Consumers cutting back spending in these areas…
Consumers say they are scaling back personal expenses across the board, impacting retailers, restaurants and other businesses.
As tariffs, geopolitical tensions and other factors fuel economic uncertainty, 67% of U.S. consumers are reducing spending on everything from what they eat and what they wear to travel and leisure activities, alcohol consumption, and more, according to research by restaurant tech company Popmenu. Three-in-four consumers (75%) are concerned that the U.S. may go into a recession this year.
When asked to identify top areas where they are cutting back this year compared to last year, a majority of consumers pointed to restaurants (61%), followed by new clothes/shoes (52%) and entertainment (49%). (See the complete list at end of article.)
Restaurant and Grocery Trends
According to Popmenu's study, consumers currently spend $115 on restaurants and $235 on groceries every week, on average. More than half (57%) of consumers dine at or order from restaurants at least twice a week.
The highest percentage (44%) prefer takeout, where they can avoid delivery fees and receive their food faster, while 34% prefer dining at the restaurant and 22% prefer delivery. When consumers were asked to identify the types of restaurants they frequent most often, quick service restaurants ranked highest.
In addition to curtailing restaurant expenses, consumers are actively working to save on groceries by taking the following measures:
- Purchasing cheaper or generic food items (49%)
- Purchasing fewer snacks (47%);
- Only buying necessities (43%); and
- Using coupons (43%).
Here are the top areas consumers said they are cutting back in this year compared to last year.
- 61% - Restaurants
- 52% - New clothes/shoes
- 49% - Entertainment
- 47% - Travel
- 38% - Hobbies
- 34% - Groceries
- 33% - Streaming subscriptions
- 32% - Alcohol consumption
- 27% - Sporting events
- 27% - Personal grooming
- 22% - Charitable donations
Methodology
Popmenu conducted an anonymous survey of 1,000 consumers, ages 21 and older, across the U.S. from June 16 to June 17, 2025.
