1、January 2026What US consumers want from restaurants in 2026A new McKinsey analysis shows how cost consciousness,shifting tastes,and channel choices are reshaping the US restaurant landscape in the year ahead.This article is a collaborative effort by Ben Mathews and Katharine Mattox,with Amanda Krasn

2、ov,Jacob Marcus,Katie Pierce,and Lauren Smith,representing views from McKinseys Retail Practice.After years of steady gains,the US restaurant sector may be reaching a turning point.Although food away from home now accounts for more than half of US food and beverage spending,growth is plateauing as p

3、ersistent inflation,tariffs,and economic uncertainty are forcing diners to rethink the value of every restaurant visit.A new McKinsey analysis,drawing on insights from our McKinsey Consumer Behavior Hub and ConsumerWise survey,confirms that value and pricing remain at the forefront of consumers mind

4、sbut are not the only factors reshaping demand(see sidebar,“About the research”).Health considerations,channel shifts,and generational preferences are all influencing how and where diners choose to spend,creating both risks and opportunities for restaurant operators.In the following charts,we explor

5、e how US consumers feel about their dining experiences,where they intend to shift their spending,and what restaurant players across categories can do to regain momentum.Value and pricing remain at the forefront of consumers minds but are not the only factors reshaping demand.About the researchThis r

6、esearch combines proprietary transaction data and consumer survey insights.Using McKinseys Consumer Behavior Hub,which captures year-over-year changes in spend and transactions across more than 18 markets,we analyzed the top 20 limited-and full-service restaurant chains and the top ten menu types by