The diagrams above illustrate the percentage of the average family’s food budget spent on restaurant meals and provide information about the number of meals consumed in fast food and sit-down restaurants between 1970 and 2000. Overall, there is an upward trend in spending on restaurant meals, with a significant increase in fast food consumption. In contrast, spending in sit-down restaurants saw a more modest rise.
From an overall perspective, there was a continuous increase in the number of people allocating budget for restaurant meals. Both fast food and sit-down restaurants saw steady growth. In 1970, only around 10% of the family dining budget was spent on restaurant meals. Over the following years, this percentage moderately increased to around 15%. In the next decade, restaurant meal spending significantly rose to over 20%, eventually reaching 50%.
Another notable aspect is the popularity of different types of restaurants. Fast food restaurants are among the most widespread globally. The number of consumers dining at fast food restaurants was only around 20 meals in 1970, but this figure sharply increased in the following years. Over the next 30 years, the number of meals spent at fast food restaurants reached around 90. Similarly, interest in sit-down restaurants gradually increased, reaching around 50 meals in 2000.
In conclusion, the annual number of families who spend on restaurant meals increased consistently. Therefore, fast food restaurants were the most popular dining choice among consumers.