Is the rate of those who stopped eating out 65 percent? What the research data says

The claim that 7 out of every 10 people in Turkey have stopped eating out is based on a misinterpretation of research data shared with the public. The 65 percent figure in question is not entirely fabricated; however, this rate does not refer to those who have completely abandoned the habit of eating and drinking out, but rather to those who state that they have cut back on their spending in this category.

The data in question is included in the Panel Postası study by Ipsos Turkey. The research compares consumers' statements regarding whether they reduced their spending in 2025 with their actual spending behavior. For this reason, the findings in the report reveal that an important distinction must be made between "cutting back on spending" and "completely giving up a consumption habit."

WHAT DOES 65 PERCENT SHOW?

According to the Ipsos study, 74 percent of participants stated that they cut back on clothing, 65 percent on eating and drinking out, 38 percent on personal care, 24 percent on food and beverages consumed at home, and 16 percent on cleaning products. However, the point the research draws attention to is that these statements do not necessarily mean that the total amount of money spent out of pocket has decreased.

When expenditures in the report are handled nominally, that is, without adjusting for the effect of inflation, it is seen that the groups who say they have cut back on their spending paid more in some categories during the year. While the spending of those who stated they cut back on clothing increased by 10 percent, the spending of those who said they cut back on eating and drinking out rose by 36 percent.

Another striking result in the eating and drinking out category is seen in the comparison group. While the spending in this area of those who said they did not cut back on their spending increased by 30 percent, the increase for those who stated they did cut back was recorded as 36 percent. This table shows that even though people feel like they are saving, their total payments may have risen due to price increases.

In other words, the consumer may have gone out less frequently, turned to cheaper options, or changed their menu preferences. Despite this, the total amount coming out of the card or wallet during the same period may increase due to inflation. For this reason, reporting the 65 percent rate as "those who stopped eating out" does not accurately reflect the situation measured by the research.

There is also no publicly available information that participants were asked whether they had completely stopped eating out in the research. Therefore, the conclusion that can be drawn from the data is that a significant portion of society is trying to reduce this expenditure; it is not that this habit has been completely abandoned at a rate of 65 percent.

SPENDING IS INCREASING, FREQUENCY MAY BE DECREASING

Although current data shows that the claim is misinterpreted, it does not mean that economic pressure is not felt in the area of eating and drinking out. High inflation, the increase in food prices, and the weakening of purchasing power lead households to act more cautiously in many spending categories. Eating and drinking out is at the top of these categories.

Data from the Interbank Card Center (BKM) also contains signs supporting this picture. The number of transactions made with bank and credit cards in the food and beverage sector fell to 200 million in March 2025, reaching the lowest level of the last 12 months. While the average monthly number of transactions was approximately 225 million in 2024, this average fell to 211 million in the first quarter of 2025.

It is also noteworthy that the share of eating and drinking in total card spending decreased from 5 percent to 4.97 percent in the same period. Despite the increase in nominal spending, the decrease in the number of transactions and the limited course of inflation-adjusted spending indicate that consumers may have reduced the frequency of eating and drinking out in the face of price increases.

The public summary of the December 2025 research by KONDA also states that those who eat at restaurants and cafes, as well as those who order food online, have decreased. However, the rates of this research are not public. Furthermore, it is reported that the decline is associated not only with economic reasons but also with cases of food poisoning and a decrease in trust in the food and beverage sector.

Another finding in the Ipsos study shows that expenditures such as eating and drinking out and meat consumption may be related to individuals' perception of happiness and well-being. According to the research, while the eating and drinking out expenditures of those who feel happy increased by 38 percent in 2025, this increase remained at 20 percent for those who do not feel happy. The rate of those who increased their spending on meat and meat products was recorded as 33 percent for those who feel happy and 22 percent for those who feel unhappy.

In conclusion, research shows that consumers in Turkey are acting more carefully in their eating and drinking out expenditures, and that the frequency of transactions and the share of this area in the budget can decline. However, the available data does not support the conclusion that "7 out of every 10 people have stopped eating out." The correct statement should be that the 65 percent segment declared that they have cut back on their eating and drinking out expenditures.