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Residents of Puerto Rico demonstrate significant loyalty towards restaurants, shown by an increase in both their usage and overall expenditure, reflecting the consistent results identified in a 2023 study.
On Thursday, the Puerto Rico Restaurant Association (ASORE in Spanish) revealed the findings of the ASORE Trends Study (EAT) 2024, conducted by The Research Office.
“This ASORE study powerfully reaffirms, more so than previous studies, that patrons cherish and require restaurants as a part of their lives,” stated José Alfonso from The Research Office. “A particularly striking finding is that 88% of respondents agree that dining out with friends or family provides them with a unique chance to socialize and is the best way to spend their leisure time.”
ASORE President Carlos Budet pointed out that “the conclusions of the EAT 2024 study confirm that Puerto Rican consumers are not just loyal to restaurants out of preference, but because these establishments have become fundamental to their everyday existence.”
“The current circumstances in the country have turned going to restaurants into a necessity that offers comfort, safety, and an opportunity to enjoy experiences in a social setting that allows them to step back from daily challenges,” Budet continued.
The study highlights that individuals appreciate dining out as a venue to bond with family and friends, as well as a way to relax and set aside daily stresses. Indeed, 80% of those surveyed expressed a preference for investing in dining experiences over preparing meals at home, reinforcing the industry’s role in the social lives of Puerto Rico’s residents.
Additional significant findings from the EAT 2024 study include:
1. Quick-service restaurants (QSR): Leading in popularity with 90% of consumers visiting, a rise of 4 percentage points since 2023. On average, patrons dine at these venues 7.4 times a month, spending $24 each visit.
2. Casual dining establishments: The second most popular choice, with nearly 50% of consumers patronizing them. Visits have risen from 2.8 times per month in 2023 to 3.7 in 2024, with an average expenditure of $52 per trip.
3. Family dining venues: Attracting 33% of consumers, who spend an average of $56 per visit.
4. Pizzerias: Regularly frequented by 27% of consumers.
5. Fine dining venues: Witnessing a rise in patronage, averaging 4.5 visits per month, with typical spending of $102 each time.
6. Overall satisfaction: Nine out of ten consumers express contentment with various facets of the industry, including delivery speed, service quality, cleanliness, and staff politeness.
7. Rise in overall spending: The average monthly expenditure at restaurants has climbed to $622 in 2024, marking an increase of $27 compared to the prior year, largely fueled by more frequent visits to specific restaurants.
8. Industry competition: While consumers are cautious with their spending, they benefit from the competitive landscape of the industry, which provides them with superior value for their money.
The EAT 2024 study was conducted through 1,000 in-person interviews across Puerto Rico, targeting individuals who had dined at limited-service restaurants (like quick-service venues) in the last three months, or full-service establishments in the past six months. Fieldwork took place from August 31 to September 22, 2024. The estimated margin of error for the total sample of 1,000 participants is plus or minus 3%.
