Solo diners account for nearly half of orders in 2025
Over half of these meals fall in the $10–$30+ range and include snacks and drinks.
The number of solo diners has risen sharply, increasing from 31% in 2021 to 47% in 2025, according to Yum! Brands and Collider Lab’s 2026 Food Trends Report.
Nearly half (47%) of all orders now come from people eating alone, a shift driven less by pandemic isolation and more by personal choice, with many diners using solo meals as a way to treat themselves.
The report also noted that solo dining is increasingly about self-care rather than hunting for deals.
More than half of these occasions fall in the $10–$30+ range and often include snacks and beverages.
Even in an industry focused on value, 68% of solo diners skip special offers during these outings.
The desire for customisation also extends beyond eating alone. Across both solo and small group meals, consumers are seeking choices that match their preferences.
About 44% of orders flagged as “customisable” were solo, whilst 31% were for two diners.
Supporting this trend, Toast reports that single-diner reservations jumped 22% in the third quarter of 2025 compared with the same period the previous year.
TouchBistro’s 2025 Diner Trends Report adds that 21% of people regularly dine alone, and nearly 29% do so weekly or more, with Millennials and Gen Z making up much of this growth.
