The trend: Solo dining is contributing more to restaurant spending as consumers carve out room for experiences despite rising financial stress.

• Solo diners now account for nearly half (47%) of quick-service restaurant (QSR) orders, up from 31% in 2021, according to Yum Brands’ 2026 Food Trends Report.
• Single diner reservations spiked 22% YoY in Q3, per Toast’s latest Restaurant Trends Report, although they represented less than 1% of total restaurant bookings.

Behind the numbers: Roughly 1 in 5 US consumers (21%) regularly dine solo, according to a TouchBistro survey, a slight uptick from 18% in 2024. As with most food trends, Gen Z is leading the charge: Nearly half (49%) report dining alone at least once per week, along with 46% of millennials.

Despite the financial pressures facing younger consumers, solo diners tend to be less price sensitive and more inclined to spend on indulgences like snacks and beverages.

• More than two-thirds (68%) choose not to take advantage of deals, according to Yum Brands. The majority spend between $10 to $30 per visit, underscoring that price is no object for many solo diners.
• 1 in 4 (24%) report visiting to satisfy particular cravings, a trend that is also contributing to higher sales on food delivery platforms.

The big picture: The uptick in solo dining is a rare bright spot for the restaurant industry, which is otherwise struggling to find ways to engage consumers.

• Major restaurant chains, including The Cheesecake Factory and Chipotle, warned that sales could be softer in Q4 due to the government shutdown and other headwinds.
• Nearly 2 in 5 diners (37%) report eating out less frequently, primarily due to higher prices (69%) and the desire to save money (58%), per a YouGov survey.

The drop has been most pronounced for QSRs, which are more exposed to lower-income consumers and more sensitive to perceptions of declining value. US foot traffic for QSRs declined steadily from April to September, according to our Industry KPI data provided by Placer.ai.

• Fast casual and full-service restaurant traffic has been similarly bumpy, as consumers increasingly question the value offered by so-called “slop bowl” chains like Sweetgreen, Chipotle, and Cava and opt for home-cooked meals.
• The few brands that are winning—like Chili’s and Taco Bell—are giving customers recognized value. Chili’s “3 for Me” meal deal and Taco Bell’s innovation and Cravings Value menu are helping to pull in diners.

What this means: Given solo diners’ propensity to spend more, restaurant chains need to lean into craveable offerings and experiential upgrades to lure those customers.

• Beverages are a good place to start, given healthy demand for drinks that are brightly colored and boldly flavored, particularly among Gen Zers.
• A better customer experience can both improve a restaurant brand’s value proposition and encourage diners to visit more often.