Thanks for Visiting!

Register for free to get the full story.

Sign Up
Already have a Placer.ai account? Log In
Dining

Christmas Dining Trends: Three Courses of Holiday Fare

Which dining segments benefitted the most from the holiday? Find out in our Christmas dining blog.

By 
Lila Margalit
January 2, 2025
Christmas Dining Trends: Three Courses of Holiday Fare
SHARE
Explore our free tools to get timely insights into key industries
Key Takeaways
  • On December 24th and 25th, foot traffic to dining establishments slowed predictably, as many families stayed home and restaurants either closed or reduced their hours. 
  • Still, some dining segments continued to draw crowds throughout the holiday: On Christmas Eve, upscale and fine-dining venues enjoyed a 54.4% visit boost compared to a year-to-date (YTD) daily average, fueled by traffic spikes at premium favorites such as Ruth’s Chris Steak House (129.8%) and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar (125.9%).
  • On Christmas Day, visits to breakfast spots surged 53.6% above the segment’s daily average – with Waffle House (109.6%), Denny’s (79,8%), and IHOP (74.2%) all seeing substantial foot traffic increases. Other FSR chains, including Fogo de Chão (111.4%) and Benihana (103.9%) also drew significant crowds. 
  • On December 26th, all analyzed dining segments enjoyed visit upticks – led by eatertainment, which saw visits rise to 26.2% above average. 

Christmas is a time for gathering at home, but it’s also an occasion when many Americans celebrate by treating themselves to a nice meal out with family and friends. So with the holiday season drawing to close, we dove into the data to see which dining segments benefited from the holiday cheer. 

Full-Service Feasting

The holiday season is all about home-cooked meals, and most restaurants close on Christmas Day – so it may come as no surprise that visits to dining establishments dropped significantly on December 25th, 2024. Fast-casual and quick-service restaurants (QSRs) saw the steepest traffic declines of 92.7% and 83.2%, respectively, compared to a year-to-date (YTD) daily average. Meanwhile, full-service restaurants (FSRs), aided primarily by all-day breakfast chains (see below), saw visits dip by a relatively modest 58.0%.

On Christmas Eve, too, restaurant foot traffic slowed, with visits to fast-casual restaurants and QSRs dipping to 35.5% and 25.1%, respectively, below average levels. Once again, FSR led the pack with a smaller 11.0% visit decline. And on December 26th – the day after the holiday – full-service restaurants saw a 7.0% visit uptick, while QSRs and fast-casual saw visits hover just under daily averages.

Christmas Eve: A Premium Experience

But digging deeper into the data reveals a more nuanced picture of the Christmas dining scene. Throughout the holiday, some FSR segments and chains enjoy outsized visit spikes – cementing their roles as key holiday destinations for families seeking to ditch the kitchen chaos and enjoy a hassle-free, celebratory meal. 

On Christmas Eve (December 24th, 2024), for example, visits to upscale and fine dining chains surged by a remarkable 54.4% compared to a YTD daily average – fueled by visit spikes at premium chains such as Ruth’s Chris Steak House (129.8%) and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar (125.9%). Breakfast spots also enjoyed a significant 18.4% Christmas Eve visit bump, likely bolstered by seasonal offerings like Denny’s Holiday Turkey Bundle. Meanwhile, traffic at eatertainment chains and other casual dining restaurants slowed considerably – though some casual dining brands like experiential The Melting Pot and Benihana also bustled with activity.

Deck the Halls With Breakfast Favorites

On Christmas Day, it was breakfast chains that once again led the day – staying open to serve up hearty meals to those looking for an affordable holiday outing. Visits to leading breakfast spots, including segment leaders like Waffle House, IHOP, and Denny’s soared by 53.6% compared to a YTD daily average, with Waffle House in particular stealing the show with a 109.6% visit boost. 

Still, Christmas Day diners also flocked to other full-service chains that kept their doors open. Fogo de Chão, which attracted celebrants with an indulgent seasonal menu, saw visits soar by 111.4%. And after increasing by 63.2% on Christmas Eve (see above), visits to Benihana surged by 103.9% on December 25th, reaffirming the restaurant’s place in holiday dining lore (“A Benihana Christmas”, it seems, isn’t just for fans of The Office). 

