As economic pressures intensify, consumer behavior regarding prepared-food purchases shifted notably between January and February 2026. Data from Technomic’s 2026 first-quarter webinar Consumer and Operator Outlook Report highlights that while all major foodservice sectors faced a downward trend, convenience and grocery stores emerged as the most resilient.
Comparative Performance Across Foodservice Sectors
Technomic measured the “net difference” by comparing consumers who increased their usage of a segment against those who decreased it. Convenience stores and grocery prepared-food areas performed best, tied at negative 11 percentage points. Other segments fared significantly worse:
- Fast-food restaurants: negative 14 points.
- Coffee/snack shops: negative 18 points.
- Independent, local restaurants: negative 19 points.
- Fast-casual restaurants: negative 23 points.
- Family-style restaurants: negative 26 points.
- Fine-dining restaurants: negative 27 points.
- Casual-dining restaurants: negative 28 points.
The Impact of Rising Costs
The report attributes this decline to rising menu prices, which are driving consumers to reduce their restaurant visitation. Key findings include:
- Reduced Frequency: 46% of consumers reported visiting restaurants less often.
- Spending Habits: 50% of consumers reported buying fewer goods, an increase from 45% in the fourth quarter of 2025.
- Trading Down: 33% of consumers are choosing less-expensive restaurants, while another 33% are specifically selecting lower-cost items when they do dine out.
When asked how they would react if restaurant prices continue to rise, 48% indicated they would reduce their visitation, while 42% plan to seek out more specials and deals.
Popularity of Value Deals
To mitigate costs, consumers are increasingly leaning on value-driven offers. The most popular value strategies in the first quarter of 2026 included:
- Combo deals/individual meal bundles: Popular among 49% of consumers, up from 46% in Q4 2025.
- Dollar menu items: Chosen by 42% of consumers, up from 40% in Q4 2025.
- Buy-one, get-one (BOGO) specials: Utilized by 34% of consumers, up from 29% in Q4 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Which foodservice sectors are losing the most customers according to the report? A: Casual-dining, fine-dining, and family-style restaurants are seeing the largest declines, with net negative percentage points of 28, 27, and 26, respectively.
Q: How are convenience stores and grocery stores positioning themselves against traditional restaurants? A: By maintaining a smaller net negative difference (negative 11 points), these retailers are capturing consumers who are trading down from more expensive restaurant options.
Q: What is the most popular way consumers are seeking value at restaurants in 2026? A: Combo deals and individual meal bundles are the preferred value choice, utilized by 49% of consumers.
Sources
- Ulie, C. (2026, June 5). Convenience, grocery stores fare best among 9 locations where consumers buy prepared food. CSP Daily News.
