US restaurants expecting big Mother’s Day windfall

U.S. restaurants are expecting a big Mother’s Day windfall this year as public concern over COVID-19 subsides.

In a CNN poll released 4 May, just 5 percent of Americans ranked the COVID-19 pandemic the top issue facing the country, down from 20 percent in November 2021.

To maximize their allure to potential customers restaurant operators across the country are promoting both luxury and value seafood options for the 8 May holiday.

Overall Mother’s Day spending is expected to reach a record USD 31.7 billion (EUR 30 billion) this year, up from 2021’s record spending of USD 28.1 billion (EUR 27 billion), according to the National Retail Federation and Proper Insights and Analytics’ annual consumer survey.

By mid-April, Mother’s Day reservations were already 39 percent higher than Mother’s Day in 2019 and 13 percent higher than in 2021, according to OpenTable.

The National Restaurant Association found that 40 percent of Americans plan to go out or order in from a local restaurant for Mother’s Day. Its survey found 27 percent of consumers plan to dine in at a restaurant, and 18 percent plan to order takeout or delivery.

“Historically, Mother’s Day has been one of the most-popular holidays to celebrate at restaurants,” NRA Vice President of Research Hudson Riehle said in a press release. “After more than two years of limited on-premises dining, consumers are ready to return to restaurants, especially to celebrate special occasions and socialize with family and friends.”

NRF said in a press release that 57 percent of Americans are planning a special outing like dinner or brunch for Mother’s Day, “signaling continued post-pandemic prioritization of quality time with loved ones.” The average per-customer spend will be USD 41 (EUR 39), NRF estimated.

Consumers are planning to spend USD 25 (EUR 24) more this year on Mother’s Day purchases and are expected to spend a record average of USD 245 (EUR 234) each, NRF added.

“Consumers are eager to find memorable ways to honor their mothers and other important women in their lives and are willing to spend a little extra on this sentimental holiday,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said.

When deciding on a restaurant to eat out at, consumers are looking for specials and discounts, including seeking special Mother’s Day menus (46 percent), looking for a discount (41 percent), and hoping for a free add-in for moms (44 percent), NRA said.

Restaurants chains are responding with special seafood menus and discount deals for the holiday.

Long John Silver’s is offering customers a free family-sized Lemon Bundt Cake or Triple Chocolate Fudge Cake with the purchase of any of its 10-piece, 12-piece, or 16-piece family meals. 

Bloomin’ Brands’-owned Bonefish Grill is also promoting Carrot Lava Cake, along with seafood entrees such as Rockefeller “Butterfish” – Alaskan sablefish topped with creamy spinach and jumbo lump crab – as well as shrimp skewers.

Nashville, Tennessee-based O’Charley’s Restaurant and Bar is featuring several seafood entrees for Mother’s Day, including Sirloin and Crab Cake, a six-ounce sirloin steak paired with a pan-seared lump crabmeat cake drizzled with lemon sauce; Basil Butter Mahi; Cedar Plank Salmon; and Salmon Caesar.

Nobu Houston in Houston, Texas, is featuring a three-course, prix-fixe brunch of Nobu classic dishes plus a limited à la carte brunch menu, per Houston Food Finder. Appetizers include Sashimi Salad with Matsuhisa Dressing and Yellowtail Jalapeño. The restaurant’s entrées include Salmon Scrambled Egg Donburi and Tofu and Vegetable Light Garlic Sauce.

Orlando, Florida-based Four Flamingos: A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, is offering a Mother’s Day buffet that features whole Florida grouper and stuffed beef tenderloin carving stations, along with small plates such as Lobster Corn Cake Eggs Benedict with hollandaise and caviar.

Photo courtesy of Long John Silver’s