1851

The restaurant industry has remained uncertain about when indoor dining will fully resume, but new <a href="https://morningconsult.com/return-to-dining/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=new-study-reveals-how-many-americans-are-ready-to-dine-out-again-2715641" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">research from Morning Consult</a> suggests the percentage of consumers who feel safe dining out is higher than it has been since the beginning of the pandemic. As of late April, 60% of consumers are comfortable dining out, with 73% of consumers predicting they’ll feel comfortable dining out within the next six months, according to the study.&nbsp;Last year, the percent of people who said they would feel safe dining out never passed 42%, the report states. Now, that number has been increasing steadily throughout 2021.<h4>Pent-Up Demand</h4>The study shows that customers aren’t only willing to eat in a restaurant, but are also eager to do so — 46% of Americans say they are excited to dine out again, including 51% of baby boomers and 47% of millennials.&nbsp;This changing consumer sentiment is garnering parallel excitement in the restaurant industry, which has <a href="https://1851franchise.com/national-restaurant-association-survey-finds-17-of-all-us-restaurants-closed-in-economic-free-fall-2714475">struggled tremendously</a> over the past year. In Q1 of 2021, several brands have already seen pent-up consumer demand for indoor dining and have expressed enthusiasm about the future as vaccination rates increase across the country.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-deno-01300014?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=new-study-reveals-how-many-americans-are-ready-to-dine-out-again-2715641" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">David Deno</a>, CEO of <a href="https://franchise.bloominbrands.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=new-study-reveals-how-many-americans-are-ready-to-dine-out-again-2715641" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Bloomin' Brands</a>, <a href="https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2021/04/29/bloomin-brands-blmn-q1-2021-earnings-call-transcri/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=new-study-reveals-how-many-americans-are-ready-to-dine-out-again-2715641" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">discussed</a> his anticipation for the emerging demand during his company's Q1 call, noting it could "provide meaningful and rapid growth opportunities for this business on the other side of the pandemic.” <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-m-gordon-a82ba410?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=new-study-reveals-how-many-americans-are-ready-to-dine-out-again-2715641" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">David Gordon</a>, president of the Cheesecake Factory, shared a similar attitude during the brand's <a href="https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2021/04/29/cheesecake-factory-inc-cake-q1-2021-earnings-call/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=new-study-reveals-how-many-americans-are-ready-to-dine-out-again-2715641" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Q1 earnings call</a>, saying he has already seen "incredible pent-up demand for the experiential dining occasions.”<h4>Indoor Dining Versus Outdoor Dining</h4>Although recently updated CDC guidance says fully vaccinated people can <a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-fast-food-and-quick-service-restaurants-are-reacting-to-new-cdc-recommendations-2715610#stories">gather in small groups indoors</a>, the CDC also released a <a href="https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/cdc-on-site-restaurant-dining-leads-to-increased-rate-of-covid-19-cases-d/596258/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=new-study-reveals-how-many-americans-are-ready-to-dine-out-again-2715641" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">study</a> in March showing COVID-19 illnesses and death rates are higher in areas that allow on-site restaurant dining. These conflicting findings could be part of the reason why customers’ comfort levels with outdoor dining remain higher than indoor dining, especially as <a href="https://1851franchise.com/small-businesses-bash-politicians-after-states-lift-covid-19-restrictions-2715180">restrictions loosen</a> across the country.&nbsp;According to the Morning Consult study, 68% of U.S. adults said they would feel safe eating outside,&nbsp; compared to 57% who said so about indoor dining. Since the start of the pandemic, over half of all casual restaurant operators have added outdoor dining, according to a State of the Restaurant Industry <a href="https://go.restaurant.org/rs/078-ZLA-461/images/2021-State-of-the-Restaurant-Industry.pdf?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=new-study-reveals-how-many-americans-are-ready-to-dine-out-again-2715641" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">report</a>.&nbsp;<h4>The Future of Off-Premise Dining</h4>Although indoor and outdoor dining is picking back up, the demand for off-premise service isn’t going anywhere. Off-premise sales have remained consistent through April, even as the comfort level with dining out has increased and restrictions have eased, according to the Morning Consult’s research. The study finds that 42% of consumers order takeout at least weekly, compared to 33% dining in."I think it just demonstrates the power of both access modes, meaning the in-restaurant dining access mode and the digital access mode," Chipotle’s CEO <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianniccol?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=new-study-reveals-how-many-americans-are-ready-to-dine-out-again-2715641" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Brian Niccol</a> said in response to the brand’s record-breaking digital sales during <a href="https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2021/04/21/chipotle-mexican-grill-inc-cmg-q1-2021-earnings-ca/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=new-study-reveals-how-many-americans-are-ready-to-dine-out-again-2715641" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">the company's Q1 call</a>. "Consumer sentiment is definitely one where they want to get back out to socialize and get back into the dining rooms and have that in-dining experience."

