• A majority, 59%, intend to cut back on Thanksgiving dinner expenses this year, citing worries about rising grocery costs and tighter household finances.
• Roughly two-fifths (39%) anticipate reducing the number of traditional Thanksgiving dishes to manage costs, even as some consumers consider incorporating non-traditional items like pizza, lasagna, and tacos.
• On average, consumers project spending $165 on Thanksgiving festivities this year.

ATLANTA, Nov. 24, 2025 — An increasing proportion of consumers are opting for restaurant services for their Thanksgiving meals each year; however, prevailing economic concerns are prompting them to decrease expenditures, regardless of whether they choose to dine out or prepare food at home. Over half of American consumers (53%) intend to order takeout or delivery from restaurants for their Thanksgiving dinner, marking an increase from 37% in 2024 and 32% in 2023. An additional 5% foresee dining at a restaurant on Thanksgiving Day, a figure consistent with the previous year but lower than the 17% peak observed in 2023, as more individuals prefer celebrating at home.

This information stems from a comprehensive national survey of U.S. consumers, carried out between November 16 and November 17, 2025, by the prominent restaurant technology firm .

The majority of consumers (59%) anticipate spending less on their Thanksgiving dinner this year compared to 2024. Their estimated average expenditure is $165.

Factors driving the move from homemade to professionally prepared meals?

When questioned about their reliance on restaurants for all or part of their Thanksgiving meal, consumers indicated a desire to maximize holiday enjoyment, minimize stress, and control costs.

• 63% desire to savor the holiday without the burden of cooking.
• 40% are of the opinion that purchasing all ingredients and cooking at home is either more expensive or equivalent in cost.
• 35% wish to avoid the inconvenience of ingredient shopping and meal preparation.
• 26% prefer a meal prepared by culinary professionals.
• 19% lack the time to prepare a full meal or specific dishes.

In which areas are consumers reducing their spending?

Consumers report cutting back on Thanksgiving expenses this year primarily because grocery prices have surged (69%), their household budgets are constrained (58%), or they are adopting a more cautious financial approach amid inflation and economic worries (31%).

To manage Thanksgiving expenses, consumers say they are taking the following actions:

• 39% intend to decrease the variety of side dishes and desserts offered.
• 33% are hosting a smaller gathering for the holiday.
• 31% are opting for more affordable brands of food and drinks.
• 29% are requesting guests to contribute a dish.
• 26% are selecting recipes that require fewer or less costly ingredients.
• 19% are preparing a more budget-friendly main course.

Consumers also say they are eliminating the following to make their Thanksgiving meal more affordable:

• 31% – Macaroni and cheese
• 28% – Cranberry dishes
• 26% – Sweet potato dishes
• 23% – Pumpkin pie
• 22% – Corn dishes
• 19% – Green bean dishes
• 15% – Turkey

Which dishes will consumers be presenting?

Turkey is anticipated to remain the centerpiece, with 84% of consumers intending to serve it, succeeded by ham (46%) and chicken (19%). Other offerings guests might encounter on some tables range from lasagna or other pasta dishes (15%) to pizza, tacos, and chili or stew. Almost one-fifth of consumers (19%) foresee including a fast-food item in their spread this year.

“Each year, Thanksgiving hosts increasingly express a wish to dedicate more time to socializing with guests and relishing the holiday rather than laboring in the kitchen,” stated Brendan Sweeney, CEO and Co-founder of Popmenu. “Furthermore, this year’s research highlights heightened anxieties regarding household finances, compelling consumers to forgo certain holiday traditions, seek out restaurant promotions, and implement various tactics to control costs.”

Popmenu suggests the following advice for consumers who are still making their final dinner arrangements:

• Coordinate your menu with your budget. Utilize grocery store applications to calculate the total cost of necessary ingredients, then contrast this with the potential price of a pre-prepared restaurant meal. A professionally cooked option could potentially be gentler on both your finances and your stress levels.
• Place your order directly through the restaurant’s own website. This method not only grants access to complete menus and exclusive Thanksgiving offers but also allows you to specify a convenient pickup time for your order and avoid additional third-party charges. Furthermore, you can review dish images, serving sizes, allergen information, and other specifics.
• Establish an availability notification. Leverage services such as OpenTable to check for nearby restaurant reservations. Automated alerts simplify the process of securing a table the moment one becomes vacant.

Survey Methodology

Popmenu administered an anonymous, national survey involving 1,000 U.S. consumers, aged 18 and above, between November 16 and November 17, 2025.

Regarding Popmenu
A frontrunner in restaurant technology, Popmenu aims to facilitate accessible and profitable expansion for all dining establishments. Its robust product portfolio, which integrates artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and extensive guest preference data, features digital marketing, online ordering, and on-site technologies. The organization unifies essential guest engagement tools, operating as a central digital hub for over 10,000 independent restaurants and hospitality enterprises across the US, UK, and Canada. To learn more, visit.

For Media Inquiries
Jennifer Grasz
Vice President of Marketing, Popmenu

SOURCE: Popmenu Inc.