In 2006, more than a quarter of Americans reported eating ethnic food at least once a week, with more than 4 in 10 American adults eating at a Chinese restaurant within a 30-day time frame.
Nearly one-half (46%) of a household’s food budget is spent on food prepared away from home.
For the first time, consumers with higher incomes ($75K+) spent more on fast food than at full service restaurants–$796 versus $790 in 2006.
3 in 4 consumers reported changing their purchasing behaviors in mid-2006, including visits to restaurants, due to rising gas prices.