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Not all Americans love cooking, and a new report from US Foods finds that dining at sit-down restaurants is now America's #1 preferred way to dine, and it's becoming even more popular than ordering takeout or delivery in 2024. 

On average, Americans dine out almost 5 times a month, while ordering delivery 3 times per month. This is a dynamic shift from 2023, when Americans dined out 3 times a month and ordered delivery 4.5 times a month. 

  • Americans spend a monthly average of $191 dining out
  • 72% go to restaurants because they don’t feel like cooking
  • Americans spend a monthly average of $88.50 ordering takeout/delivery
  • 90% prefer holding a physical menu over using a QR code

Why do Americans prefer dining out at restaurants? The appeal centers around the overall experience, with factors like atmosphere (66%), socialization (52%), and special occasions (44%) being key drivers.

You can find the full report here, which includes more Year-over-year insights on restaurant preferences, tipping practices, and the expectations of Americans during the dining experience.