The Kiplinger Monitor - statistics about eating dinner out - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine, Oct, 2000 by Magali Rheault

EATING OUT | For the love of food

486,899 Number of food-and-drink establishments in 1997, a 24% increase from 1987.

12,658 Total number of McDonald's outlets in the U.S.

4.2 The number of meals, including lunches, that the average American eats out each week.

$2,030 Average annual household expenditure in 1998 for food away from home, up 22% from 1993.

$2,780 Average annual household expenditure in 1998 for food at home, up 2% from 1993.

$33.17 Average tab for a meal for one person in New York City.

$136 MILLION The amount that's waiting to be spent by consumers every day at 4 P.M. as they decide what to eat for dinner.

42% Percentage of adults with a cell phone who admit to using it while dining in a restaurant.

78% Percentage of individuals who think that the type of food they eat is more important than the amount of food they eat when watching their weight.

SOURCES: American Institute for Cancer Research, Bureau of Labor Statistics, McDonald's Corp., National Restaurant Association, Restaurants & Institutions, Zagat