"Even High-Income Households 'Reduce Dining Out' — What a Canadian Survey Asks of Japan"

"Let's eat out today" becomes harder to say

A night tired from work, a weekend outing with family, or a day meeting friends after a long time. Dining out is not just about satisfying hunger; it's also a break from household chores and an opportunity to spend time with others.

The move to reduce this familiar pleasure is affecting even relatively high-income households.

According to a survey by Restaurants Canada reported by Canada's Global News on September 24, 2026, 80% of people said they were dining out less frequently due to rising living costs. This is a 5-point increase from the previous year's 75%.

The report states that the survey was conducted by Angus Reid in May, targeting 1,500 people in Canada. The dining out covered includes not only restaurants with service but also fast food. This is not just about avoiding high-end restaurants but relates to everyday meal choices.

Increased "saving" among high-income households, already high levels in low-income households

When viewed by income, the magnitude of change and the spread of the burden need to be considered separately.

※Percentage of respondents who said they are dining out less frequently due to rising living costs. Income categories are based on Global News's description.

The largest increase was seen in households with an income of $100,000 CAD or more. However, the highest percentage of those reducing dining out is among households with an income below $50,000 CAD.

The 1-point increase among low-income groups does not imply that life has become easier. It is important to note that 86% were already cutting back on dining out the previous year. On the other hand, the change among high-income groups suggests that even those previously considered relatively affluent are now re-evaluating their spending.

The term "high income" here refers to the income categories in the survey and does not equate to being wealthy. The amount of disposable income can vary even with the same income, depending on factors such as dual income, number of children, and housing costs. It is also not appropriate to simply compare Canadian income converted to yen with Japanese households of the same amount.

Moreover, the 80% figure represents the percentage of respondents and does not indicate that the number of dining out occasions or spending has decreased by 80%. The difference between those who have slightly reduced their dining out and those who hardly go out anymore cannot be discerned from this percentage alone.

"It's not that I don't want to go out to eat" but rather "I can't go as often as before"

In this survey, 61% of respondents said they would like to use restaurants with table service more if their disposable income increased, up from 53% the previous year.

It seems that the appeal of dining out itself has not diminished; rather, some people are reducing the number of times they go out due to prioritizing other expenses.

Bruce Winder, a consumer and retail analyst featured in Global News, also explains that not only food costs but also burdens from rent and fuel leave less money for dining out. He also mentions dissatisfaction with the value, where the amount paid increases while what is received decreases.

There are two judgments in household finances: whether there is room to pay and whether one feels it is worth paying for that meal. Even if income is relatively high, if the latter sense of satisfaction diminishes, it becomes a reason to reduce usage.

Complaints on social media about "not just expensive"

Related discussions on social media also show posts about price and satisfaction. The following are summaries of posts on Reddit regarding related reports from 2025 and dining out in Toronto in 2026, not direct reactions to this article. These are personal experiences and do not represent the overall public opinion in Canada.

In a thread sharing reports on dining out savings in 2025, there were voices expressing that even casual dining for a family of three is burdensome, and complaints that fast food no longer feels as cheap as it used to. There were also questions about further price increases as customers leave due to high prices.

In a thread asking about dining out frequency in Toronto in 2026, in addition to voices pointing out the total cost of dining out with family, there were posts about reducing dining out from once a week to once a month and choosing satisfying restaurants instead. This reflects the idea of wanting to keep the enjoyment of dining out even if the frequency is reduced.

On the other hand, there are comments about popular restaurants being fully booked and explanations of cutting back on expenses like clothing to spend more on meals. Dining out frequency is not uniform and varies depending on income, family composition, and what one looks forward to.

In response to a post saying "it seems like everyone is dining out on social media," there were reactions noting that the appearance on social media is not the same as reality. From the glamorous dishes flowing on the screen, one cannot tell how much that person is saving on other days.

Japan's "increase in dining out sales" coexists with consumer savings

Japan also has materials to consider this news.

