, 2025
- What stays consistent throughout the day?
- Graph 9: select ordering motivators, by daypart – consistent drivers, 2025
- What changes throughout the day?
- Graph 10: select ordering motivators, by daypart – shifting drivers, 2025
- Daypart playbook: connecting with diners from AM to PM
- Understanding daypart motivations by gender and generation
- Ordering methods per occasion
- Capitalize on impulse snacking with fast, flexible menu options
- Graph 11: preferred ordering methods by daypart, 2025
- The popularity of off-premise dining isn’t a setback
- Graph 12: preferred ordering methods by occasion – off-premise ordering, 2025
- Who’s driving delivery orders?
- Graph 13: preferred ordering methods by occasion – delivery, by generation, 2025
- Who’s driving delivery orders?
- Graph 14: preferred ordering methods by occasion – delivery, by area, 2025
- Relaxed, indulgent mornings may increase diner engagement
- Graph 15: preferred ordering methods by occasion – Net – Any off-premise ordering, 2025
- Who’s driving dine-in?
- Graph 16: preferred ordering methods by occasion – dine-in, by generation, 2025
- Who’s driving dine-in?
- Graph 17: preferred ordering methods by occasion – dine-in, by area, 2025
- Dining decision drivers
- Diners prioritize convenience, indulgence, and emotional satisfaction
- Convenience outweighs allure in dining decisions
- Graph 18: ordering decision drivers, ranked, 2025
- Understanding low, mid, and top-tier dining priorities
- Graph 19: ordering decision drivers – Net – Ranked 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, 2025
- Practicality trumps luxury during tough financial times
- Graph 20: select dining decision drivers – Net – Ranked 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, by financial situation, 2025
- Gen Z, Millennials are ready for dining to be more inventive
- Graph 21: dining decision drivers – Net – Ranked 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, by generation, 2025
- Delivery isn’t key; prioritize accessible solutions in suburban, rural areas
- Graph 22: dining decision drivers – Net – Ranked 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, by area, 2025
- Attitudes
- Traditional mealtimes have blurred; dining is an on-demand experience
- Convenience fuels overindulgence among younger diners
- Graph 23: dining attitudes, by generation, 2025
- Innovate meals while preserving indulgence and joy
- Graph 24: dining attitudes, 2025
- Tradition and convenience divide diners’ evolving dining habits
- Graph 25: dining attitudes, by generation, 2025
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INNOVATION AND MARKETING STRATEGIES
- Launch activity and innovation
- Snack wraps deliver on key diner needs: convenience, taste, accessibility
- Zaxby’s is boosting late-night traffic with a limited-hours menu item
- Driving craveability at any hour: Visual appeal is key in a summertime beverage treat
- High-margin sides items appeal to interest in snacking
- Marketing and advertising
- Starbucks promises a better experience, encourages visits across multiple dayparts
- McDonald’s is expanding its hours to capture the late night segment
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Appendix
- Consumer research questions
- Consumer research methodology
- Generations
- Abbreviations and terms
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