Consumers continue to seek value when choosing to spend their dining-out dollars, and that trend will likely last into the foreseeable future.
That’s according to Yelp’s 2025 State of the Restaurant Industry Report released Wednesday, which found that searches for “cheap eats,” “value meal” and “meal deal” have spiked year over year, 21%, 22% and 117% respectively from January-March.
“With prices continuing to rise due to persistent inflation and ongoing tariffs, Yelp data shows that budget-conscious dining behavior isn’t a seasonal trend—it has staying power well beyond the summer,” said a Yelp spokesperson in an email to Restaurant Business. “Even now, as we head into summer, searches for value meals on Yelp are up 215% from April to May 2025, as value remains a top priority for diners."
Indeed, chains are revving up deals as summer gets underway. Burger King launched a buy-one, get-one free promotion on its Impossible Whopper, Wendy’s kicked off 100 Days of Savings with offers extending throughout the summer, Sweetgreen has a Monday Bowl Drop for under $13 that lasts all week, and Denny’s is offering four of its breakfast Slams for under $10 each.
But consumers are also trading in restaurant lunches or dinners for small, affordable indulgences, according to the report. Searches for “sweet treat” have soared by 110%, pointing toward a trend in little dining luxuries that won’t break the bank. The popularity of cookies, pastries, shakes, smoothies and over-the-top coffee and tea drinks underscore this trend.
Plus, value can go beyond saving money in the minds—and wallets—of diners.
"Value isn’t just about what’s on the bill. We’re seeing Yelp users consider portion sizes, ingredient quality and even service in determining whether a meal was worth it,” said the spokesperson. “The shift toward value has also led diners to look for dishes they can’t easily recreate at home or restaurant experiences that feel immersive to feel their money is well spent, even beyond meal deals or discounts.”
The report’s data supports experiential dining as a value proposition. Searches for “unique dining experiences” are up 509% in early 2025, with interest in “chef’s table” increasing 36%.
“The way we eat out is changing fast. Economic pressures are making us more value-conscious, work flexibility is changing when and how we dine, and our desire for meaningful experiences is reshaping what we expect from restaurants,” said Tara Lewis, Yelp’s trend expert. “The successful restaurants of 2025 aren't just serving great food—they're adapting to these fundamental shifts by offering the right combination of value, flexibility and memorable moments that today's diners are searching for.”
Yelp analyzed search increases by measuring the frequency of phrases mentioned per million searches, comparing January-March 2024 to January-March 2025.
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