This report examines Hispanic attitudes and behaviors towards dining out in three main sections. The first section of this report examines a core set of demographics that both uniquely describes the Hispanic consumer and helps illustrate the role of the Hispanic consumer with respect to dining out. The second section of this report examines expenditures, comparing the average expenditures of the total population, Hispanics, and non-Hispanics. The third section analyzes Hispanic attitudes towards dining out by comparing their responses to questions against those of other ethnicities and races, as well as by analyzing questions asked exclusively of Hispanics. In this section, Mintel analyzes data from the Simmons National Consumer Survey (NCS) and the Simmons National Hispanic Consumer Survey (NHCS), as well as results from its own exclusive custom research.

Wherever possible, the data was analyzed to compare not only Hispanics and the overall population, but the non-Hispanic population as well. In addition, where data was available, the Hispanic population was segmented by characteristics associated with acculturation and other cultural differences. Specifically, Hispanics were segmented by nativity (whether born in the U.S. or another country), language spoken in the home, and country of origin or heritage.

This report covers Hispanic eating habits at fast food/drive-in and family/steak house restaurants. It examines the percentage of respondents who eat specific meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks) at these two types of restaurants, the frequency of dining at these restaurants, and usual dining companions.

It also examines findings from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Expenditure Survey, including spending on food at home compared with food away from home. In addition, it discusses spending at different venues on specific meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and snacks. Lastly, with the assistance of exclusive custom research, it examines the Hispanic dining out evening meal, in terms of the types of restaurants visited, restaurant attributes that attract Hispanic customers, opinions towards fast food restaurants, and factors that would motivate further dining out.