Winding Down With Eatertainment

On December 26th, all the analyzed FSR segments enjoyed visit bumps, as many Americans took the day off to extend the holiday cheer. But it was eatertainment chains that saw the most pronounced traffic boost (26.2%), buoyed by families and friends looking to unwind with good food and games – many armed with holiday gift cards.

But plenty of other FSRs also thrived on Boxing Day with impressive mid-week traffic increases, including perennial favorites like P.F. Chang’s (+35.2%), The Cheesecake Factory (+28.1%), and Buffalo Wild Wings (+26.1%).

A Very Merry Showing

Food remains at the heart of the holiday experience – with elevated dining, affordable comfort food, and eatertainment all adding to the festive spirit. And in 2024, restaurants delivered very merry results. How will the industry continue to perform in the new year?

Follow Placer.ai’s data-driven dining analyses to find out. 

Learn how downtown regions across US cities are measuring up with our free tools.
Explore our free tools to get timely insights into key industries
SHARE
Get 3 brand & industry
breakdowns every week
Subscribe to the newsletter
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Get a Demo

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please provide a valid email
Please enter your email
Please enter company name

Thanks for reaching out!

One of our experts will be in touch soon

Try Placer.ai Free
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Recent Publications

Get 3 brand & industry breakdowns every week

Subscribe to the newsletter
Text Link
Ruth's Chris Steak House
Text Link
Waffle House
Text Link
Denny's
Women's Sports on a Roll: Packed Stadiums, The Sports Bra Bar & Restaurant, and Impacting CRE
Year of the Dragon, Luckiest Animal in the Zodiac: Will that Luck Hold for Asian-Themed CRE?
Washington DC: How the Population in Our Nation's Capital has Evolved Following the Pandemic
What First Half 2024 Visit Trends Tell Us About What to Expect in the Second Half
What Does Walmart’s Results Mean for Other Discretionary Retailers?
Warehouse Clubs: Younger Visitors Support Growth
Wayfair: Early Impressions from Wayfair's New Wilmette Store
We're All Mad for March Madness: NCAA Women's Basketball is Breaking All Sorts of Records
Warehouse Clubs: Finding the Perfect Timing
Ulta: A Thing of Beauty
The Sweet Smell of Success: How CPG Brands are Bringing Their Brands to Life with Experiential Stores
Urban Outfitters: High Income, Specialty Fleets Still Thriving
The Silver Lining to Mall Anchor Department Store Closures
Ulta Beauty: Store Visits and Target Partnership Driving Category Market Share
The Secret to Trader Joe's Success in 2023
Tractor Supply: Visitation Share Gains Continue Despite Weather-Related Disruptions
Takeaways from the 2024 Fast Casual Executive Summit
The Lure of Waikiki and Beyond: The Feel of Fifth Avenue on Oahu?
Target: Circle Week Shows Signs of Success
Suiting Up in Boston: Newbury Street Suitsupply Store Showing Signs of Strength
Takeaways from Shoptalk Fall
Stew Leonard’s: Specialty Grocery Still a Shining Example
Small Towns, Deepening Pockets: How Migration is Changing the Face of Boise
Studs: Reinvigorating the Accessories Category
South Asian Influence on Sports, Groceries, and Malls
Starbucks: Silver Linings After a Difficult Quarter
Shopping "High-Low": Escada and Club Monaco share space in Beverly Hills
Round1 Entertainment Expands with Spo-Cha Concept
Self-Storage: More Industry Consolidation Ahead
Self-Storage: Consolidation Driving Year-Over-Year Increases in Visits
Return to Office is Hot in Miami: Placer's New Return to Office Dashboard Launches
Restaurants: Bifurcation Here Too
Self-Storage: More Consolidation as Public Storage Acquires Simply Self Storage
Return to Office Insights: Miami and New York in the Lead
RFDC Takeaways: Lessons from CAVA and Other Restaurant Visit Share Winners
Pop-Ups Drive Excitement and Foretell Brand Demand
Restaurants: Where Do We Stand After Q1 2024
Restaurant Outlook 2024: Year of New Location Expansion Plans?
