{
  "id": 9619360,
  "title": "Higher income households eating out less as consumer pain bites: survey",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/higher-income-households-eating-out-less-as-consumer-pain-bites-survey",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-24T20:01:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Global News",
    "slug": "global-news",
    "url": "https://globalnews.ca/news/12071929/higher-income-households-eating-out-less-as-consumer-pain-bites-survey/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Higher income Canadians are dining out less frequently as the cost of living continues to rise, according to new data from Restaurants Canada. The organization's survey, conducted in May and including 1,500 participants, revealed that 80% of all respondents said they have been eating out less often. This sentiment was echoed by 78% of households earning $100,000 or more annually, up from 70% in the previous year. Meanwhile, 81% of households earning between $50,000 and $100,000 said they are dining out less this year, up from 76% last year. In contrast, households earning less than $50,000 have remained relatively unchanged, with 87% saying they are dining out less than last year, up from 86% the previous year.\n\nConsumer and retail analyst Bruce Winder explained the phenomenon as part of a \"K-shaped\" economy, where the economic divide between top earners and lower income brackets is growing. He noted that while the wealthy are spending more, it is not enough to mask the fact that many lower-income households are spending less. Winder emphasized that the widening income disparity has significantly affected consumer spending patterns, with those who have more disposable income planning to visit table-service restaurants more often if they had more money to spare.",
  "summary": "Canadians say they are dining out at restaurants less than last year amid the heightened cost of living, according to new data from Restaurants Canada.",
  "key_points": [
    "80% of respondents eat out less, up from 70% last year",
    "78% of households earning $100k+ dine out less, up from 70%",
    "81% of $50k-$100k households dine out less, up from 76%"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Global News",
        "title": "Higher income households eating out less as consumer pain bites: survey",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/higher-income-households-eating-out-less-as-consumer-pain-bites-survey-9621356",
        "published": "2026-09-24T20:01:49.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}