After two years defined by inflation fatigue and cautious spending, restaurant operators are entering 2026 with challenges and opportunities – consumers remain selective, but they're still dining out. Revenue Management Solutions (RMS) Q4 2025 consumer research reveals that stability is returning. Reported visit frequency has leveled off across segments, yet 34 percent of respondents are increasing their restaurant spend (up from 22 percent last year). While 70 percent still perceive restaurant prices as high, the data reveals clear opportunities for brands willing to be precise about pricing, creative with their menus and relentless about loyalty. Here are five trends that will separate winners from the rest, and what you need to do now. 1. The Traffic Trap: Repeated Frequency Is Your Growth Engine Reported restaurant visits dropped in 2025, but the story isn’t uniform. Younger diners are actually increasing visits, and among those spending more at restaurants, 31 percent cite ordering more frequently as the reason—a 13-percentage-point jump from 18 percent in 2024. Translation: loyalty and habit-building aren't just nice-to-haves anymore. They're table stakes. This dynamic underscores what RMS CEO John Oakes describes as balanced growth — where traffic and average check rise together. Higher prices can drive short-term profits, but they risk long-term growth if they turn off loyal customers. How to prepare: Focus less on one-time traffic spikes with deep discounts and more on identifying your most profitable, high-frequency guests. Who visits twice a week instead of once? What makes them tick? Design loyalty programs, targeted offers and…
