Higher prices and changing expectations are forcing restaurants to rethink what makes a meal worth leaving home for.
1. Bringing Back Better Deals
Value is becoming part of the dining experience again. 51% of Americans say dining deals, promotions or loyalty points would make them more likely to eat out, according to OpenTable’s 2026 dining research.
2. Making Pickup Easier
Restaurants are putting more effort into pickup because customers still want convenience without paying as much for delivery. McKinsey found pickup orders increased 14% in frequency, while delivery basket values fell 6%.
3. Treating Dining Out Like an Occasion
Restaurants are increasingly selling an experience, not simply a meal. OpenTable found 61% of Americans expect dining out to feel more like a special treat than a regular habit in 2026.
4. Paying More Attention to Portion Size
Customers are becoming much more sensitive to what they receive for the price. McKinsey found poor food quality and portion size were the two biggest reasons diners felt a restaurant visit wasn’t worth the money.
5. Rethinking Breakfast
Breakfast isn’t producing the growth it once did. McKinsey found breakfast spending growth is now slower than every other major restaurant daypart, prompting some chains to experiment with smaller portions, lower prices and drinkable breakfast options.
6. Putting Humans Back Into Fast Food
After years of kiosks and app ordering, restaurants are rediscovering the value of actual hospitality. McDonald’s is retraining more than two million employees globally through its new hospitality initiative, while other major chains are also emphasizing friendlier service.
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