May 04, 2006
Contact: Annika Stensson (202) 973-3677, Sue Hensley (703) 582-8679

(Washington, DC) The National Restaurant Association today revealed new research showing that more than six out of 10 Americans (62 percent) who plan on celebrating Mother's Day with a special meal will enjoy it in one of the nation’s 925,000 restaurant-and-foodservice outlets. Those who will visit a restaurant on Mother's Day—Sunday, May 14—are most likely to do so for dinner with their spouse and/or mother or mother-in-law.

"Mother's Day is the most popular day of the year to dine out, underscoring the essential role restaurants play in many Americans' lives, both for special occasions and for daily meals," said Steven C. Anderson, the Association's president and chief executive officer. "Great food is part of many special celebrations, and many Americans choose to hold these celebrations at their favorite restaurants—providing for more quality time with family and friends, rather than cooking and cleaning. Taking Mom out for a restaurant meal on her special day has become part of the Mother's Day tradition for many families across the nation."

The Association's survey of 1,037 U.S. adults showed that some Americans plan on having more than one restaurant meal on May 14. Fifty-nine percent of those who will dine at a restaurant on Mother's Day will celebrate the occasion over dinner; 51 percent said they will have lunch/brunch; and 22 percent said they will visit a restaurant for a breakfast celebration to honor the special women in their lives.

In addition, the survey showed that 62 percent of adults who celebrate Mother's Day with a special meal will do so with their spouse, and 62 percent will also do so with their mother or mother-in-law. Sixteen percent said they will observe the day with their grandmother or spouse's grandmother, while 18 percent said they will share the day with someone else.

Overall, the survey showed that—whether dining in a restaurant or at home—58 percent of Americans will celebrate Mother's Day with a special meal. Younger adults are more likely than older adults to do so—71 percent of 18 to 24-year olds, compared to 41 percent in the 65-and-over age group. Individuals living in larger households are also more likely to celebrate the day with a special meal—67 percent in households of three or more, compared to 41 percent of single-person households.

The nationwide telephone survey was conducted April 27-30, 2006, by Opinion Research Corporation for the National Restaurant Association.