The surge in remote work has sent ripples through the restaurant industry, prompting a closer look at its influence on dining habits, especially during work hours. At Esplanda, we delved into the dining behaviors of the U.S. remote workforce to uncover key insights and actionable marketing strategies for restaurant operators.

Insights from the Remote Dining Landscape:

Key Findings:

Lunch Takes the Lead: 75% of respondents working from home indulge in lunch out during the workweek, with 31% doing so at least thrice.

Dinner Not Far Behind: Close behind, 73% get dinner out at least once a week, with 27% opting for dinner out three times or more during the workweek.

Coffee and Breakfast Trends: While coffee and breakfast are less popular, 59% indulge in coffee weekly during the workday, and 56% grab breakfast at least once a week.

Age Dynamics:

Lunch Dominates for the Younger Crowd: The 18-29 age group leads in lunch outings, with 84% enjoying it weekly, including over 45% opting for lunch at least thrice.

Dinner More Popular with Older Diners: For millennials and younger Gen Xers, dinner is significant, with nearly three-quarters dining out at least once a week. This jumps to 80% for 30-44 year-olds.

Encouraging Workday Dining:

Top Incentives: BOGO deals (47%), loyalty programs (43%), and discounts on specific weekdays (40%) top the list of offers that encourage work-from-home diners to choose restaurant dining, takeout, or delivery during the workday.

Age-specific Preferences: Discounts for loyalty program members stand out for 18-29 year olds, while a separate low-cost value menu is favored by work-from-home diners over 60.

Esplanda's research not only unveils the shifts in dining patterns but also equips restaurant operators with targeted marketing tactics to maximize the potential of the evolving work-from-home landscape. Explore the nuances, adapt strategies, and thrive in this new era of dining preferences.