Reformation: Building an Apparel Destination
Pickleball and Padel: Saviors for Malls, but Threats to Tennis Courts?
Regional Grocery Update: Consumers Seeking Out Lower Prices
QSR Visit Trends: What Gives?
Performing Arts: Takeaways from the California Presenters Conference and Spotlight on Arizona Venues
Public Storage: Self-Storage Demand Resilient
QSR Chicken: Driving the Industry's Growth
Planet Fitness: Signs of a More Resilient Fitness Club Visitor?
Parks, Recreation Centers, and Redeveloped Malls: Community Glue
Outlet Malls: Ontario Mills Leads Black Friday, Arundel Mills Tops November Visitation
Olympics Boost: PR is Priceless
Olympic Inspiration: Is the Fitness Category Bringing Home the Gold?
Outlook for Holiday Thrifting: Inflation, Sustainability, and Gen Z Fuel Growth
Oklahoma, OK!: The Opening of Tulsa Premium Outlets Kickstarts Excitement
"Must-Have" Tenants for 2025: Top Brands to Elevate Your Outdoor Shopping Center
National Restaurant Association Show Takeaways: Who’s Winning the Food Fight?
Non-Traditional Anchors: Cheers or Jeers for Those Replacing Sears?
McDonald's: Where Do Whitespace Opportunities Exist?
Megamalls: All-Day Experiences, Entertainment, and Dining
Mercado Gonzalez: This Mexican Food Hall is a Magnet
Messi Mania hits Miami and LA
Luxury Outlet Malls: Seeing Strong Back-to-School Traffic and the Lure of Luxury
McDonald's: "Adult Happy Meal" Sets a High Bar for QSR Promotions
McDonald’s Swift E. Coli Response Should Minimize Traffic Impact, and SpongeBob’s a Hit at Wendy’s
Measuring the Impact of California’s Minimum Wage Increase on Restaurants
McDonald’s Joins the Restaurant Value Wars of 2024
McDonald’s and the Evolving State of Food Retail
How Have Winter Storms Impacted Retail Visits?
Luxury and Sustainability are the Ethos Driving 1 Hotels
Market Spotlight: How New Mexico Highlights its Cultural and Arts Scene to Drive Business and Leisure Tourism
Marine Layer: "Perfect for a 7-Day Weekend Kinda Lifestyle"
Market Spotlight: Downtown DC Breathes a Sigh of Relief as Washington Wizards and Capitals Stay Put
Kroger/Albertsons: Assessing the Aftershock
Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!: Aquariums and Zoos trends from A to Z
Limited Too: Brand Relaunch Has Millennials in Mind
Let's Get Physical! Fitness Chains in Better Shape to Withstand Economic Volatility
Kohl's + Babies"R"Us: Early Learnings from Newly Opened Michigan Locations
ICSC Takeaways: Retail Optimism, Getting Creative with Formats, Impact of Hybrid/Remote Work, and Miami is Hot
Ikea: Why Invest More in Home Furnishing Retail Now?
In-N-Out Burger: What to Expect as the Brand Moves East
Haunted Car Wash? Tunnel of Terror “Boo”sts traffic by 3x
Hispanic Grocery Chains: Celebrating Cinco de Mayo‍
Housewares Retail: Kitchen Focused Chains Still Thriving
Home Improvement: Harbor Freight and Ace Hardware Drive Outperformance through Smaller Markets
Home Furnishing: 2024 Outlook for Housewares, Mattress, and Furniture Retail
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! Popularity of Hispanic Grocery Underlines Growing Appetite for Latin Foods
Holiday 2024: Time is of the Essence
Hispanic Grocery: Customizing the Merchandise Assortment to the Neighborhood
Happy Nowruz! Celebrating Persian New Year with a Tour of Tehrangeles
Happy Lunar New Year Part 2: Vietnamese, Korean, and Pan-Asian Malls
Gifting, Paper and Books: Consumers Crave More in One Place
Golf's COVID Comeback: PGA Superstore Reaping the Benefits
GEN Korean BBQ House: IPO Filing Underpins the Importance of Experiential Dining
Formula 1: U.S. Grand Prix Expansion Winning Key Visitor Segments
First Watch: Leading the Full-Service Breakfast Recovery
Equinox: What Price Would You Pay for Increased Longevity?
Fine Dining Restaurants: Is 6:00 PM Really the New 8:00 PM?
Dutch Bros: Data Reinforces Behavioral Trends, but Also Longer-Term Unit Goals
Elevated QSR Drive-Thru Formats: Do They Work?
Faherty: For Life's Great Moments
Dutch Bros: Innovation Driving Daypart Mix Changes; Long-Term Growth Plans On Track
Dodger Mania Boosts LA Economy During Run-Up to World Series