Restaurants are the Top Choice for Mother’s Day

Washington, D.C. – Whether it’s wanting to treat mom to a special menu or just not wanting to do the dishes, this year for Mother’s Day on May 8, nearly half of consumers will let restaurants do the cooking. According to new research by the National Restaurant Association, 4 in 10 consumers plan to go out to or order in from a local restaurant.

“Historically, Mother’s Day has been one of the most popular holidays to celebrate at restaurants,” said Hudson Riehle, National Restaurant Association senior vice president of Research. “After more than two years of limited on-premises dining, consumers are ready to return to restaurants, especially to celebrate special occasions and socialize with family and friends.”

According to the survey, 27% of consumers plan to go out to a restaurant. In addition, 18% of consumers plan to order takeout or delivery. Some plan to do both on Mother’s Day.

When deciding on a restaurant to eat out at, consumers are looking for specials and discounts, including:

• 46% looking for special Mother’s Day menus
• 44% hoping for a free add-in for mom, such as a special cocktail, dessert, flowers, or chocolates
• 41% looking for a Mother’s Day discount

When it comes to ordering takeout or delivery, add-ins and bundles top the list, including:

• 51% hoping for a free add-in for mom, such as a special cocktail, dessert, flowers, or chocolates
• 49% looking for free or discounted delivery
• 44% wanting multi-course meal bundles

Lunch and dinner are the most popular meals among Mother’s Day diners this year. According to the survey, 48% of individuals planning to go out will go for lunch, 45% are planning to go out for dinner, while 30% will meet for brunch, and 21% for breakfast.  

“The draw for restaurant prepared meals is that they allow more time for socializing, which is something that consumers have been missing for the last two Mother’s Days,” said Riehle. “And because consumers haven’t been able to use restaurants as often as they would have liked, especially for on-premises meals, the holiday is an exciting opportunity to return to an old favorite or try a new local venue.”

The national online survey of 1,000 adults was conducted April 22-24 by Engine for the National Restaurant Association. Get the full survey results here.