Washington, D.C. – New research released today from the National Restaurant Association finds that that nearly two in five American adults plan to dine out on May 14, and 21 million will order restaurant takeout or delivery. These statistics have remained consistent over time, keeping Mother’s Day as the most popular holiday on which to dine out, followed by Valentine’s Day and Father’s Day. Nearly half of Mother’s Day restaurant diners plan to celebrate the mothers in their lives over dinner and at lunch. 
 
“We expect Mother’s Day to once again be the busiest restaurant day of the year as families honor the tireless efforts of mothers across the country. Restaurants remain a place for families to come together to celebrate special occasions, like this day of recognition,” said Hudson Riehle, Senior Vice President of Research for the National Restaurant Association. 
 
The online survey of 1,009 adults was conducted May 4-7, 2017, by ORC International on behalf of the National Restaurant Association, asking respondents about their dining plans for Mother’s Day. 
 
  • According to the National Restaurant Association’s survey, 37 percent of consumers plan to dine out on Mother’s Day and 8 percent plan on getting restaurant takeout or delivery. Thirty-seven percent of consumers say they will celebrate with a home-cooked meal, while 28 percent say they are not planning any special meals that day.
  • Among families with children under 18, 44 percent plan to dine out on Mother’s Day and 13 percent plan on getting takeout or delivery. In addition, consumers in the Northeast and Midwest are more likely to visit a restaurant on Mother’s Day at 41 percent and 40 percent, respectively.
  • When it comes to when Mother’s Day restaurant diners will have their meals that day, 10 percent say they will do so at breakfast, 25 percent will choose brunch, 45 percent will select lunch, and 47 percent will dine out for dinner.  Brunch is more common among older consumers – 36 percent of individuals 65 and older – while consumers age 35-44 are more likely to choose dinner (52 percent). Among households with children, 51 percent plan to dine out at lunch and 50 percent will choose dinner. *
  • When it comes to Mother’s Day gifts, having a meal with their family at a restaurant tops the list for moms. One-third (32 percent) of mothers say they would most like to have a family meal at a restaurant as their gift, followed by flowers (15 percent), jewelry (10 percent), restaurant gift cards (9 percent), clothing or accessories (8 percent), and household or home décor items (7 percent); 20 percent say they prefer to receive something other than these items. 
* Numbers may add up to more than 100 percent because some consumers plan to dine out or order restaurant takeout or delivery more than once on Mother’s Day.


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Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which comprises more than 1 million restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of 15.6 million employees. Together with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, the Association works to lead America’s restaurant industry into a new era of prosperity, prominence and participation, enhancing the quality of life for all we serve. For more information, visit us at Restaurant.org.

Contact: Mollie O'Dell