Study: Consumers to cut back on restaurant spending — even at QSRs
High prices are pushing consumers away from dining out in an effort to cut costs.
That’s according to new data released by SmartSense by Digi, an Internet of Things (IoT) Sensing as a Service solutions provider, which noted that 66% of consumers are cutting back on dining overall as 59% of consumers report worsening economic conditions over the past six months.
The most common type of restaurant consumers plan to curb spending at is full-service restaurants, with 78% reporting that they plan to do so. Nearly seven-in-10 (69%) say they will decrease spending at fast-casual restaurants, primarily fast counter service locations with customizable order options. Fifty-eight percent of respondents say they plan to decrease spending at quick-serve restaurants, such as traditional drive-thru fast-food options.
“Our report underscores that consumers continue to value the healthy, flexible options fast-casual chains provide,” said Guy Yehiav, president of SmartSense by Digi. “However, they’re still cutting discretionary spending, and the fast-casual sector is not immune to this shift. While financial pressures may be the main reason consumers forgo their go-to burrito or salad bowl in 2026, they are also offering clear, actionable feedback on persistent pain points.”
With restaurant spending decreasing, chains are under more pressure to meet customers’ standards. According to the survey, 93% of consumers indicate that the cleanliness of dining areas impacts perceptions of food safety, while 79% say restaurant reputation drives their perceptions of restaurant food safety.
Nearly six-in-10 (57%) of those surveyed say inconsistent experiences across locations would have the same effect and prevent returning, while 50% cite disorganized staff as a reason to stop returning, and 42% point to slow service.
Sixty-nine percent of respondents say they would be more likely to visit a restaurant that publicly shares its use of technology to continuously ensure food safety.
[READ MORE: Restaurant industry to see sales rise, jobs added in 2026]
“Increasing regulation and complexity in the restaurant industry are already putting pressure on operators to prioritize food safety, compliance and operational efficiency,” added Yehiav. “Our findings show that consumers want restaurants to take action in these areas too, and enforcing brand, safety and operational standards shouldn’t be treated as box-checking exercises, but as strategic investments that build trust, strengthen loyalty, and drive revenue for years to come.”
SmartSense by Digi’s Counter Intelligence Report: State of Fast Casual in 2026 is based on a survey of 1,000 U.S. adults.
