TAKEOUT IS TOPS FOR BUSY AMERICANS

As the number of dual-income families increases and individuals continue to work longer hours or juggle multiple tasks, a new National Restaurant Association survey finds that more people are making takeout meals from tableservice restaurants a major part of their dining experience - adding convenience and value to their daily lives.

"Hard-working individuals are looking for ways to make their lives a little easier, and tableservice restaurants are responding by providing high-quality meals in a convenient manner," said Steven C. Anderson, president and chief executive officer of the National Restaurant Association. "Ordering takeout or delivery instead of cooking allows people to spend more time with family and friends, and less time in the kitchen after a long day."

According to the National Restaurant Association's Tableservice Trends 2000, the trend is particularly evident among casual-dining establishments with average check sizes between $8 and $24.99. Among those establishments, which largely have been traditionally sit-down restaurants, 57 percent of operators indicate that their customers are ordering more takeout food than they were two years ago.

The survey also reveals that approximately six out of 10 tableservice operators indicated that their customers are more interested in higher quality takeout foods, compared with two years ago. As a result, restaurant operators have responded to the trend by providing more takeout options and meeting the consumers' growing desire for convenience and value.

Overall, 22 percent of adults indicated they are ordering more takeout items than they did two years ago. And the trend is considerably more common among younger adults: more than one-third of adults age 18-24, and 31 percent of those aged 25-34 said they are ordering more takeout.

The Association's findings also indicate that nearly two-thirds of adults agree that food purchased for takeout is worth the cost, another contributing reason to the growing number of consumers utilizing restaurants for the convenient takeout option. The statistics collected in Tableservice Trendsw2000 were compiled from the National Restaurant Association's Tableservice Restaurant Operator and Consumer Surveys, which polled restaurant operators and adult restaurant consumers in October 1999.

Percentage of Tableservice Restaurant Operators Indicating that their Customers Are Ordering More Take-out Items, compared to two years ago Average check size



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The National Restaurant Association, founded in 1919, is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which is comprised of 831,000 outlets and a work force of 11 million employees. Along with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, the Association works to represent, educate and promote the rapidly growing industry. For more information, visit our Web site at www.restaurant.org.


If you have questions, contact the National Restaurant Media Relations Division at (202) 331-5944.