According to the 2025 annual survey by the Japan Food Service Association, total sales at member stores increased by 7.3% year-on-year. The number of customers increased by 2.9%, and the average spending per customer increased by 4.3%. The increase in sales is attributed not only to the increase in the number of customers but also to the rise in average spending per customer due to price increases.

The association points out that consumers tend to save on everyday expenses but spend money on dining out during year-end, New Year, and summer holidays. Even if sales increase across the market, it does not necessarily mean that individual households feel they can afford daily dining out.

However, the Japanese survey aggregates sales and customer numbers, including new stores of member companies, while the Canadian survey is a consumer questionnaire. The timing is also different, and it cannot be concluded that the same percentage of people in Japan are reducing dining out. It is also important to note that the total number of customers in this aggregation is increasing in Japan.

A common point to consider from both is to look at dining out by separating usage scenarios rather than lumping it together.

For example, prioritize price for weekday lunches and choose favorite restaurants for birthdays. Even if the number of family outings is reduced, the satisfaction of each meal is maintained. This does not represent the reality of all households in Japan but serves as an example to understand how sales growth and saving consciousness can coexist.

Customers are struggling, but stores may not have room to lower prices

From the consumer's perspective, dissatisfaction with price increases is natural. However, the circumstances of the dining industry cannot be overlooked.

According to Restaurants Canada, the industry's average pre-tax profit margin is 4.1%, with 41% of dining businesses in deficit or breaking even. Even if sales increase, it does not necessarily create sufficient room for management.

Customers may feel "it's gotten expensive" when looking at a single bill, while stores feel "there's no profit left" after paying for ingredients and staff. These two can occur simultaneously.

For Japanese dining establishments, it is not possible to directly apply Canadian figures, but the relationship between price and satisfaction is worth considering. It's important to capture what customers value, such as easily understandable menus, sufficient portions, service, and comfort, rather than simply competing on price.

More than income, "the room left after paying" is questioned

It is premature to conclude from this survey that "dining out is over." There are people who want to enjoy dining out more, and related posts on social media also show people spending money on important occasions.

On the other hand, even those considered high-income may not dine out as frequently as before. There is a gap between the income figures and the sense of ease felt in daily life.

For Japan, it is not only the increase or decrease in dining out expenses that is noteworthy. Meals to meet friends, dinners to take a break from chores, weekends spent with family. What is being retained, and what is being given up?

Hesitation over the price of a meal reflects changes in the room for comfort in life that cannot be seen from household figures alone.

Sources

1. Global News (September 24, 2026)
   Refer to survey targets, timing, response rates by income level, and expert explanations.
   https://globalnews.ca/news/12071929/higher-income-households-eating-out-less-as-consumer-pain-bites-survey/

2. Restaurants Canada (September 24, 2026)
   Official announcement of "2026 Foodservice Facts." Check the percentage of those cutting back on dining out, intentions to use more if disposable income increases, profit margins, and business conditions.
   https://www.restaurantscanada.org/eight-in-10-canadians-are-cutting-back-on-restaurant-visits-as-affordability-pressures-worsen/

3. Japan Food Service Association "Dining Industry Market Trend Survey Annual Report for Reiwa 7 (2025)" (January 26, 2026)
   Refer to year-on-year sales, customer numbers, and average spending per customer in Japan, as well as saving tendencies and selection of usage scenarios.
   https://www.jfnet.or.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/nenkandata-2025.pdf

4. Reddit・r/canada (2025 related discussions)
   Posts regarding dining out prices, family usage burdens, and evaluations of fast food. Summarized as personal opinions, not direct reactions to this article.
   https://www.reddit.com/r/canada/comments/1nnokxl/restaurants_struggle_as_more_canadians_look_for/

5. Reddit・r/askTO (2026 related discussions)
   Posts about dining out frequency and budget in Toronto. Refer to voices emphasizing satisfaction despite reduced frequency and opinions on differing consumption priorities.
   https://www.reddit.com/r/askTO/comments/1qtm3q1/do_people_actually_eat_out_very_often_in_toronto/