New Study Reveals How Many Americans Are Ready To Dine Out Again

1851 Franchise

As vaccination rates pick up around the country, the sentiment around eating indoors is more positive than it has been since the pandemic started. 

new-study-reveals-how-many-americans-are-ready-to-dine-out-again

New U Women's Clinic & Aesthetics

image of New U Women’s Clinic & Aesthetics employees and franchise

How New U Is Redefining Women’s Health, Offering a Scalable Franchise Opportunity as the Next Big Category Creator in the $21 Billion Med Spa Industry

womens-health-wellness-franchise-new-u

image of New U Women’s Clinic & Aesthetics Founder and CEO Dr. Rachel Fidino

The Void in Women’s Health, Solved By a Two Time Cancer Survivor: How New U Built Care that Didn’t Exist and is Eying National Franchise Expansion

new-u-womens-clinic-consumer-positioning

SweatHouz

SweatHouz Expansion - Tribeca Opening and 12 NYC Franchise Units - 1851 Franchise

SweatHouz Franchise Expands Into New York City With 12-Unit Development Agreement Across Manhattan and Brooklyn

sweathouz-new-york-tribeca-expansion

DoodyCalls

How This Family Built a Fast-Growing DoodyCalls Business in Greensboro, North Carolina

families-in-franchising-robert-thomas-doodycalls-greensboro

Sparkle Squad Window Cleaning Services

Sparkle Squad Franchise - Ryan Fraser - Franchisee Feature - 1851 Franchise

Commercial Real Estate Veteran Leverages Commercial Work To Grow Sparkle Squad Franchise

sparkle-squad-franchise-new-jersey-ryan-fraser

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Hardee's Franchise - ARC Burger Lawsuit - 1851 Franchise

Hardee’s Lawsuit Targets Franchisee as 77 Restaurants Prepare to Shut Down

hardees-franchise-closures-arc-burger-lawsuit

Domino's Franchise - North Pole - Dec 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Domino’s Pizza Brings Delivery Cheer to North Pole, Alaska

dominos-pizza-franchise-north-pole-alaska

California Pizza Kitchen’s Sale Is the Latest in the Era of PE-Backed Turnarounds in Franchising

california-pizza-kitchens-sale-is-the-latest-in-the-era-of-pe-backed-turnarounds-in-franchising

Buying a fitness franchise, people exercising

Boutique vs. Big Box Gym Franchises: Which Offers Best ROI in the $7 Billion Fitness Market?

buy-fitness-franchise-boutique-big-box-comparison

Pieology Pizza Enters Chapter 11 Following Costly Bid To Save Struggling Stores

pieology-pizza-files-chapter-11-bankruptcy

AI-related job cuts, October U.S. job cuts, American job cut record

AI-Fueled Layoffs Reshape the U.S. Job Market — And Highlight Franchising’s Resilience

ai-job-cuts-franchising-path-forward

Paris Baguette Welcomes Zac Sulma as New Chief Operating Officer

new-coo-zac-sulma

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

As Starbucks and Dunkin’ Navigate a Changing Market, New Coffee Players Keep Gaining Ground

starbucks-dunkin-franchise-coffee-market-trends

Do You Qualify? A Look at the Chick-fil-A Franchise Requirements

do-you-qualify-a-look-at-the-chick-fil-a-franchise-requirements

The Top 15 Pet Supplies and Retail Franchises for 2025

the-top-15-pet-supplies-and-retail-franchises

Scenthound Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

scenthound-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Ellianos Coffee Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

ellianos-coffee-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Christmas Decor Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

New Study Reveals How Many Americans Are Ready To Dine Out Again

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS